Switzerland now has an environmentally friendly recycling solution for e-cigarettes. The Swiss Sens Foundation has agreed on an industry solution with the suppliers, reports sda.
Operators of outlets such as kiosks collect discarded e-cigarettes in so-called “vape recycling bags” and then send them by mail to the Sens Foundation. E-cigarette users can also drop off discarded e-cigarettes free of charge at a Sens collection point. A map published on the internet shows where they are located.
So many manufacturers, importers and retailers of e-cigarettes have signed the follow-up agreement to the industry solution that there is a market share of 50 per cent. The contract has been in force since the beginning of July.
The costs of collection, transport, consumer awareness and recycling of e-cigarettes are financed by an advanced recycling fee. It currently amounts to CHF 0.15 (USD 0.17) and is levied as a fixed amount on the sales price.
The goal is that 50 per cent of e-cigarettes will be recycled in the future. The foundation assumes that most of these e-cigarettes end up in the trash today. Reliable figures on the return rate were lacking.
E-cigarettes are considered electrical devices, according to the Sens Foundation, and are thus subject to the Ordinance on the Return, Take-Back and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Retailers are thus required to take back all types of discarded e-cigarettes, it said. Sales of e-cigarettes have increased sharply in recent years, according to the foundation.