Projekt Restwert: worth its weight in gold

The daily batch of returns has just arrived at our goods receiving department in Dintikon. Around a thousand returns pile up on the trolleys every day. Laura, one of our after-sales professionals, receives the merchandise and evaluates returns with an experienced eye. The majority of all returns come back to us intact and in their original packaging. Nevertheless, the as-new goods are subject to close inspection. If flawless, the products are put back into storage. Around 20%, on the other hand, suffered on the return journey. The packaging is torn or the box is badly dented. Sometimes devices suffer damages, but are still quite functional. Nevertheless, returned rice stoves, inflatable boats or webcams don’t always sell in the store.

Everything has to go – but not to the tip

On average, around 2000 products in this category end up in after-sales every month. That’s when our colleagues from «Projekt Restwert» spring into action. The non-profit integration company specialises in giving functional products from companies and private individuals a second life. At the same time, the organisation promotes the professional and social integration of people in special circumstances at eleven partner locations in Switzerland and helps them get back on their feet. «Projekt Restwert» accepts functional returns from us. Skilled hands get the best out of the returns and put them on sale, including a detailed description, on the second-hand platform Ricardo. Anything not auctioned off after three to six bidding cycles is donated by «Projekt Restwert» to second-hand stores or aid organisations.

Never mind red tape and bureaucracy, just get on with it

At the start of the pandemic in February 2020, Digitec Galaxus and «Projekt Restwert» launched an initial pilot project. The after-sales department no longer wanted to see functioning products rotting away in the warehouse, to be disposed of and recycled after a few months. A solution was needed, both pragmatic and sustainable. Lauritz Fricke, Head of After Sales & Retail, recalls: «I was determined to finally find an intelligent solution for functional returns. We were all convinced that the second-hand market has plenty of potential.» Restwert founder Beni Brennwald also looks back positively on the initial phase: «After brief initial talks with Lauritz, we just got going and processed the first pallet of damaged returns in our pilot phase. This uncomplicated working relationship with Digitec Galaxus is a pleasure. «Restwert» and Digitec Galaxus are making a contribution to the circular economy. At the same time, we offer people with potential for integration in the commercial or logistics sector a short-term job and professional perspective.»

From 1 to 11 in two years

The social enterprise «Projekt Restwert» follows strict basic economic principles. They generate running costs out of proceeds from auctions and by qualifying participants on behalf of IV, social welfare and RAV. Successfully. In the meantime, Restwert operates highly professionally thanks to a lean workflow and state-of-the-art software. The social franchise project has grown to eleven locations within two years and will open further salvage workshops in the second half of 2022 – including in French-speaking Switzerland.

Currently, around 150 employees work for the social enterprise, including over 20 commercial apprentices. The franchise is operated by regional social institutions. They work in a network to scale cost-effectively and continuously develop services. At Digitec Galaxus, the recycling of products has similarly grown with «Projekt Restwert» and now also includes goods from logistics and the store network. By the way: «Projekt Restwert» also accepts functional and commercially viable products from private individuals for recycling. Find the location nearest to you on their website or just stop by!

Do you think recycling functional returns is a good thing, or do you have other ideas on how we can improve the circular economy? Join the discussion here.