On the run-up to Christmas the run on digital cameras has begun. It is likely that friends and family members will be thinking about giving a camera as a present. Few know, however, that they will be paying an increased recycling fee. The fee allows used cameras to be returned to every dealer free-of-charge. A Swiss nationwide campaign was launched on the 1st December with the aim of persuading people to return their old cameras.

The campaign was devised by the Syndicate of Swiss Camera Retailers (ISFL) in partnership with the Verband Fotohandel Schweiz (VFS), and the Swiss Trade Association for Information, Communication and Organisational Technology (SWICO).

The campaign‘‘s mascot is Bert, a tired and shabby-looking bird, who is intended to remind people to bring in their old cameras for recycling.

Not only will people be able to free up space at home, but they will also be helping to protect the environment. Experts estimate that there are around 3200 tonnes of photographic equipment lying unused in Swiss households and will sooner or later be thrown out. This quantity alone justifies the need for environmentally-friendly disposal, especially as cameras contain batteries that are highly damaging to the environment. They also contain valuable materials that can be reused or recycled.

Photographic cameras and accessories can be returned free-of-charge to any retailer that sells cameras. This also includes camera makes that the respective dealer does not have in his range of goods