The kick-off meeting, hosted by Maakbaar Leuven on the 3rd and 4th of April, marks the commencement of this project that involves 20 partner organisations across Europe. In a significant stride towards sustainable resource management, the partnership will work together to increase the capacities of cities and regions for giving citizens the default option of Re-use, Repair and Refurbishment (RRR) of electrical and electronic equipment.
The inaugural meeting set the stage for collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the longevity of different types of electrical and electronic equipment, thereby mitigating the environmental impact of e-waste. Through this interreg project, the partners are facing a major challenge: extending the lifespan of electrical and electronic equipment. Nevertheless, the E6 consortium brings together experts from various domains including technology, public services provision, environment and policymaking to develop innovative strategies and solutions to prolong the lifespan of electronics, reduce waste generation, and foster a circular economy.
Commenting on the launch of the project,
Leah Ryan, programme leader with ERNACT, said:
"I was delighted to attend the kick off meeting in Leuven for the commencement of E6. This project will implement RRR (reuse, refurbishment, and repair) ecosystems in six regions across North West Europe (one of these being the Gaeltacht Region), with the goal of enhancing the regions' capabilities in managing the reuse, repair, and refurbishment of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE). As project partners and citizens, we are extremely enthusiastic about this project. We will be bringing €351,882.86 to the North West region to bolster our circular economy efforts."
During the kick-off session, partners engaged in fruitful discussions and parallel sessions with local experts and project colleagues outlining E6's objectives, timelines, and anticipated challenges and outcomes. Emphasis was placed on interdisciplinary cooperation and knowledge exchange to address the complex challenges associated with managing end-of-use electronic devices. With the commitment of diverse stakeholder groups in each participating region and the support of EU funding, the project holds promise in innovating approaches to electronics lifecycle management, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.
More about E6
The project will develop a joint strategy to create a multi-component service hub with six types of tools (awareness creation, assessment tools, skill development, new business models, data platform and methodologies). In addition, six regional action plans in Apeldoorn and City of the Hague (The Netherlands), Nièvre (France), Leuven (Belgium), Aachen (Germany) and Galway (Ireland) will test the integrated approach with key actors in the ecosystem (from re-use shops to waste management parks and new repair and refurbish business), but foremost citizens. E6 will also implement a joint action plan on learning with communities of practice, across these ecosystems and tools.