PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The LIFE WEEELOOP project proposes a new holistic management system for WEEE, based on circular economy models particularly focused on the recovery of materials and components of kitchen hobs (induction, radiant and hybrid) achieving a recovery rate of 90%. For this, the project will incorporate new technologies and processes to facilitate the extraction and separation of components and materials, as well as a new line of eco-design, in support of a circularity initiative within the EU, minimizing the environmental impact, the extraction of virgin valuable materials and the dependence on suppliers from outside EU. The project will later be expanded to other lines of appliances and electronic devices (dishwashers, washing machines…) and to other EU countries (Portugal, France, Czech Republic…). In short, the long-term effect of this project is to achieve an optimization at all levels of the recovery indicators of electrical and electronic equipment. In addition, the project will implement a Digital Passport solution in the recovered components, being the first time that a specific Digital Passport will have been developed for electrical and electronic components recovered. The introduction of a Digital Passport even in the manufacturing phase facilitates long-term management as waste. Finally, the LIFE WEEELOOP project will carry out the industrialisation of an eco-designed induction hob that will include components and materials recovered from waste. The LIFE WEEELOOP project unites stakeholders across the waste and product value chain, including a Producers Responsibility Organization (PRO) (ECOLEC) managing selective WEEE collection, a circular economy expert (Circular Replay) enhancing waste valorization and traceability with digital passports, WEEE repair and preparing for reuse experts (Emaús and Éxxita), and a global component manufacturer for domestic appliances (COPRECI).