Make room, let go and get rid of what you don’t need! – How ReUse works
Electronic toys quickly become obsolete, so it’s not worth holding onto them. It makes a lot more sense to make room for new things by giving these “old” devices away to friends or acquaintances, selling them online or at a flea market, repairing any broken items or taking them to be recycled. Find out here how simple ReUse is and contribute to a more sustainable economy.
Research conducted by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland in 2021 revealed that there are many people in Switzerland hoarding disused electronic devices in their homes. Items often include electronic toys such as electric trains, remote-controlled cars, drones, Tiptoi pens and talking dolls or plush toys – all hidden treasures of varying degrees of value.
Returning toys back into circulation
Electronic toys in particular quickly become obsolete as technology advances, so it’s not worth squirelling them away in boxes or crates. It’s a much better idea to give them a second life by quickly passing them on to others when they are no longer in use, selling them or repairing them if broken. That’s because the longer we keep electronic toys in circulation, the fewer new resources we need – which ultimately strengthens the circular economy and protects the environment. Like other electrical devices and appliances, electronic toys should only be sent for recycling when they can no longer be saved.
1, 2, 3 – Making disposal a fun thing to do
Get your old electronic toys out and start organising them. The most efficient way to do this is with the three-box method: Put all the toys you want to sell or give away in the first box, all the toys that can still be repaired in the second and all the thoroughly broken toys that need to be disposed of in the third:
First box – toys for reuse
The toys in the first box are particularly valuable. They are still intact and can thus bring smiles to the faces of many more children. Put the Lego robot up for resale (ReUse) on Ricardo.ch or Tutti.ch; give the beeping cuddly toy to the neighbour’s children; bring the remote-controlled car to a toy exchange; or sell everything on your own stand at a flea market. You can find out when and where the next flea market in your area will be taking place here: https://www.flohmarkt.ch/
Second box – toys for repair
Were you aware that electrical devices and appliances typically come with a warranty of at least two years, which is then extended after any repairs are made? This also applies to electronic gaming devices, and some manufacturers even offer their own repair service, including popular Swiss toy retailers such as Pastorini, RC3D and Coop. If you are unsure as to whether the device can still be repaired, the Circular Platform (circular-platform.ch) can also help. This platform also provides valuable tips on other ways you can bolster the circular economy of Switzerland.
Third box – toys for disposal
Finally, you put electronic toys that no longer work and are beyond repair in the third box. Cables, plugs and remote controls should also be disposed of separately, as they are also considered to be electronic devices. You can do this free of charge either at a SENS collection point or in shops that sell similar products. Electro Recycling Bags can be ordered to your home for just CHF 4.50. You can fit up to 10 kilograms in them, and the post office will then collect them at no charge.
How to identify electronic toys
Are you unsure whether your toy is an electronic device? Follow this link to read about the five ways to tell that toys are electronic: Identifying toys as electronic devices.
Quality is everything
The better the quality, the longer a toy will typically last and the longer it will be able to bring joy to other children. When purchasing toys, it’s important to consider more than just the price; you should also pay attention to whether the brands and/or licenses of the products are well-known. Unlike cheap copies of the originals, such products ensure quality and are manufactured in adherence to rigorous standards. Genuine products also frequently outperform imitation products in terms of avoidance of harmful substances, as Mr H.C. von der Crone, Chairman of the Board of the Swiss Toy Association, confirmed in a recent interview.