Who is behind the innovation fund?

As environmental concerns gain attention, Swico Recycling is placing more emphasis on self-regulation and promoting innovation in electronic waste recycling. Through an environmental innovation fund, Swico is now supporting projects that make recycling digital devices more efficient, more environmentally friendly and more profitable.

Why is innovation needed?

Swico Recycling has avoided 38 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions in the past ten years alone, largely by returning precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum from discarded digital devices to the material cycle. This environmental achievement is thanks to the voluntary recycling system, which manufacturers, importers and retailers of digital devices join and which the advance recycling contribution (ARC) funds.

Nevertheless, the recycling industry is facing growing regulatory pressure. This is due both to increasing political awareness of environmental issues and to volatile markets for recovered materials. Swico Recycling’s system itself is not in question: it is exceptionally successful, with a 95% collection rate. But despite Switzerland’s leading international position, it must not lose its innovative edge in electronics recycling.

For this reason, Swico has established an innovation fund financed in part by recycling fees. It provides financial support for projects intended to drive innovation in the Swico Recycling ecosystem. Projects may cover any part of the recycling chain, from collecting scrap to recovering valuable materials. Swico’s contractual partners may also collaborate with start-ups or research institutions to enable projects beyond the usual framework.

What does this mean for Swico recyclers?

The innovation fund provides incentives at the right time. Many recycling partners are willing and able to innovate, but competition can prevent ideas from being implemented, whether because of limited money or time. We believe a timely injection of funding can give an idea momentum.

And what does this mean for consumers and society?

Alongside the environmental benefits, innovation in Swico Recycling’s voluntary system creates considerable value for consumers and society. The dense network of return points, together with public and private collection sites, specialist shops and large retailers, provides more than 6,000 drop-off locations in total. The system also provides employment for around 1,000 people in the secondary labour market.