Electrical appliances (IT and consumer electronics)

Products: e.g. computers, controllers, monitors, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, consumer electronics, music systems, telephones, LCD screens

Info: On the one hand, appliances contain a number of recyclable materials such as metals and plastics, and on the other hand, they represent a certain pollutant potential due to the capacitors, batteries, mercury switches, etc., that they contain.
The collection of consumer electronics is the responsibility of the SWICO system.

Avoiding/reducing: When buying new equipment, look out for ease of repair, durability and energy consumption. Good quality means long service life. Make sure they are free of harmful substances and emit low levels of electromagnetic radiation. Use green electricity.

Recycling/environmentally sound disposal: During the recycling process, equipment is first disassembled by hand to remove components containing hazardous substances and precious metals (circuit boards). The remaining parts are then shredded and separated into plastics, ferrous and non-ferrous metals using various techniques such as magnetic separators, centrifuges or float-sink processes.