Protecting the environment is behind everything we do. This is reflected in the environmental impact points saved through our work every year. We calculate this saving in our life cycle assessment. This is how eRecycling helps the environment. The figures are impressive!
2021 life cycle assessment
150,000 billion environmental impact points saved over 30 years of eRecycling
We look back on 31 years of eRecycling today. One year after our grand anniversary, the results of our life cycle assessment are as impressive as ever: we were able to reclaim enough materials for four Eiffel Towers, 2.53 million bicycles and 43.5 million trumpets in the past twelve months. Our cumulative achievements of 31 years are even more exciting.
In 2020, around 15 kilograms of electronic waste was amassed per person in Switzerland. In the last 31 years, 1.3 million tonnes of electrical and electronic appliances were introduced to the SENS eRecycling cycle. This amounts to 100,000 tonnes of electrical and electronic appliances last year alone. Viewed in the context of the amount of waste produced, the level of utilisation of this professional, environmentally sound recycling system for electrical and electronic appliances is impressive. The figures from the 2020 life cycle assessment demonstrate this.
Enough materials for 70 Eiffel Towers, 2.53 million bicycles and 43.5 million trumpets
Since SENS eRecycling was founded in 1990, we have recovered 890,000 tonnes of recyclable material through eRecycling. Steel and iron make up the largest portion of this, accounting for about 80 per cent. 705,000 tonnes out of this amount would be enough to build 70 Eiffel Towers. The 38,000 tonnes of aluminium would be enough to make 2.53 million bicycles and the 43,500 tonnes of copper would be enough to make 43.5 million trumpets. These are astounding quantities. They make it clear just how important it is to recover recyclable material.
An additional 1,000 billion environmental impact points saved in one year
To protect the environment, it is also crucial to prevent pollution by ensuring that hazardous substances such as mercury, coolants, refrigerants and PCBs are disposed of correctly. Over 91 per cent of the environmental benefit is accounted for by the proper disposal of PCBs, which is commonly found in the capacitors of older electrical or electronic appliances and does not break down easily. In the life cycle assessment, this benefit is quantified in terms of the number environmental impact points (UBP) that were saved by the SENS take-back system. In total, this figure amounts to 151,000 billion: 1,000 billion more than we had saved after 30 years. This corresponds to the annual environmental footprint of about 7.5 million Swiss citizens.
See the environmental benefit for yourself!
Our digital life cycle assessment now shows our cumulative achievements from 31 years of eRecycling. It gives a clear picture of what we have achieved together and what we can do better in the future. Have a look at the benefits of eRecycling and continue to help us do right by the environment. We think that 31 years are a good start. We will keep working hard and hope to achieve a lot more with your help.