Robotics, the Internet of things, 3D printing – all buzzwords which quite plainly demonstrate on a daily basis the breathtaking speed with which the wheel of time turns and how new technologies are shaping our everyday lives. We assess current trends, identify their consequences for recycling and share these issues with you.
Motion
Mandatory participation with exemption option – the Council of States backs the voluntary take-back system
In December 2017, the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy Committee (ESPEC) of the Council of States instructed the Federal Council to promptly implement the “mandatory participation with exemption option” principle for the take-back and recycling systems for electrical equipment.
In the meeting on 5 September 2017, ESPEC unanimously approved a motion instructing the Federal Council to implement the “mandatory participation with exemption option” principle for the take-back and recycling systems for electrical equipment. The committee felt that this method would provide funds quickly to ensure financial security for the disposal of old electrical equipment. Anyone importing or manufacturing and selling equipment appearing on the Ordinance on the Return, Taking Back and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (ORDEE) list in Switzerland in the future should pay an advance disposal fee (ADF) to a private organisation appointed by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). Those affiliated with a voluntary take-back system should be released from this obligation.
The trigger for this motion was the postulate by Peter Hegglin, “Waste electrical and electronic equipment”. Cost-covering and financing of collection points based on the polluter-pays principle.”, which was put forward during the same meeting. The committee unanimously asked the Council of States to reject the postulate and formulated their own motion instructing the Federal Council to promptly implement the “mandatory participation with exemption option” principle for the take-back and recycling systems for electrical equipment.
In December 2017, the Council of States approved this motion 36 to 4 and Peter Hegglin recalled the postulate. In the next step, the National Council will evaluate the motion. Once both councils have approved the motion, the Federal Council will receive the instruction to adapt the ordinance.
The three take-back and recycling systems SENS, Swico Recycling and Swiss Lighting Recycling Foundation (SLRS) support the motion and advocate its adoption.
A short for the eRecycling
Proper disposal of electronic devices isn’t hard. We use Bella the coffee machine to demonstrate how easy and convenient it is here in Switzerland. The informational video from SENS eRecycling also explains why a federal motion is necessary.
WEEE Forum
Global competence centre benefits from Swiss expertise
The WEEE Forum is the global competence centre for eWaste. In 2017, our Managing Director Heidi Luck was elected as Chairwoman of the organisation. For us, this is a clear sign that Swiss recycling expertise is valued by the global community.
Alongside WEEE Europe and WEEELABEX, the WEEE Forum is one of the large international organisations that SENS eRecycling has been involved in for many years.
The WEEE Forum is made up of 34 non-profit organisations from around the world that are active in the field of eWaste. These are the organisations that are responsible for taking back, disposing of and recycling electronic devices and electronic waste. The organisation’s most recent success is the fact that it has gained four new members – WEEE systems from Cyprus and Iceland and, for the first time ever, two systems from overseas: North America (Canada) and Australia/New Zealand. The WEEE Forum’s goal is to increase their membership and, in particular, to strengthen their cooperation with systems outside of Europe.
The WEEE Forum helps its members with operational issues, establishing systems and reporting. The organisation is a leader in all aspects of eWaste and is dedicated to the introduction and implementation of global guidelines as well as to promoting the recycling economy. As a globally recognised competence centre, it also serves as a useful platform for its members to exchange ideas and share best practice solutions.
For example, in 2017, the topic of freeloaders was discussed in great detail around the world, and the enforcement of mandatory recycling guidelines was advanced. One milestone from last year is the completion of the ProSum (Prospecting Secondary Raw Materials in the Urban Mine and Mining Wastes) project. ProSum is the first European database for secondary raw materials that depicts the flow of base and precious metals as well as critical raw materials throughout their entire life cycles. The database shows the quantity of raw materials that are recovered and the quantity that are lost in the EU in used vehicles, batteries, computers, mobile phones and other high-tech products.
Another central topic for the WEEE Forum and for WEEE Europe is the increase in the scope of products covered by the WEEE Directive when it goes into effect on 15 August 2018. As a result, all electrical and electronic devices will be included in this directive with very few exceptions. At the same time, six new categories will be added to the ten categories of electronic waste that are currently in effect today. This will not only affect collection points, but will also impact the manufacturers that are forced to register and report their devices in the EU countries in question and that will be forced to recycle these devices at the end of their lifespans.
These are major topics making waves nationally and internationally and resulting in a great deal of interest. SENS eRecycling’s international network through the WEEE Forum and WEEE Europe helps us to stay a step ahead, both within Switzerland and abroad, so that we not only remain the world leader in terms of collection quantity, but also in terms of quality.