In Switzerland last year, each inhabitant on average disposed of 10 kilograms of electrical and electronic appliances in the SENS system. The total volume of appliances disposed of thus totalled 85,000 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
Greater take-back quantities for household appliances and photovoltaics
A total of 85,446 tonnes of electrical and electronic appliances was taken back and processed in the SENS system. The volume of appliances taken back has increased in almost all categories compared to the prior year. Large and small household appliances, in particular, have shaped this result, with increases of 10% and 11%, respectively. The volume of lamps (–18%) and lighting equipment (–1%) has declined, however. Particularly exciting is the development in the area of photovoltaics – modules have been taken back at all SENS collection points since the start of 2015. First-generation photovoltaic systems are now being continually dismantled and replaced by modern, efficient systems. This trend can be very clearly observed in the take-back quotas: while as recently as 2015 only around 70 tonnes of photovoltaic modules were recycled with SENS, this figure had already jumped to approximately 120 tonnes in 2016.
Key figures for the SENS Foundation take-back system in Switzerland
>>> PDF¹ These figures include volumes that were collected by retailers but whose handling was carried out through collection orders from third parties (e.g. collection points or transport companies).
² Average weight of large household appliances in 2016: 53 kg per item; 2015: 53 kg per item.
² Average weight of refrigeration, freezing, air-conditioning and compressor appliances in 2016: 45 kg per item; 2015: 45 kg per item.
³ Volume is already included in the volume of small electrical appliances.
⁴ Inhabitants in 2015: 8,306,200; 2016: 8,417,730.
2016 Annual Result
Transparent in every detail
SENS demands and promotes transparency in its information, material and financial flows. With this objective in mind, the annual financial statements were restructured, optimised and expanded in accordance with the requirements of the new Accounting Act (nAA) and the Swiss GAAP FER accounting standards back in 2015.
In addition to the balance sheet and operating account, the SENS annual financial statements 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.
SENS balance sheet
>>> PDFSENS 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.
SENS operating account
>>> PDFSENS 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.
SENS cash flow statement
>>> PDFStatement 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.
Statements of changes in capital
>>> PDFStatements of changes in capital
>>> PDFAuditor's Report
You can find the confirmation of the SENS 2016 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.
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.
ARF fund for lighting equipment
>>> PDFComments
The volume of lighting equipment in circulation in Switzerland requiring disposal decreased by 12.86% compared to the previous year. Expressed in kilos, the total volume of lighting equipment disposed of decreased by 3.92%. Assuming an average weight of 120 grams, almost 9.5 million items of lighting equipment were disposed of via our system.
ARF fund for lamps
>>> PDFComments
The volume of lamps in circulation in Switzerland decreased by 15.47%. In addition, the volume of appliances disposed of decreased by 18.53%. Disposal costs fell by 21.39%.
The fund disbursement was made on a pro rata basis at a ratio of two-thirds for lighting equipment and one-third for lamps.