Foundation

Swico Recycling was set up on 1st December 1993 by a majority of the members of the Swico Association, Zurich Switzerland (Swiss Association of suppliers for Information, Communications and Organisation Technology) as a voluntary system. It was a reaction to increasing demands expressed by customers to be able to hand in equipment irrespective of the brand without any problems at a single location, and the realisation by importers and manufactures that a common system would be preferable on the grounds of efficiency.

Collection system

Thanks to the country-wide concept for taking back equipment, business customers and private individuals can hand in their used equipment and accessories free of charge at:

• distributors or retailers premises (6000),
• some 600 Swico collection points,
• the manufacturers’ premises (large-scale equipment)

or they can arrange for quantities of used equipment of 250 kg and more to be picked up by the Swico Recycling operators directly.

Treatment partners and technical control

Contracted recycling companies perform the task of recycling used WEEE equipment. These companies collaborate with dismantling companies that employ staff in social welfare institutions.

The recycling industry is invited to respond on a recycling tender and quantities will be based on best price/quality offer. This ensures free competition. The same is done for the logistics activities.

An external control office (EMPA St. Gallen) monitors the recycling quality by order of the Swico Environmental Commission. Contracts with recycling companies are only entered into if they can honor the requirements in accordance with the Swico regulations. EMPA is also responsible for making proposals to the Environmental Commission on the available level of technology, which should be requested.