Keystone-SDA
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October 14, 2024 – 1:17 p.m.
(Keystone-ATS) On the occasion of the 7th International Electronic Waste Day, Monday, the Sens eRecycling foundation launched a call for the return of unused electrical devices. In particular, cables and plugs are often hoarded instead of recycled.
According to the foundation, used or defective devices can be returned free of charge to stores that sell similar devices. Likewise, it is not always necessary to throw away devices that are defective or no longer in use. It often makes more ecological sense to repair broken parts or redistribute barely used devices.
Electronic devices contain many recyclable materials, points out the foundation. If devices – no matter how small – are stored in boxes and cabinets without being used, then these unusable resources will need to be compensated to meet the growing demand for new electrical devices. This results in an increase in the energy to be produced and CO2.
More devices collected
On average, 15% of the 74 electrical appliances found in a Western European household are unused, the foundation further specifies. Sens eRecycling also checked these figures for Switzerland this spring, and they match, despite Switzerland’s reputation as a “world champion” in this area, where the standards for recycling electrical appliances are nevertheless higher than those of Switzerland. in European comparison.
Between 2022 and 2023, the quantity of recycled electrical and electronic devices increased by 9% in our country, according to the foundation and the economic association for digital Switzerland (Swico). In total, more than 132,000 tonnes of electrical and electronic waste were processed.
The quantity of electronic devices collected also increased compared to 2022 (+13%), despite the downward trend in previous years. The reason for this is the trend of electronic devices becoming smaller and smaller, commonly referred to as miniaturization.
International E-Waste Day on October 14 is an annual global awareness campaign initiated by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Forum (WEEE).
