Spring cleaning with the family: disposing of electrical appliances is child's play

Electrical appliances consist of many valuable raw materials. It's not worth hoarding them: technology quickly becomes outdated, trends come and go. So let go and pass on appliances that you no longer need as quickly as possible. This will strengthen the circular economy.

Especially with children, countless toys and other household appliances accumulate in a short space of time. Many of them are electric: the latest Lego robot, the curling iron, the smartwatch or the long-forgotten talking doll. They all consist largely of metals and plastics, but also of valuable raw materials such as lithium or cobalt, which are essential for the energy transition. This is why electrical appliances that are no longer needed should be returned to the cycle as quickly as possible. The best way to do this is to do a spring clean with the whole family. This not only frees up space, but also sets an example of sustainable behavior for your children and shows them how the circular economy works. The best way to do this is to take the following tips to heart:

Tip 1: Recognize electrical appliances correctly

Show your children that anything with a plug, cable, battery or rechargeable battery is electrical and belongs in a separate collection. So:

• Toys: remote-controlled cars or drones, talking dolls, interactive learning books, Tiptoi pens, robots and electric ball, racing or train tracks...
• Music and game items: Tonie or Tiger boxes, musical instruments such as toy electric guitars or keyboards, gameboys...
• Household appliances: blenders, toasters, kettles, vacuum cleaners, coffee machines...
• Beauty and care products: electric toothbrushes, razors, hair dryers, epilators, curling irons...
• Accessories: cables, plugs, headphones, chargers, flashlights, remote controls...

If you are unsure, here is a 5-point checklist that explains in simple steps how to recognize electrical appliances.

Tip 2: Get rid of electrical appliances properly

Not every old or broken appliance should be recycled immediately. Depending on its condition and age, it may be worth repairing, passing on or selling. The easiest way to let go is to use the 3-box method:

• Box 1: This is where you collect everything you can give away or sell - e.g. to friends, family, at a flea market or via online marketplaces such as Ricardo.ch or tutti.ch.
• Box 2: This is where you put appliances that can be repaired.
• Box 3: This is where you put broken electrical appliances or toys that need to be disposed of.

Tip 3: Dispose of electrical appliances correctly

Electronic devices that no longer work or can no longer be sold or given away should be recycled. There, any harmful substances are safely removed and recyclable materials are processed. The three most important disposal locations include:

• 630 SENS collection points: Here you can dispose of your appliances free of charge.
• All retailers who sell electrical household appliances or electronic toys will take back used electrical appliances free of charge - regardless of where you originally bought them.
• The Electro Recycling Bag is particularly practical for smaller appliances. It has space for 10 kg and can be ordered directly from SENS eRecycling for CHF 5. Once the bag is full, you can simply deposit it in your letterbox. Swiss Post will collect it there free of charge.