OUR OPERATIONS 2012

For many years, Sweden has led the way in terms of environmental commitment in general and recycling in particular. Now a certain refinement in recycling behav-iour is starting to take shape. The smaller products are increasingly finding their way back into the ecocycle, where they are converted into new raw materials and used in new production. Products that are broken or no longer used are being sent off to recycling centres, where they can do more good than at home in a drawer.

Recycling Weekend was repeated in 2012, and the results confirm our new recycling behaviour – we are sending more small and medium-sized household appliances for recycling than in previous years. With considerable commitment to electronics recycling among the Swed-ish population, we recycled almost 4 times more used electronics than the target in the EU Directive of 4 kg per inhabitant. We collected 147 684 tonnes, which equates to 15.47 kg per inhabitant.

This excellent result is, of course, thanks to all the work carried out across Sweden’s municipalities, the commit-ment of our customers and suppliers and the fact that we are all taking individual responsibility for doing the right thing.

So be proud. Sweden has come out on top thanks to you!

WOW!YOU’VE DONEIT AGAIN.

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CollectionThe collection statistics show that Swedes developed a new kind of recycling behaviour in 2012, with increasing numbers of small and medium-sized household appli-ances, lamps and batteries being recycled. Recycling of electronics is becoming increasingly prevalent, and in 2012 El-Kretsen’s system collected over 147 684 tonnes, which equates to 15.47 kg per inhabitant. Statistics for 2012 show an increasing number of electronics enter-ing the recycling system. 13 percent more small and medium-sized household appliances such as kettles and sewing machines, 13 percent more battery-powered lamps, such as pocket torches, string lights and head torches, 18 percent more remote controls and 14 percent more electrical handtools were recycled in 2012. When it comes to lighting, there has been a distinct shift from filament bulbs to low-energy bulbs. Filament bulbs are becoming less common and their replacements are app-earing more often, but at a lower rate since these have a longer lifespan.

Recycling WeekendThe big campaign of the year, the Recycling Weekend, was held for the third year in a row. The purpose of the campaign is to highlight the importance of recycling, particularly of smaller products. Over the weekend of 28-30 September the whole of Sweden gathered up its used electronics and said farewell to old, unused mobile phones, radio-controlled cars and household appliances at the local collection station. Read more about the Recy-cling Weekend later on in the report, under the heading Marketing Activities.

Customer seminarsTwo customer seminars were held during the year, one in Stockholm and one in Gothenburg. The topic for the day was legislation and the Declaration Portal. There was a great deal of interest, with the large audience contributing a number of good questions to create a very interesting seminar.

Mobile appThe ÅTERVINN (Recycle) app received an overhaul ahead of the Recycling Weekend, gaining several new functions. For example, it now shows all the collection stations for electronics and batteries, rather than just the recycling centres as before. The search function has been de-veloped and refined, and we have made it much easier to share the app with new recyclers. Read more about the mobile app later on in the report, under the heading Marketing Activities.

Survey of Sweden’s electricalwaste collectionIn 2012, we conducted an extensive survey of Sweden’s electrical waste collection. All the country’s municipalities took part in the survey by completing a questionnaire. The results show that in addition to the 600 recycling centres across Sweden, there are almost 2 000 collection stations for small electronics, batteries and lighting, and 10 000 battery bins. 1.5 million households also have access to kerbside collection. This forms an excellent foundation for our continued work to improve Sweden’s electrical waste collection in partnership with the munici-palities.

Legislation and investigationThe WEEE Directive underwent a revision at the end of 2012. In the future, the directive will be incorporated into Swedish legislation in the form of an ordinance, and the work of adapting our Swedish regulations will continue through 2013. The end result will appear in early 2014. Also in 2012 there was a Waste Commission investigation into producer responsibility for packaging and news-papers. The final proposal will be presented in 2013, and we do not yet know whether the report will affect pro-ducer responsibility for electronics and batteries.

Lighting campaignTogether with Avfall Sverige (the Swedish Waste Manage-ment and Recycling Association), El-Kretsen conducted

a lighting campaign under the title Tack och Hej, which means “thank you and hello”. We say thank you to the filament bulb for its years of service, and hello to all the new lighting technology that has come in its place. The campaign focused not only on lighting, but also batter-ies and other small electrical products. The Tack och Hej campaign ran from September through to December, with coverage in the daily press and on various websites. Read more about the Tack och Hej campaign later on in the report, under the heading Marketing Activities.

MunicipalitiesEl-Kretsen and Sweden’s municipalities agreed in 2012 to continue their close collaboration. This is good news for many reasons, not least because the municipalities know the local situation best and therefore have many good ideas that can bring about increased accessibility and recycling.

The partnership is also a key prerequisite in developing and communicating our shared message during events such as the Recycling Weekend and the lighting campaign that were conducted during the year.

Battery Information Association – BIF A joint body with producer responsibility for batteries was formed in 2012 by El-Kretsen, Elektronikåtervinnings-föreningen and BlyBatteriRetur. The association, which currently has 11 members, will take the lead in national information initiatives and help producers with their information responsibilities.

Members of BIF:Batteriföreningen | Bil Sweden | BlyBatteriRetur – BBFElektriska Hushållsapparat Leverantörer – EHLElektronikBranschen | El-Kretsen | Elektronikåter-vinningsföreningen – EÅF | IT & Telekomföretagen, Leksaksbranschen | Leverantörföreningen för elektriska handverktyg – LEH | MobilTeleBranschen – MTBSvensk Dagligvaruhandel, Svensk Handel

2012 IN SUMMARY

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RECYCLING TOTALS 2012

MATERIAL TONNES ASSORTED ELECTRICAL GOODS 84 453 WHITE GOODS 31 977 FRIDGES AND FREEZERS 25 183 FLUORESCENT TUBES 1 547 FILAMENT BULBS 413 LED BULBS 7 LOW-ENERGY BULBS 645 BATTERIES 3 456TOTAL 147 684

RECYCLING COMPARISONRECYCLED (WEIGHT IN TONNES) 2010 2011 2012LARGE HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES 68 318 67 243 64 362 SMALL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES 8 207 5 588 3 988 IT, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT 28 690 28 355 25 180 HOME EQUIPMENT (TV, AUDIO AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT) 30 626 31 082 37 399 LIGHTING 7 258 9 249 7 425 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC TOOLS 1 559 1 926 2 212 TOYS AND LEISURE/SPORTS EQUIPMENT 699 701 710MEDICAL EQUIPMENT 419 306 304SURVEILLANCE AND SECURITY EQUIPMENT 82 196 218 BATTERIES 2 766 3 202 3 455 OTHER (MATERIALS WITH NO PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY) 1 322 1 372 2 425TOTAL 150 402 154 186 147 684

* Non-recyclable materials primarily means residual products from the recycling process, e.g. slag after incineration.** Televisions and monitors are not included in this table.*** Low-energy bulbs, fluorescent tubes and mercury bulbs.**** The batteries category merges all types of batteries with different chemical compositions.

The diagrams show an average level of recycling in percent based on 1,000 kg for each material.

ASSORTED ELECTRICAL GOODS**

MATERIAL KG/TONNE % IRON 390 39.0% PLASTIC 170 17.0% COPPER 63 6.3% ALUMINIUM 62 6.2% OTHER METALS 10 1.0% SILVER 0.116 0.012% GOLD 0.0099 0.001% PALLADIUM 0.0046 0.0005% NON-RECYCLABLE MATERIALS* 235 23.5% ENERGY RECOVERY 70 7.0%TOTAL 1000 100%

TELEVISIONS AND MONITORSMATERIAL KG/TONNE % MONITOR GLASS 500 50.0% PLASTIC 150 15.0% IRON 65 6.5% COPPER 45 4.5% ALUMINIUM 10 1.0% NON-RECYCLABLE MATERIALS* 175 17.5% ENERGY RECOVERY 55 5.5% TOTAL 1000 100%

RECYCLED 2012 BY CATEGORY

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ASSORTED ELECTRICAL GOODS TOTALMATERIAL KG/TONNE % MONITOR GLASS 250 25.0% IRON 228 22.8% PLASTIC 160 16.0% COPPER 54 5.4% ALUMINIUM 36 3.6% OTHER METALS 5 0.5% SILVER 0.058 0.006% GOLD 0.0049 0.0005% PALLADIUM 0.0023 0.0002% NON-RECYCLABLE MATERIALS* 205 20.5% ENERGY RECOVERY 63 6.3%

TOTAL 1000 100%

FRIDGES AND FREEZERSMATERIAL KG/TONNE % IRON 700 70.0% PLASTIC 120 12.0% ALUMINIUM 27 2.7% COPPER 20 2.0% CFCS 9 0.9% GLASS 7 0.7% NON-RECYCLABLE MATERIALS* 26 2.6% ENERGY RECOVERY 91 9.1% TOTAL 1000 100%

GAS-DISCHARGE LAMPS***

MATERIAL KG/TONNE % GLASS 605 60.5% ALUMINIUM 231 23.1% ENERGY RECOVERY 140 14.0% PHOSPHORS 24 2.4% TOTAL 1000 100%

NON GAS-DISCHARGE LAMPSMATERIAL KG/TONNE % GLASS 570 57.0% ALUMINIUM 380 38.0% ENERGY RECOVERY 50 5.0% TOTAL 1000 100%

WHITE GOODSMATERIAL KG/TONNE % IRON 680 68.0% ALUMINIUM 21 2.1% COPPER 15 1.5% NICKEL 5 0.5% PLASTIC 4 0.4% NON-RECYCLABLE MATERIALS* 183 18.3% ENERGY RECOVERY 92 9.2% TOTAL 1000 100%

BATTERIES****

MATERIAL KG/TONNE % IRON 232 23.2% ZINC 212 21.2% LEAD 37 3.7% NICKEL 31 3.1% CADMIUM 19 1.9% LITHIUM 6 0.6% OTHER METALS 3 0.3% COBALT 3 0.3% ALUMINIUM 2 0.2% NON-RECYCLABLE MATERIALS* 343 34.3% ENERGY RECOVERY 112 11.2% TOTAL 1000 100%

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What is involved in the actual process of turning a dis-carded toaster into an electrical toy, or recycling a TV into a coffee machine? When householders deposit their old electrical equipment at the municipal recycling centre, our transport contractors transfer it to a recycling plant, where it is disassembled into its constituent parts before being returned to the production process as new raw material. This closes the circle, and as recyclers we have made a concrete contribution to saving the planet’s finite resources.

How it happensElectrical products, batteries and lighting deposited at a recycling centre, at a local small electricals collection point, in a battery bin or at a kerbside collection station are transported onwards to one of 20 or so recycling plants chosen by El-Kretsen.

Here the products are unloaded and registered before undergoing initial sorting and disassembly. Disassembly involves removing environmentally hazardous sub-stances and components that require special processing. Each material is separated out for recycling in processes tailored to the material in question. Plastic in one process, metal in another. Then, the various categories are refined to produce new raw materials or energy.

The procedure for this initial preprocessing is set out in legislation and in agreements between El-Kretsen and the recycling companies, all of which govern which substanc-es and components have to be disassembled and what proportion of a product can be recycled.

Collection stationsSweden is high up the rankings when it comes to offering consumers free collection stations for used electronics. The country has 600 recycling centres that accept seven different categories:Assorted electrical goodsTelevisions and monitorsFridges and freezersLarge white goodsLightingFluorescent tubesPortable batteries

There are also 2 000 collection stations for small electri-cals, batteries and lighting plus around 10 000 battery bins. In addition, 1.5 million households have access to some form of kerbside collection close to where they live.

As well as this network of free collection stations, there are also private collection points for companies and organisations, with El-Kretsen collecting electronics and batteries and then taking them directly for recycling.

THE ROUTE BACK

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Sweden’s municipalities regularly add new collection points for recycling used electronics. Greater accessibility means more recycling!

The ÅTERVINN app now shows all the collection options– including recycling centres, battery bins and smallelectricals collection points.

Transport companiesWhen the recycling centres or private collection points re-port to El-Kretsen’s system on what they have collected, a message is also sent to the relevant transport company that handles the logistics between the recycling centre and the recycling plant. Each transport company works on behalf of El-Kretsen within a specific geographical area and focuses on a particular category of recycling. The company collects full crates and containers and drives them to the recycling plant. The driver scans a barcode on the container or crate on collection and this is then regis-tered in El-Kretsen’s system. This allows us to track each load from the collection point to the recycling plant. Once at the recycling plant, the container is scanned again to ensure that all the electronics registered in El-Kretsen’s system are processed in an environmentally correct way and that nothing collected disappears en route.

Recycling plantThe certified recycling plants are appointed by El-Kretsen based on technical expertise, price and geographical location. At the plant, all the collected electrical equip-ment is disassembled and processed, and finally sorted so that it can be returned to the production process as a new raw material. This is an incredibly important process that enables us to use the same material resources again and again. This helps to preserve the environment and to establish a satisfactory ecocycle. All the recycling plants report to El-Kretsen how much they have dealt with and processed over the year, and the processed volume generated by each material type. Read more in the tables for the recycling categories.

Reporting from collection stations and transport companies ensures smooth recycling logistics.

All products are worth recycling.Particularly if they contain gold and silver.

Recovering raw materials from used products costs less than mining for new materials.

The system is automated, with everything reported to theCollection Point Portal.

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PROCUREMENT

Everyday electrical items contain materials that can be recycled as new raw materials or energy, plus toxic sub-stances that can be hazardous to nature. This requires high standards of preprocessing and recycling. The pro-cesses must be both eco-friendly and resource-efficient. Before disassembly, the products are divided into five categories, since each category is recycled in a different way. Here you can read about how that happens and what is converted into new raw materials and new energy.

Assorted electrical goodsThe product group Assorted Electrical Goods accounts for over half of the total weight recycled. This includes televisions, mobile phones, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, toys, tools and so on. Many products in the category are processed using the same processes. Others are sorted out for special treatment. TVs have to be preprocessed manually, while other products can be preprocessed automatically.

Some products contain PCBs that have to be removed before metal parts are recycled, including batteries, mercury relays and capacitors. Once the environmentally hazardous substances have been removed, the metal parts can be recycled. At the smelting plant, copper, aluminium and iron are recovered as raw materials for new products. The most valuable raw materials are found in the circuit boards in computers, mobiles and other IT products, which contain both gold and silver. Certain plas-tics and glass can be re-used and the plastics, textiles and wood that are non-recyclable are sent for energy recovery and district heating. The exhaust gases are cleaned and any pollutants captured.

Large white goodsThe category Large White Goods mostly comprises dishwashers, washing machines and cookers. These may contain capacitors that use environmentally hazardous substances such as PCBs. Particular parts are therefore removed by hand before the white goods are pulled apart

in the fragmenting plant that separates out the metals. The various metals are then recycled for use in new products. White goods mostly contain steel, but also have some aluminium and copper in them.

Fridges and freezersOld fridges and freezers contain CFCs that contribute to the greenhouse effect and destroy the ozone layer. The CFCs are therefore processed in two stages. First, the cooling system is punctured and the refrigerant sucked out with a vacuum. Then the compressor is disassembled and emptied of oil. The two stages are carried out in a closed process in order to deal with the CFCs in isolation. Once the CFCs and oil have gone, the metals and plastics are separated out for recycling into new products. The CFCs are destroyed at extremely high temperatures or converted into saltwater.

LightingFluorescent tubes and low-energy bulbs are lined with phosphors that contain mercury. The main focus of recy-cling fluorescent tubes and low-energy bulbs is therefore on dealing with the mercury safely. This is done by sepa-rating the mercury from the phosphor powder.

The process is carried out exclusively by Nordic Recycling in Hovmantorp, where El-Kretsen sends all the light bulbs and tubes that it collects. The bulbs are crushed in a closed system and then washed in a fluid that oxidises and binds the mercury. The phosphor powder and mer-cury are separated from the fluid and captured in closed containers. After the separation process, the clean glass is sent for recycling, where it is melted down and used in the production of new glass bottles. Metal and electrical waste is sent to specialist recycling companies that recy-cle metals and plastics. Filament bulbs and LED bulbs are also handled as part of the same process. Straight fluo-rescent tubes over 60 cm long are processed in a special machine that removes the ends and blasts tubes clean. The Lighting group includes all types of small bulbs.

Battery recyclingSweden is particularly good at recycling used batteries. But what actually happens to the batteries handed in? All batteries have to be recycled, none are permitted to go to landfill. Those are the rules. The chemical composition of the battery determines the nature of the preprocess-ing. Most battery types can have their materials recycled through smelting and distillation.

CORRECT SORTING KEY

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Fridges and freezersDuring 2012, El-Kretsen procured preprocessing services for used fridges and freezers, and transport between collection stations and preprocessing plants. The procure-ment was conducted as an open tender for all those who met the relevant environmental and quality require-ments. The preprocessing procurement attracted tenders from Swedish, Norwegian and Danish recycling compa-nies that process fridges and freezers in special plants specialising in the safe removal of CFCs. In addition to quality and the environment, the deciding factors for the tender included technical expertise, geographical location and price. The new three-year contracts were signed with five companies: H.J. Hansen in Odense, Revac in Hova, Skrotfrag in Järna, Stena Technoworld in Halmstad and Svensk Freonåtervinning in Lövsta. As a result of the transport procurement, contracts were signed with 11 transport companies: Akka Frakt, Gotlands ÅC, Hagéns Åkeri, Halmstad Bärarelag, Iljjer Frakt, Lessebo ÅC, Kristianstad Renhållning, M4 Gruppen, Nora Lindefrakt, Ragn-Sells and Sita.

In addition to road transport, each year around 80 000 fridges and freezers will be carried by rail from Örnskölds-vik to Stena Technoworld in Halmstad.

CATCHMENT AREAS 2012

Recycling is split into five different categories, or segments. The maps below show where the electrical goods collected in each segment are dealt with and by which partner.

BATTERIES Akkuser OY: Nivala (Fi)

Renova: Göteborg

LIGHTINGAll collected lighting is recycledby Nordic Recycling: Hovmantorp.

FRIDGES AND FREEZERS Stena: Halmstad (Örnsköldsvik)

Revac: Hova

SFÅ: Lövsta

Skrotfrag: Järna

Stena: Halmstad

H. J. Hansen: Odense

ASSORTED ELECTRICAL GOODS Bodens kommun

Jönköpings kommun

KS Recycling: Malmö

Kuusakoski: Skellefteå

Kuusakoski: Spånga

Kuusakoski: Timrå

Kuusakoski: Vetlanda

Lindberg & Son: Forsbacka

SRS*: Katrineholm

Stena Techworld: Bräcke-Hoby

Stena Techworld: Vänersborg

Stena Techworld: Västerås

Uppsala kommun

Örnsköldsviks kommun

LARGE WHITE GOODS Ragn-Sells: Västerås

Stena: Huddinge

Kuusakoski: Gävle

Lantz: Norrköping

Stena: Malmö

Skrotfrag: Oskarshamn

Kuusakoski: Karlshamn

Kuusakoski: Stenkullen

Kuusakoski: Skellefteå

Sorterarna: Kristianstad

* Sims Recycling Solutions

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Mobile appThe refreshed ÅTERVINN app was made easier to share and now shows many more collection options. Previously, only the 600 recycling centres were shown, but now it lists small electricals collection points and battery bins to make recycling that much easier. Directions and opening times remain, and there is comprehensive information on the types of electrical waste that can be recycled at each collection station. By including battery bins and other small electricals collection points, we have quadrupled the app’s listing of collection options for the general pub-lic. Now it is even easier to recycle!

Lighting campaignThe “Tack och Hej” campaign run by Avfall Sverige in partnership with El-Kretsen included lighting, batteries and other small electrical products, and ran from Septem-ber to December. In addition to advertising in the daily press and banners on various websites, there was also a blog challenge in collaboration with IKEA that led to the announcement of the “best home recycling solution”. In addition, there were activities out and about in Stock-holm, Gothenburg and Malmö, with people handing out recycling bins and a new halogen bulb to passers-by.

Recycling WeekendWe conducted our nationwide Recycling Weekend for the third year in a row. Various local initiatives from munici-palities and local stakeholders helped ensure a success-ful Recycling Weekend on 28-30 September. The collection of small electrical products went particularly well. Infor-mation was sent out to the municipalities well before the launch of the campaign so that they could make their own local contributions. All the recycling centres were sent green recycling shirts, along with a presentation of the campaign. On two occasions, we involved the manufactur-ers in the campaign information. The campaign website was completely overhauled, with interesting and useful statistics added.

To reach out to the general public, the campaign was advertised on outdoor hoardings, through mobile ads and on the internet. The ÅTERVINN app was also expanded to include all of Sweden’s collection stations and interesting recycling facts.

MARKETING MATERIAL 2012

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Nearby collection stationsare shown on the map.

Selected collection station shows you opening hours, directions and what items you can recycle. You can also take your own photo of the collection station and upload it to the app.

You can search by zip code or area.Or select product under the “Guided Search”.

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OWNERSElektronikBranschen

SDH – Svensk Dagligvaruhandel

Sveriges Bygg- och Järnhandlareförbunds Service AB

EHL – Elektriska Hushållsapparat Leverantörer

SRL – Sveriges Radio- och Hemelektronikleverantörer

IT & Telekomföretagen

Brandvarnargruppen

CANT – Centrala Antennföreningen

LEH – Leverantörsföreningen för Elektriska Handverktyg

LLB – Branschföreningen Ljud, Ljus & Bild förprofessionellt bruk

MTB MobilTeleBranschen

SLF – Sjukvårdens Leverantörsförening(Swedish Medtech)

KEPA – Branschföreningen för Kontorsartiklar, Emballage, Pappersprodukter & Angränsande produktområden

Leksaksbranschen

E.L. – Elmateriel Leverantörernas förening

Föreningen Hemljus

Belysningsbranschen

KTF Organisation AB (Intressentbransch: IIH – Branschför. för Industriell och Institutionell Hygien)

Branschorganisationen Svensk Elektronik

Leverantörsföreningen för Primärbatterier

Stiftelsen Branschorganisationernas Kansli

CUSTOMERSElectrical goods customers – 1497Affiliation contracts for electricals, WEEE Directive.

Battery customers – 864Affiliation contracts for batteries, Battery Directive.

Financial guarantee – 864Agreements for financial guarantees, associated with the WEEE Directive.

Reporting agreements electrical goods – 1316Reporting agreements batteries – 649Reporting agreements whereby El-Kretsen makes the annual report to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

Affiliated customers in each category, WEEE Directive:1) Large household appliances – 1172) Small household appliances – 3163) IT, telecommunications and office equipment – 4624) Home equipment (TV, audio and video equipment) – 2535) Lighting – 4276) Electrical and electronic tools – 1637) Toys and leisure/sports equipment – 1518) Medical equipment – 2289) Surveillance and security equipment – 14710) Batteries – 72811) No product – 50

BOARDChairman: Bo Thunberg

Board members:Klas Elm – ElektronikbranschenMats Holme – MTBMatts Spångberg – EHLPer Baummann – Svensk Dagligvaruhandel Magnus Frantzell – BelysningsbranschenThomas Hedin – Samsung

Deputy board members:Anders Appelqvist – CANTUlf Gustafsson – Sveriges Bygg- och Järnhandlareförbund

Klara Norra Kyrkogata 31, SE-111 83 Stockholm, Sweden. Phone: 08-545 212 90 E-mail: info@el-kretsen.sewww.el-kretsen.se