Our vision is to lead Switzerland into a sustainable future in the recycling of electrical and electronic appliances. Each individual can make a big difference here. Nevertheless, we can be even more effective in our actions if we consolidate our strengths. We are thus exploiting our synergies with other take-back systems and working together to achieve our vision.
eWaste Forum 2017
Advantages and disadvantages of voluntary take-back systems
A show of independence and solidarity, or obligation without a say? Around 150 representatives from the Swiss recycling community discussed the advantages and disadvantages of voluntary take-back systems at the first-ever eWaste Forum. The two take-back systems SENS eRecycling and Swico Recycling hosted the eWaste Forum.
During the national eWaste Forum in Zurich, Patrick Dümmler and Fabian Schnell from Avenir Suisse presented their Switzerland-centred study “Economics of disposal and recycling”. In this study, they asked how recycling systems – and separate collection of special materials and devices in particular – can be most optimally designed. Their main focus was existing take-back systems for electrical and electronic appliances that have been established in Switzerland for a number of years. They closely evaluated both ecopolitical requirements as well as the economical incentive systems from a macroeconomic perspective.
Swiss Recycling umbrella campaign
Bring it Back
The goal of the umbrella campaign is to raise awareness among the general Swiss population that separate collection of used materials and used devices is vital for efficient recycling. Swiss Recycling’s updated 2017–2018 umbrella campaign demonstrates the many advantages of recycling. As a member of Swiss Recycling, SENS supports the umbrella campaign and is spreading the word about recycling electronic equipment with their own campaign.
Recycling offers a lot of advantages. Recycling conserves resources, saves energy, reduces greenhouse gases such as CO₂ and creates added value in the form of secondary materials. These recycled materials make it possible to reduce the depletion of primary natural resources. In addition, and highly significant in terms of environmental benefits, toxic substances are disposed of properly, which means they no longer pose a threat to the environment. Over the past 25 years, we have been able to increase the environmental benefit 3.3 times over, which means it has greatly increased. Today, recycling in Switzerland reduces damage to the environment on a level equivalent to eliminating 65 per cent of all heating oil consumption across the country.
Electronic waste myths
Hard facts regarding eRecycling
The world of electronic equipment recycling is full of half-truths, outright lies and even fake news. Our useful brochure “Five myths about electronic waste – and the whole truth” debunks these myths and gives a brief overview of the main facts about collection, recycling and disposing of electronic devices.
True or false? Test your knowledge by choosing true or false for the following five statements.
1. Waste is waste – it’s all worthless.
2. All of our electronic waste gets sent to Africa anyway.
3. The ARF makes sure waste is disposed of correctly.
4. All electronic devices sold in Switzerland include an ARF.
5. In Switzerland, it doesn’t matter if your devices are collected separately.
If you chose “false” for all these statements, then you were right. Even if these myths are persistent, they’re still incorrect. The compact, visually appealing 12-page brochure uses facts and information to debunk the five most common myths about recycling. The German version of the brochure was included in copies of Schweizer Illustrierte, GlücksPost and Illustré magazines. It was printed in full in the Coop weekly newsletter, which allowed it to reach more than 2.5 million readers. Their feedback and the number of orders we got as a result proved to us that the people of Switzerland prefer hard facts to fake news.
SENS logistics
SENS logistics launch successful
SENS logistics was launched at the beginning of 2017. With this service, SENS aims to create an attractive offer for smaller take-back collection points and increase both the transparency and efficiency of the take-back system. The first year was highly promising.
SENS logistics offers transportation for situations that are not profitable for other logistics partners. For example, if the distance to the collection point is too great for a recycler, or if the amount collected is not sufficient or if the mixture is not worthwhile.
As we expected, the introduction of the new service was a major challenge – after all, SENS had never offered logistics services before. That’s why we were extremely pleased to bring logistics expert Christian Bolliger on board. He not only brings with him a great deal of expertise in scheduling and road transport, but also in the municipal sector and in recycling. The perfect combination to ensure that SENS logistics is streamlined, fast and effective so it can be a reliable partner for collection points.