E-waste of old hard discs
Ladislav Kubeš from Getty Images

Circular WEEEP

Project overview

Design and test of policies for reducing, repairing, recovering and reusing waste from electrical, electronic equipment and plastic in Central Europe.

Discarded electrical and electronic equipment is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in Europe. Regional approaches to reducing, recovering and reusing such equipment need to be better coordinated to prevent illegal waste trafficking and disposal across borders. The Circular WEEEP project connects public authorities to identify good practices and define common waste criteria. The partners also plan to develop and test a transnational strategy on the circular management of electronics waste.

2,34m €

Project Budget

80%

of the Budget is funded by ERDF

Layer 1

7

Countries

10

Regions

12

Partners

5

Pilots

Duration

Start date

End date

Project progress

55%

About the project

The Circular WEEEP project addresses the rapidly growing issue of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Europe, where the WEEE Directive mandates a 65% collection rate of all WEEE placed on the market in the preceding three years. With partners from the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, and Austria, representing eight regions, the project tackles the diverse management practices and regulations of effective WEEE management. Central European countries are particularly vulnerable to illegal WEEE transfers. To combat these challenges, it is crucial to establish unified waste management criteria across the transnational Central European area. The Circular WEEEP Initiative aims to develop improved local and regional WEEE management models, align with the EU’s “Circular Electronics Initiative,” facilitate joint planning, and enhance collaboration among partner regions. By doing so, the initiative seeks to improve WEEE collection and recycling, mitigate illegal shipments, and promote sustainable electronics management across Central Europe.

Project partnership

Project partners

Česko (CZ)

Lead partner

Czech Technical University in Prague

University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings
Address
Třinecká 1024
273 43 Buštěhrad
Country
Czechia (CZ)
Web
https://www.cvut.cz/en

Project partner

Address
Via Dario Campana 64
47922 Rimini
Country
Italy (IT)
Web
https://www.provincia.rimini.it/hh/index.php
Total partner budget
208,160 €
Address
Izieniska ulica 2
3250 Rogaska Slatina
Country
Slovenia (SI)
Web
https://www.rogaska-slatina.si/si/
Total partner budget
77,000 €
Address
VRAZOVA ULICA 9 9
2270 ORMOŽ
Country
Slovenia (SI)
Web
https://www.cpu-reuse.com/
Total partner budget
239,400 €
Address
DOMOVINSKOG RATA 2
21000 SPLIT
Country
Croatia (HR)
Web
www.rera.hr
Total partner budget
255,850 €
Address
Via Pirandello 31/B
37138 Verona
Country
Italy (IT)
Web
www.associazioneasso.it
Total partner budget
182,500 €
Address
Vajanskeho nabrezie 3
814 21 Bratislava
Country
Slovakia (SK)
Web
www.staremesto.sk
Total partner budget
189,000 €
International Project Department
Address
Cieszyńska 43-382
365 Bielsko-Biała
Country
Poland (PL)
Web
https://arrsa.pl/
Total partner budget
184,800 €
Starostwo Powiatowe w Bielsku-Białej
Address
Cieszyńska 40
43-300 Bielsko-Biała
Country
Poland (PL)
Web
www.powiat.bielsko.pl
Total partner budget
175,000 €
Lublin City Hall
Address
Plac Króla Władysława Łokietka 1
20-109 Lublin
Country
Poland (PL)
Web
https://lublin.eu/en/
Total partner budget
112,000 €
Department Water, Atmosphere and Environment; Institute of Waste Management
Address
Muthgasse 107
1190 Wien
Country
Austria (AT)
Web
https://boku.ac.at/en/
Total partner budget
268,800 €
Community Facilities Management
Address
Nowe Ogrody 8/12
80-803 Gdańsk
Country
Poland (PL)
Web
www.gdansk.pl
Total partner budget
95,200 €

Roadmap

1

Context

Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is rapidly increasing in Europe. The WEEE Directive of 2019 mandates a minimum collection rate of 65% for WEEE. This is particularly challenging due to the varied directives and initiatives across different countries and regions, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, and Austria.

2

Specific problem

The Circular WEEEP areas face significant discrepancies in WEEE management practices and are further burdened by illegal WEEE shipments. Central European countries, reporting frequent violations over the past five years, are particularly vulnerable to illegal transfers, exacerbating the need for unified waste management criteria.

3

Idea

To combat these challenges, Circular WEEEP partners are collaborating to achieve the project objective. This initiative aims to harmonize local and regional WEEE management models, aligning with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan's "Circular Electronics Initiative" recommendations, through coordinated planning and promotion.

4

Solution

Partners will develop a Joint Strategy for Transnational WEEE management, implementing it through 6 Action Plans and testing 5 innovative pilot actions: WEEE design, WEEE collect/market, WEEE social, WEEE lives, and WEEE aware. These efforts will promote large-scale solutions and establish long-term commitments for transnational WEEE management cooperation.

News

Events

Pilot actions

Outputs

Jointly developed strategies and action plans

We have crafted a comprehensive strategy to tackle the challenges facing Central Europe's WEEE sector. Conclusions on the Central Europe WEEEP Assessment is based on in-depth research, including a thorough analysis of the region's WEEE market, policies, and stakeholder perspectives. By identifying key challenges and opportunities, we have developed a shared vision for a sustainable future. The Transnational WEEEP-CE Management Strategy outlines our ambitious goals, while our practical methodology will ensure its successful implementation at the local and regional levels.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
source:pixabay.com

Enhancing sustainability: Jointly developed solutions

To facilitate the Strategy application in the Programme areas, the consortium will develop various tools and services. An online self-assessment tool will enable the self-definition of Action Plans. A Joint Secretariat will support strategy integration and provide technical assistance. Additionally, video tutorials and manuals to guide the use of these tools will be created.
Type of output: Solutions
In development

Circular WEEEP

The project lead partner is responsible for the content of this project website.

Project on social media

Project Contacts

Project Manager

Michal Tobiáš
Phone: +420776636178

Finance Manager

Štěpánka Holečková
Phone: +420776520794

Communication Manager

Maja Vukan Bušić
Phone: +385 167 7307