Gifts with a future: Why quality brings joy for longer

Almost one in two Swiss people experience the unboxing of a new electrical appliance as a moment of happiness. This is the result of a recent study by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). Second-hand items, on the other hand, trigger significantly fewer positive emotions. So sustainable gift-giving at Christmas is still possible.

Electrical appliances under the Christmas tree are a tradition. In the past, a waffle iron for grandma or an electric train for her son made eyes light up; today it's the latest kitchen appliance for mom or a remote-controlled drone for her grandson. What remains unchanged, however, is that those who pay attention to the quality and repairability of gifts are giving short-term pleasure and at the same time laying the foundations for long-term, sustainable use. Pasqual Zopp, Managing Director of SENS eRecycling, also points this out with regard to a study completed by the FHNW in 2024: "The study showed that Swiss people keep appliances that they consider particularly valuable or emotionally significant for longer, repair them more frequently and often pass them on within the family or among friends."

Quality before price

"When giving sustainable gifts, it is advisable to look for quality rather than the cheapest price," recommends Zopp. "This is because high-quality products not only last longer, but are also easier and better to repair than cheap products." To this end, many specialist retailers offer their own repair service or spare parts in their online stores. When buying online, Zopp also advises you to always take a look at the legal notice: "Because not every store with .ch is a Swiss store". In addition to the prices and shipping costs, you should also check the exchange and guarantee conditions. And last but not least, a sustainable purchase also includes checking whether the advance recycling fee (ARF) is included in the purchase price. "Thanks to this, disused electrical and electronic appliances can be disposed of free of charge throughout Switzerland," explains Zopp. If this contribution is not included in the purchase price, it can also be paid voluntarily for CHF 5 on the SENS eRecycling website. This enables fair and professional disposal of the purchased appliances at the end of their service life.

Second-hand yes, but consciously and transparently

"As well as buying a new appliance, it's always worth checking which appliances you still need in your own household and which you could give to your daughter, goddaughter or niece," recommends Pasqual Zopp. However, you have to be aware that some people are still skeptical about used appliances. The study also showed this: Only 8% of respondents fully agreed that used, rather than new, appliances should be bought or given as gifts. The main reasons for this reluctance are hygiene concerns and uncertainty about the condition and quality of the appliance. Pasqual Zopp therefore advises open and transparent communication about the condition, origin and possible warranty periods of the appliances. "This creates trust and makes a gift even more valuable," he is convinced. Anyone who is unsure whether a rarely used device is still working properly can have it checked by a specialist retailer. There he or she can also find out whether it is still worth repairing a defective appliance.

Tips for the conscious purchase of electrical appliances

• Go for quality rather than the cheapest price. High-quality devices last longer and are easier to repair.
• Check the (online) seller: do they comply with Swiss laws, e.g. for toys, and are they on the list of vRB partners? If not, pay a voluntary recycling fee of CHF 5 for fair and professional disposal at the end of the life of your purchased devices.
• Ask local dealers: they clean or repair appliances and dispose of defective appliances professionally and free of charge. More about repair and disposal at: www.circular-platform.ch
• Buy second-hand. Even if the purchase of used appliances is less emotionally appealing, it can still make sense - especially if the condition and origin are transparent or a warranty certificate is available.