With a cross-media campaign to raise awareness of the correct disposal of vapes and the direct disposal option with the vape recycling bag, the volume of vapes collected has been further increased.
E-cigarettes, photovoltaic modules, artificial intelligence, awareness-raising campaigns and new contracts with collection points and recycling companies – the breadth of our projects last year was impressive. Despite covering such a wide range of topics, they all pursue the same goal: to advance the circular economy in Switzerland.
“E-cigarettes” Industry Solution
Recycling vapes conveniently and free of charge by post
Every e-cigarette contains a battery. This means that vapes are electronic devices and must be recycled professionally. In July 2023, SENS launched an industry solution for this purpose – starting with collection at points of sale and designated drop-off locations. Since 2024, consumers have been able to recycle their empty e-cigarettes by post in the vape recycling bag. An initial insight.
A small lithium-ion battery is fitted in every e-cigarette – whether disposable or reusable. If e-cigarettes are disposed of and processed improperly, not only can hazardous substances enter the environment, but their batteries can also catch fire in the worst case. It is therefore essential that e-cigarettes are recycled like any other electrical or electronic device. In addition to ensuring the proper handling of the hazards, it is also possible to recover valuable raw materials.
Too many e-cigarettes still end up in household waste, in the environment or incorrectly sorted. As a measure to encourage the correct return of e-cigarettes, consumers can now send their empty e-cigarettes and accessories, such as cables and batteries, for recycling free of charge by post with the handy vape recycling bag. Consumers only need to order a vape recycling bag from vape-recycler.ch and it will be delivered to their home free of charge. The used e-cigarettes can then be collected in the vape recycling bag and deposited in the post box. The postal service will collect it there free of charge. This maximum convenience for consumers is intended to increase the return of used e-cigarettes in Switzerland.
A comprehensive communication campaign throughout Switzerland was also used to make the public aware of the proper handling of used vapes and explain how they are collected and recycled. The young target group of this industry solution is mobile, agile, and frequently out and about – such as at open-air events, train stations, etc. This meant that SENS eRecycling not only had to reach a new target group, but also break new ground in terms of communication. And they were successful. The volume of e-cigarettes taken back increased significantly in 2024. Collection using the vape recycling bags is also becoming increasingly attractive, as current figures show.
You can find out more about the industry solutions, ordering options for the Vape Recycling Bag, and various awareness-raising materials for organisers, collection points and municipalities at www.vape-recycler.ch.
Conclusion
“Heat Pumps” Industry Solution
First operational year closes with success
Together with the organisations GebäudeKlima Schweiz (GKS) and Fachvereinigung Wärmepumpen Schweiz (FWS), SENS eRecycling has developed an environmentally sound, monitored and cost-efficient industry solution for the collection, transport and recycling of heat pumps. This is financed with a market-based, advance recycling contribution (ARC).
The “Heat Pumps” industry solution survived its first year of operations. Since then, processes have become ingrained and the industry solution has become established among manufacturers and importers. They have opted in to almost 100% of the solution, and many installers and specialist dealers have now signed up to SENS eRecycling free of charge. The installers in particular benefit from the free collection of disused heat pumps. Even the extraction of the coolant is largely no longer necessary (Why? - because SENS is taking charge of this??)
Last year, a total of 153 tonnes of heat pumps were collected. These were disassembled into their recyclable materials in a professional and environmentally friendly manner at a Swiss recycling company, and the harmful coolant was disposed of in a professional and environmentally friendly manner.
The task now is to make the solution even better known in the industry, especially among installers. To this end, industry representatives who have not yet opted in to the take-back system will be actively informed about the new industry solution and its advantages and made aware of the importance of proper recycling.
Conclusion
After one year of operations, a total of 153 tonnes of heat pumps were collected in 2024 and then recycled in a professional and environmentally friendly manner.
“VFAS” industry solution
Well-coordinated workflows thanks to simple, standardised processes
SENS eRecycling and the Swiss association of independent car dealers (VFAS) launched the VFAS industry solution on 1 January 2022. It allows members of the VFAS, as well as other manufacturers and importers, to be exempt from the obligation to pay fees and provides a standardised process for the collection, transport and recycling of industrial and vehicle batteries. The VFAS industry solution is financed by a market-based, advance recycling contribution (ARC). Over the past year, processes in particular were simplified and standardised.
The VFAS industry solution offers car manufacturers and importers a simple, cost-effective way of meeting their legal obligation to report batteries. However, the affiliated partners not only benefit from attractive prices, but also get to report their vehicle batteries easily and quickly. They can also use a database for calculating battery weights in order to access all relevant information quickly and conveniently. This database underwent a major expansion in the past year with the addition of other car makes and models. The declaration of the batteries themselves has also been simplified and standardised for the industry. This is also reflected in the cooperation: The industry appreciates the chance to fulfil its obligation with the least possible effort while still receiving a fair price for doing so.
This is also noticeable when you see the partners affiliated with the industry solution: 13 new partners opted in to the industry solution or SENS eRecycling last year. In total, 80 partners are now affiliated with the industry solution.
At the end of 2023, the two-year fee exemption for manufacturers and importers of traction batteries expired. This exemption has been successfully extended by two years until the end of 2025. As such, companies affiliated with SENS continue to be exempt from the ADF.
Conclusion
The VFAS industry solution offers an attractive, simple and, above all, standardised solution for the collection, transport and recycling of car and industrial batteries. This is also reflected in the growing number of partners within the industry solution.
SENS AI
Artificial intelligence for a functioning circular economy
Electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, presenting major challenges for recycling companies and manufacturers. Especially for small appliances, the flow of goods is extremely heterogeneous due to the large number of product categories. With SENS AI, SENS eRecycling uses artificial intelligence to analyse this flow of materials more precisely and make the circular economy more efficient.
The pilot project launched in 2019 has now become a fully functional solution: Thanks to its high-resolution camera models, SENS AI can automatically detect more than 130 product categories. The collected data provides valuable information about the composition of electronic waste. This allows manufacturers to obtain detailed information and insights about the useful lives of their products in order to develop more sustainable designs.
SENS AI has already been tested successfully in practice with the Swiss recycling company Immark as a pioneering partner. The advantages are obvious: The automatic recording of the flow of goods enables a more accurate assessment of the potential of recyclable materials and increases transparency.
The use of artificial intelligence not only makes the analysis process more accurate, but also scalable and cost-efficient. The generated data can be combined with external factors, such as to better assess the reusability of materials or to draw conclusions about the recycling habits of the population.
SENS is currently carrying out targeted pilot tests with two leading manufacturers in order to systematically analyse the return of certain products and models. Take-back quotas are determined, detailed statistics are prepared and initial knowledge of the take-back behaviour and traceability of specific appliance groups is obtained. The aim is to create data-based foundations for efficient, future-proof take-back logistics.
Conclusion
With SENS AI, SENS eRecycling makes a significant contribution to the digitalisation of the circular economy and is setting a new standard for sustainable eRecycling in Switzerland and around the globe.
Swiss PV Circle
A second life for photovoltaic modules
Since 2017, the photovoltaic market in Switzerland has been on a consistent upward trajectory. However, the increasing number of new photovoltaic systems is leading to major challenges when it comes to managing the growing volumes of discarded modules that end up in the waste stream at the end of their life cycle. This is precisely where the Swiss PV Circle project comes into play.
According to experts from Bern University of Applied Sciences, around half of the photovoltaic modules decommissioned annually would still perform adequately enough to be reused as second-hand modules. The use of such modules would be particularly interesting in cases when financial resources are lacking or sustainability considerations play an important role.
However, improper handling causes many photovoltaic modules to be damaged after disassembly, making them no longer suitable for reuse. Another fundamental problem is the insufficient exchange of data between the various actors and stages within the photovoltaic value chain, which complicates circular strategies.
The aim of the Swiss PV Circle project is to extend the life of photovoltaic modules by developing business models for their reuse. This data-based calculation is to be supported by a standardised test procedure which determines the reuse potential of photovoltaic modules. In this way, tested second-hand modules can be offered on the market at a lower price, with only the modules that are no longer working being recycled.
Initial results are now available. A better and more reliable statement on the future volume of waste could be made. It is also evident that reuse makes sense environmentally under certain conditions, but this is in clear conflict with economic viability. Funding remains a challenge, as the testing procedures and processing are time-consuming and resource-intensive. At the same time, module prices have fallen continuously in recent years.
Stay up to date with the project at www.pv-circle.ch.
Conclusion
From an environmental point of view, the reuse of disassembled PV modules offers a sustainable alternative. However, it remains difficult to finance, as shown by the latest results of the project.
Awareness-raising campaign
A tour of discovery through Swiss households
The average European household owns 74 electrical appliances. However, an average of 11 of them are either no longer in use or defective but still lying about in drawers, basements and garages. That’s why the motto is: Let hoarding be a thing of the past! Even disused electrical appliances can still serve a purpose – as long as they are sold, shared or given away (reused), fixed (repaired) or disposed of in a way that allows the valuable materials contained in them to be returned to the loop (recycled).
What do the Swiss population do with old electrical appliances? To find out, SENS eRecycling travelled the length and breadth of Switzerland and knocked on some doors. During these surprise home visits, couples, families and people in shared living arrangements showed us their cellars, attics and drawers. How many electrical appliances are lying about in your home? How often are they used, and how readily can their owners part with them once they have served their purpose? The result is a series of entertaining and informative videos that show how to extract the greatest possible benefit from disused electrical or electronic appliances – not just for you personally, but also for the environment.
For years, Switzerland has been establishing global benchmarks for eRecycling. This is made possible by a well-established network of specialist dealers, manufacturers and importers, as well as collection points and recycling companies. But even in Switzerland, we sometimes find it difficult to dispose of electrical items that are no longer in working order. This is often the case with small and micro devices in particular. In other words, many people mistakenly believe that certain electrical devices and appliances are not worth disposing of properly. Other electronic devices are not even recognised as such and therefore end up inadvertently disposed of as regular household waste. “Invisible e-waste” is the technical term for this phenomenon.
The aim of the most recent campaign was not only to communicate these topics, but to do so in a way that is engaging and easy to understand, and strikes a chord with the population.
Conclusion
Entertaining videos were used to provide information and raise public awareness of recycling and the circular economy in relation to electrical and electronic appliances.
“Brandgefährlich” (Fire hazard)
National awareness-raising campaign on fire prevention
When disposed of improperly, batteries and electronic devices pose a fire hazard. The new national campaign was created in collaboration with Swiss Recycle, INOBAT and Swico Recycling. It provides clarification, raises awareness among the population and makes practical recommendations for action – so far with great success.
Every year, numerous fires are caused by incorrectly disposing of batteries and electronic devices. In order to minimise this risk, we have launched a national awareness-raising campaign together with Swico, INOBAT and the umbrella organisation Swiss Recycle. It is aimed at the entire population and uses municipalities, collection points and the media as multipliers in order to reach as many people as possible.
The campaign aims to reduce the probability of fire by informing the public about the risks of improper disposal and raising awareness of correct disposal. Comprehensive measures have been implemented to this end. In addition to the development of an informative landing page with important facts and instructions, information material was created for municipalities and collection points, along with an informative video in cooperation with the fire brigade. At the same time, the reach was increased with targeted social media posts and specialist articles in the Swiss Recycle Magazine. A round table was also created to serve as a communication platform for the relevant organisations.
Municipalities and collection points play a key role in disseminating the campaign to achieve the broadest possible impact. They act as a direct point of contact for the population and help raise awareness of safe and environmentally friendly disposal.
The awareness-raising campaign has already achieved an impressive reach:
- Media reach (online & print): approx. 3 million
- Informative video: over 3,000 views
- Social media: over 200,000 views
- Landing page visits: nearly 10,000
Further information and ordering options for awareness-raising material can be found at www.brandgefaehrlich.ch.
Conclusion
The “Brandgefährlich” (Fire hazard) campaign shows that targeted awareness and strong multipliers can make a significant contribution to fire prevention. The positive results motivate us to continue raising awareness of safe and environmentally friendly disposal in order to avoid fires from incorrectly disposed of batteries and electrical or electronic appliances in the long term.
Circular Platform
Evolution of a digital platform to promote the circular economy
The Circular Platform provides users of electrical or electronic appliances with independent information and simple services during and after the use of electrical or electronic appliances. By providing four pieces of information, users get the best possible use of their disused electrical or electronic appliances. This is designed to help consumers close product cycles.
Over the past year, the Circular Platform has undergone significant development behind the scenes. In the future, the platform will not only offer added value for consumers, but also for manufacturers, retailers and repair service providers. The aim is to demonstrate the great potential of the circular economy by connecting manufacturers, disposal partners and repair service providers. The Circular Platform is the interface between the various stakeholders and is intended to communicate, enable and inspire.
The goal is to ensure that electrical and electronic appliances are used for as long as possible, thereby helping to conserve resources. This not only involves raising awareness among consumers, but also linking existing services together and making them available centrally. There is a particular focus on repair. The aim here is to use industry-backed guidelines to establish a framework for integrating repair specialists in order to guarantee reliable, high-quality repairs.
Conclusion
The Circular Platform provides consumers with independent information on the sustainable handling of disused electrical or electronic appliances. The idea of this is to link existing offerings with one another to create a close network of recycling services.
A distinguished partnership
New label for SENS partners
Official partners of SENS eRecycling can now use our exclusive label. This allows businesses to showcase their commitment to the establishment of a non-profit take-back system for electrical and electronic equipment throughout Switzerland.
The new label indicates that, as an ARC partner, SENS collection point or SENS recycling company, your business is actively contributing to the promotion of a sustainable circular economy in Switzerland and also supporting the environmentally friendly disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The label is used to communicate the partnership with SENS eRecycling externally and to show that companies are committed to sustainable action.
The label is available exclusively to SENS partners and may only be used within the ambit of our partnership. Therefore, it is freely available to ARC partners, SENS collection points and our SENS recycling companies and can be downloaded here: eRecycling.ch/label
New material flow tool “WEEE Flow”
Successful first use case
After an intensive development phase, the new material flow tool “WEEE Flow” was used for the first time to determine the material flows of the two Swiss take-back systems for SENS eRecycling and Swico Recycling. It replaces the previous “Toocy” tool and sets new standards when it comes to efficiency and ease of use.
The new material flow tool “WEEE Flow” allows recycling companies affiliated with the take-back systems to record their goods and material flows in a straightforward and transparent manner. This not only saves valuable time, but also allows for an improved and, above all, more efficient overview of all relevant facts and figures concerning the recycling of electrical or electronic appliances.
The software was developed by the two take-back systems SENS eRecycling and Swico Recycling in cooperation with ilu AG. In close exchange between the technical commission of the two systems and representatives from the recycling industry, a coherent solution was developed which is effective for all users, corresponds to the state of the art and brings real added value for all parties involved.
This has now also been demonstrated in its first true use case. After an intensive testing and training phase, around 20 Swiss recycling companies recorded their material flows with the new tool for the first time. The feedback was positive across the board. The new software not only makes it easier to record material flows with a clearer, simplified overview of the material flows, but also provides a better overview of all data. Minor errors and obstacles will now be addressed to ensure that nothing obstructs the straightforward use of the tool.
The new transparent presentation of the data allows the two take-back systems SENS eRecycling and Swico Recycling to provide efficient and accurate analysis of the goods and material flows. Ensuring data protection is our top priority. Businesses such as recycling companies can only see the information that is relevant to them on the platform. Furthermore, competitor volumes cannot be viewed by individual recycling companies. The analyses and overviews generated from the tool are intended for public use and do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about individual companies. SENS eRecycling and Swico therefore protect the business-relevant data of companies that record their material flows in the “WEEE flow” without compromising on transparency and traceability.
Conclusion
The material flow program developed specifically for the recycling industry is also impressive when compared internationally. In addition to improving user-friendliness and efficiency, the tool increases transparency in the flow of goods and materials, while also ensuring maximum data protection.
«Durch die Neuausrichtung verfügt die Stiftung SENS nun über eine klare, nachhaltige Anlagestrategie mit optimierten Erträgen und stabilen Verwaltungskosten. Gleichzeitig bleibt die konservative Anlagepolitik erhalten.»
New investment regulations
Changes in asset management and future-oriented investment regulations
As part of the comprehensive revision of the deed of foundation and the regulations, the investment regulations were also updated. In this context, the asset management mandate was re-tendered. Following a structured selection procedure, LGT Bank (Switzerland) AG prevailed against several other banks and took over the management of foundation assets in accordance with the new investment guidelines.
Several key stages were completed as part of the project. The first stage was the revision of the investment regulations, during which the existing regulations of SENS eRecycling and the former Swiss Lighting Recycling Foundation (SLRS) were brought together, modernised and expanded to include sustainability criteria.
Following intensive coordination, the new regulations were approved by the Finance Committee and the Board of Trustees. Next was a presentation round with four banks, in which LGT Bank (Switzerland) AG was selected as the new asset manager. The final step was the approval by the foundation supervisory authority, which ensured that all regulatory requirements were met. We are delighted that we now not only have an updated, forward-thinking investment guideline, but that it also reflects the sustainability interests and the values of SENS eRecycling.
Thanks to this realignment, the SENS Foundation now has a clear, sustainable investment strategy with optimised revenues and stable administrative costs. At the same time, the conservative investment policy is maintained. The new investment regulations are already having a strong impact. The success of this project is reflected in the +2.7% return achieved between June and December 2024 (around CHF 1.7 million).
Conclusion
The new investment regulations clearly define the SENS eRecycling financing strategy for the long term. These are already starting to yield positive results.
Strong partnership
New contracts with collection points and recyclers
After over seven years, the contractual relationships between SENS and its operational partners were revised due to changes in the ORDEE and the ORDEE enforcement aid. The aim of the new contracts is to consolidate long-term partnerships, clarify processes and ensure quality over the long term.
The previous agreements were established in 2017. Since then, regulatory conditions and operational requirements have evolved, particularly in the area of the Ordinance on the Return, Taking Back and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (ORDEE) as well as the related enforcement aid. However, the revision of the contracts was not only designed to adjust to new legal requirements, but also to further develop the content of the cooperation.
A key objective was to create a new, future-proof foundation for long-standing partnerships. The existing structures were analysed and revised in close consultation with the parties involved. In advance of this, around 100 collection points, plus associations and recycling companies, were given an insight into the contract drafts with an opportunity to provide feedback. This participative process allowed SENS eRecycling to draw up contracts which are fit for the future.
Implementation was carried out on a step-by-step basis. The contracts with the recyclers were drawn up in 2023 and signed in 2024. In the same year, contracts with collection points were drawn up, which entered into force on 1 January 2025.
A particular challenge was the diverse range of interests and business models within the industry. The contract design had to reflect practical rights and obligations while also fulfilling the requirements of competition and antitrust law. It was possible to create a common understanding through close cooperation with the partners and clear communication of the project goals.
In addition to legal objectives, the project also pursued strategic goals: to ensure the collection and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Switzerland over the long term, to improve the quality of the service and to strengthen our cooperative partnership. All of these goals were achieved. One especially positive outcome is the renewed commitment shown to SENS eRecycling by recyclers and collection points.
Conclusion
The new contracts bring clarity to our cooperation with recyclers and collection points, while also forming the basis for the successful further development of the SENS take-back system. At the same time, they meet the latest requirements set out in the ORDEE and the associated enforcement aid.
Successful expansion
New recycler in the SENS take-back system
The SENS eRecycling take-back system has been further strengthened by the addition of a new recycling company, Congefi SA.
Following a careful review by SENS eRecycling and the Technical Commission (TC-SENS), the application by Congefi SA was officially accepted in April 2024, and the Ticino-based company was added to the SENS take-back system as another large appliance recycler.
The test included several inter-coordinated stages: After the formal application test, a detailed system test was followed by batch tests in accordance with the SN EN 50625 standard. Meanwhile, the company was audited locally to ensure that all the requirements for a SENS-certified recycling company were met. The final approval was granted by TC-SENS and Head Office. One challenge was the organisation of the batch test, as at least 10 tonnes of material had to be prepared and processed for this purpose – a logistically complex but vital requirement for an objective assessment of the system performance.
Congefi SA has been an official large appliance recycler in the SENS take-back system since 1 April 2024. From 1 July 2025, the company will also be able to process SENS kg goods. With this expansion, SENS eRecycling continues to consistently pursue its strategic goal of integrating certified recyclers with recycling capacities in Switzerland. Compliance with the SN EN50625 standards series and the supplementary technical regulations (eTV) of SENS and Swico guarantees high quality and environmental safety in the handling of disused electrical and electronic appliances.
Conclusion
With the successful addition of Congefi SA, the SENS network was expanded in a targeted manner. At the same time, important lessons for the further development of the onboarding process were learned and firmly anchored in future processes.