Figures, figures, figures

In Switzerland last year, each inhabitant on average disposed of 9.52 kilograms of electrical and electronic appliances in the SENS system. The total volume of appliances disposed of thus totalled 79,068 tonnes. In the “Figures, figures, figures” section, you can find impressive values, valuable figures and information on important changes relative to the prior year.

Take-back system key figures

Increased volume for almost all appliance categories

A total of 79,068 tonnes of electrical and electronic appliances was taken back and processed in the SENS system. The volume of appliances taken back was increased in almost all categories compared to the prior year. With 631,500 large household appliances (prior year: 583,900) and 406,100 refrigeration, freezing, air-conditioning and compressor appliances (prior year: 381,100), increases of 8 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, were recorded in these categories. The volume of small household appliances increased by 3 per cent to 26,109 tonnes (prior year: 25,418 tonnes), while the volume of lighting equipment stood at 1,144 tonnes (prior year: 1,121 tonnes), equating to an increase of 2 per cent. At 3,320 tonnes (prior year: 3,360 tonnes), the volume of lamps taken back was almost the same as in the prior year. For photovoltaic modules, however, a slight decrease was recorded, with 71 tonnes of material (prior year: 73.7 tonnes) being taken back.

During the past year, the customer data in the SENS OnlineSystem was updated and revised. Customers who have not made use of the SENS pick-up service over the last 24 months have been set to inactive. The decline of 49 per cent can be attributed to the fact that only active customers and partners are now listed in the SENS OnlineSystem.

2015 Annual Result

Transparent in every detail

One of the four pillars that make up our strategy is the endeavour to ensure the provision of a transparent and economic system. SENS demands and promotes transparency in its information, material and financial flows. With this objective in mind, the annual financial statements have been restructured, optimised and expanded in accordance with the requirements of the new Accounting Act (nAA) and the Swiss GAAP FER accounting standards.

In addition to the balance sheet and operating account, the SENS annual financial statements now also comprise the cash flow statement and statement of changes in capital. Interested readers also have the option to download an annex which is compliant with the Swiss Code of Obligations and the Swiss GAAP FER accounting standards. This annex contains information on the valuation principles and key notes on the balance sheet and operating account items.

Balance sheet

The balance sheet reveals the asset and financial situation of the SENS Foundation as at the balance sheet date.

Relative to the prior year, securities holdings fell by CHF 4.2 million. This decline can be attributed to the uncertainty regarding fund performance and the difficult interest rate environment. An insufficient supply of bonds that meet the requirements stipulated under the investment regulations (borrowers with an A rating, CHF) and that generate a positive return is leading to fewer reinvestments.

The participation in WEEE Europe AG was also reduced. During the past financial year, some of the units held in the Czech Asekol take-back system were sold, while the value of the remaining units was adjusted in light of the sluggish business developments.

SENS operating account

The operating account presents the financial performance of the SENS Foundation during the financial year. It shows the expenses and income accrued during a certain period and thus provides information on any increase or decrease in equity during this time frame.

The adjustment made to the annual financial statements in order to bring them into line with the nAA and the Swiss GAAP FER accounting standards led to a one-time special effect, in particular in connection with income from recycling fees. This effect totalled CHF 7.1 million and can be attributed to the booking of advance recycling fees (ARFs) on an accrual basis. ARF income for lamps and lighting equipment (CHF 2.6 million) was also reported under this item for the first time and subsequently excluded again together with the income for advance disposal fees (ADFs) for batteries and accumulators in appliances under compensation for partner systems.

The downturn on the commodities markets, the abandoning of the CHF/EUR exchange-rate floor and the positive developments in terms of returns are reflected, in particular, in the expenditure for recycling. On average, the key raw materials of aluminium, iron and copper fell in value by 16 per cent relative to the prior year. Recycling expenditure was thus considerably higher than had been budgeted for.

A further change can be seen in the presentation of the contribution to administrative costs. Unlike in previous years, only those contributions that are billed to external partners (Fair Recycling Foundation, Swiss Lighting Recycling Foundation [SLRS], Swico, Inobat) are reported.

Thanks to the special accounting effect of CHF 7.1 million, this year’s annual result before allocation is positive. In total, CHF 1.9 million can be transferred to the different recycling funds.

> Annex to the annual financial statements, PDF

SENS cash flow statement

The cash flow statement is a dynamic cause statement and provides a comparison of increases and decreases in liquid funds during a specific period. It shows why a specific liquidity situation arises. The cash flow statement reports the cash flow from operating, investment, financing and business activities as parameters.

Statement of changes in capital

The statement of changes in capital presents the allocation, utilisation and inventory of funds from both the fund capital and organisational capital.

Auditor's Report

You can find the confirmation of the SENS 2015 annual financial statements (balance sheet, operating account, cash flow statement, statement of changes in capital including annex) issued by the auditor Gruber Partner AG here.

> Auditor’s report on the annual financial statements, PDF

SLRS annual balance sheet

Lighting equipment and lamps

As in previous years, the SLRS is publishing its annual balance sheet in the SENS Foundation Annual Report. The SENS Foundation integrates both categories – lighting equipment and lamps – in its take-back system. The relevant funds are managed by the SLRS.