PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) represents the fastest-growing waste flow in the EU. It is expected to increase from about 9 million tonnes in 2005 to over 12 million tonnes by 2020. WEEE is a complex mixture of materials and components which are often also hazardous and can cause environmental damage if managed incorrectly. Moreover, the production of modern electronics is growing constantly and requires the use of rare and expensive resources. To avoid future shortages of raw materials, the reuse of as many materials as possible is needed. WEEE tends to include a significant amount of electric and electronic equipment (EEE) that is still functional. According to Eurostat, the level of WEEE that is reused or prepared for reuse is very low, both in Slovenia (0.3%) and in the EU as a whole (2%). This is linked to a lack of information and poor awareness about the importance of consumers in the circular economy model. Other barriers are: inefficient incentives to prolong the useful life of EEE through servicing, reuse and recovery; failure to share EEE; and a shortage of new sales models where services are offered instead of products.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE Turn to e-circular project aims at contributing to more effective implementation of the EUs circular economy action plan, specifically in the field of electric and electronic equipment. It seeks to change consumers habits from a current linear use of EEE (buy-use-dispose) to a circular one, with associated social, economic and environmental benefits. The project aims to achieve this by informing and involving various stakeholders, as well as through establishing the required infrastructure.
The specific objectives are to:
- Raise awareness of local target groups and stakeholders about the circular economy concept and the benefits and urgency of transitioning from a linear to a circular economy;
- Change the habits of consumers and other stakeholders when handling electronic equipment that is still operational, in accordance with circular economy principles, through innovative tools (including amobile repair shop) and availability of information and infrastructure;
- Prepare guidelines for directing electronic equipment towards reuse, being prepared for reuse and refurbishment of components for spare parts;
- Establish a network of EEE collection points with public utility companies, aimed at communicating the benefits of the circular economy and redirecting a share of e-waste to be reused or prepared for reuse;
- Set up the first Slovenian circular economy online forum as a meeting point for all interested stakeholders; and
- Encourage the development of business models within the Circular Economy concept.
The projects work is in line with the EUs circular economy package; it will also help implement the WEEE Directive and contribute indirectly to other EU environmental policy, including Directive 2006/118/EC on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration, the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive and the Eco-design Directive.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Over 50% of Slovenias population reached by the project campaigns;
- 10% of Slovenias population encouraged to change their habits, due to awareness-raising events organised locally and nationally;
- Mobile repair shop to raise consumers awareness and encourage them to have electronic devices repaired. It will also be used to inform young people about the profession of repairing electronic equipment. The shop will be open for 800 days for the duration of the project (and for 100 days/year afterwards);
- 10% increase in the network of repairers registered for repairs of non-operational EEE by the end of the project, and 25% increase in the number of repairs;
- 24 garage sales of used EEE organised, and 10 local communities set up for sharing EEE;
- 60 local collection points set up for disposal of operational EEE and WEEE that can be reused/prepared for reuse;
- 1.5% of all WEEE disposed of at the collection points prepared for reuse;
- 1% of all EEE left at the collection points disposed of for the purpose of reuse;
- Working group of key circular economy stakeholders set up, with the task of preparing instructions, guidelines and a uniform solution for households to facilitate including EEE in the process of preparing for reuse and to encourage amendments to national legislation;
- Electronic system established for monitoring the amount of EEE collected for reuse or to be prepared for reuse and the amount of WEEE eliminated;
- Set up 60 collection points for operational EEE and WEEE for reuse and preparing for reuse;
- Online circular economy platform created and mobile application to help consumers access information and offer circular economy products and services;
- Programme for development of business ideas in the circular economy field introduced in 10 companies and institutions;
- Transfer of main project results to three WEEE management schemes in the EU (Czech Republic, Romania and Italy); and
- Transfer the experience, results and project solutions to other types of products and waste (textile and furniture).
