Recycling cuts CO₂ emissions

Electronic devices are everywhere in modern society. But what happens to them when they stop working or we replace them with newer models? The answer is crucial for our environment and our future.

Find out on this page how Swico Recycling uses a powerful video campaign to encourage people to return their electronic waste, and why recycling electronic devices is a cornerstone of the fight against climate change in Switzerland.

How recycling helps reduce CO₂ emissions

Electronic waste poses a problem and can also be part of the solution. In Switzerland, recovering metals such as iron, aluminium, copper, gold, silver and palladium avoids around 3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. That is roughly equivalent to the emissions from all freight transport in the country. Disposing of components containing hazardous substances in an environmentally responsible way also benefits the environment.

Gold plays a particularly important role. Although electronic waste contains only 160 kg of gold, recovering this precious metal accounts for 80% of the CO₂ savings. Overall, two thirds of the raw materials in digital devices, office equipment and consumer electronics are recovered through material recycling.

Swico Recycling: a sophisticated recycling system

For almost 30 years, Swico has operated a nationwide ecosystem of 600 collection points, 6,000 retail drop-off locations and 8 recycling partners. They ensure that devices of every make are carefully collected, dismantled and recycled in Switzerland to the highest standards. Thanks to consumers who conscientiously bring in their devices for disposal, around 46,000 tonnes of electronic waste are collected each year, equivalent to around 95% of all devices entering the market.

Untapped potential in every home

Despite this success, there is still untapped potential in Swiss households. An estimated ten million old smartphones lie unused in drawers, keeping valuable materials out of the circular economy. Swico encourages the public to continue recycling their electronic waste and make an active contribution to sustainability.

The aesthetics of electronic waste: the ‘We <3 Elektroschrott’ campaign

With the motto ‘We <3 Elektroschrott’, Swico celebrates its love of electronic waste in emotive, striking slow-motion videos about scrap. This unique video campaign encourages people to keep recycling their electronic waste. It reached around one million users on social media and other online channels.

Conclusion: a call to action

The importance of recycling electronic devices for climate protection and the circular economy cannot be overstated. Swico Recycling has been committed to the sustainable disposal of electronic waste for decades and is now calling on the public to take an active part. Every device returned is another step towards reducing CO2 emissions, as well as an opportunity to conserve valuable resources and protect our environment. Join in and return your electronic waste—for a greener future!