PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) remains the fastest-growing waste stream in the EU, with volumes increasing steadily each year. According to Eurostat, the total WEEE generated in the EU reached over 10.9 million tonnes in 2020, and this is projected to exceed 14 million tonnes by 2030 if current trends continue. WEEE is a complex and often hazardous mixture of materials and components, and if not properly managed, it poses serious environmental and health risks. At the same time, the production of modern electronics continues to grow, relying on critical raw materials such as rare earths, gold and palladium, many of which are at risk of supply disruption.
Despite this, reuse and preparation for reuse remain extremely low. According to the latest Eurostat data, only 2.2% of WEEE collected in the EU is prepared for reuse, while in Slovenia, the figure remains below 1% (around 0.3%). A large share of collected EEE is still functional or repairable, yet it is often prematurely treated as waste. This shortfall is largely due to limited consumer awareness, a lack of reuse-friendly infrastructure, and inadequate incentives to prolong product life through servicing, sharing, or alternative business models (such as leasing or product-as-a-service).
Overcoming these barriers is crucial to reducing environmental pressures, improving resource efficiency and moving closer to the EU’s Circular Economy goals. Greater focus on consumer engagement, preparation for reuse infrastructure and legal recognition of reuse targets will be essential to closing the loop in the EEE sector.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE Turn to e-circular project aimed to contribute to a more effective implementation of the EU’s circular economy action plan, specifically in the field of electric and electronic equipment. It sought 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 aimed to achieve this by informing and involving various stakeholders, as well as through establishing the required infrastructure.
The specific objectives were 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 a mobile 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
- encourage the development of business models within the Circular Economy concept
The project’s work was to be in line with the EU’s circular economy package. It would also help implement the WEEE Directive and contribute indirectly to other EU environmental policies, including Directive 2006/118/EC on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration.
RESULTS
The LIFE Turn to e-circular project contributed successfully to the implementation of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan in the field of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). It promoted a shift from the traditional “buy-use-dispose” model to a circular approach by raising awareness, changing consumer habits and building the infrastructure needed to support reuse, repair and sharing. Over the course of the project, more than 61% of Slovenia’s population was reached, and 27% reported behavioural changes aligned with circular economy principles.
The project established 66 reuse corners at municipal collection centres, exceeding the original target of 60, and created 13 sharing communities. Through these and other interventions, 247 tonnes of EEE were kept in use via repair, reuse and sharing, avoiding an estimated 1 835 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions. The mobile E-transformer 2.0 truck served as a travelling awareness unit, complemented by 100 practical repair videos hosted on the iFixit platform (with >1 200 000 users), helping citizens extend the lifespan of their devices.
To support structural changes and also policy improvements, the project developed coordinated findings for preparation for reuse, delivered through expert working groups and national consultations. Via a comprehensive dissemination campaign, it promoted repair and reuse services, and supported the development of circular business models in over 10 companies, with several promising start-up ideas pitched to investors.
The project's influence extended beyond Slovenia, demonstrating the strong potential for replication. Its tools and approaches were replicated in pilot actions in Italy, Romania, the Czech Republic, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, and the ‘Sure, you can!’ videos were disseminated across different EU countries.
Policy relevance was strong, with formal legislative proposals submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, supporting the definition of reuse targets and waste-status reform. The project’s impact, visibility and replication potential ensure its relevance well beyond its official duration.
