«Stress test passed» – recycling during the coronavirus crisis

But the past year was unlike any before. It was characterised by lockdowns, uncertainties, alternating standstills and excessive backlogs.
The year of the coronavirus pandemic was extremely challenging and unstable for consumers, appliance manufacturers, trading companies, recycling companies and collection points alike. It is precisely in times of crisis that systems demonstrate just how resilient they are – and we can proudly say that we passed the stress test.

Swico, SENS and SLRS are characterised by their tight-knit ecosystems of hundreds of contract and service partners, policies and management at all stages and, last but not least, consumers. This has resulted in a fine balance dedicated to the sustainability and consumer friendliness of recycling. The robustness of these systems is demonstrated not least through their financial endurance:

every single invoice was paid on time, index adjustments were implemented quickly, innovations were financed easily and special coronavirus-related compensation was even periodically given. Nevertheless, all systems ended 2020 with balanced results and without dipping into their reserves.

The three systems are also confident in their outlooks.
Swico, SENS and SLRS are not only well positioned in technical and financial terms; as this Technical Report shows, but they also have the innovative strength to cope with the future ecological challenges of the electrical and electronics industry and to maintain Switzerland’s position as a world leader in recycling.

The Technical Report is published in German, French and English and is available as an online publication and a downloadable interactive PDF.

Contents
1 Profile of the recycling systems
2 Swico/SENS TC
3 Quantities
4 Refrigerators
5 Recycling fluorescent tubes
6 New approach to batch testing
7 Electronics in vehicles
8 Swico innovation fund
9 Flat-panel displays
10 Lithium battery fire risk
11 Capacitor pollutants
12 PCBs in WEEE
13 International developments
14 Farewell to Geri Hug

Swico, SENS und SLRS – Fachbericht 2021
Swico, SENS et SLRS – Rapport technique 2021
Swico, SENS and SLRS – Technical Report 2021