In March 2026, E6 project partners met in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, for their fifth in-person meeting, hosted by the Apeldoorn Ecosystem partners: the Municipality of Apeldoorn, Circulus and Foenix. Over three days, the consortium strengthened collaboration on circular solutions for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), combining strategic discussions with practical exchanges across local ecosystems.
Day 1: Sharing insights and practical approaches
The meeting opened at STOOM with a welcome from Saxion, followed by a keynote from Sabrina van der Linden (Rijkswaterstaat), who highlighted how circular economy policies can drive systemic change.
Discussions then turned to the role of behavioural insights in developing circular ecosystems. Thomas More shared examples of how consumer engagement can support more sustainable practices. Technical developments were also presented, with VITO providing updates on digital tools designed to facilitate EEE reuse and repair.
A visit to the Foenix circular hub offered a hands-on perspective. Participants explored initiatives such as repair cafés, a bicycle workshop, laundry services and a 3D studio, all demonstrating how local actions can extend product lifecycles and reduce waste.
In the afternoon, partners took part in Community of Practice sessions focusing on spare parts, digitally assisted sorting systems and replication strategies. A methodology workshop led by IFH supported participants in defining their ecosystem “North Star”, helping to align long-term ambitions.
Day 2: Discovering the Apeldoorn ecosystem
The second day focused on the Circulus circular craft centre, where participants joined an interactive tour under the theme “From trash to treasure”. The session showcased how the region is addressing reduction, reuse and recycling of EEE.
Workshops led by Ecosystem Apeldoorn introduced practical tools and approaches, including demonstrations of KPRS systems, education programme development and interactive feedback sessions.
Policy frameworks were also discussed, with Michele Donck (Foundation OpenNL) presenting on extended producer responsibility. The day concluded with a plenary session reviewing E6 outputs and expected results, reinforcing shared priorities across partner regions.
Day 3: Turning strategy into action
The final day, held at Apeldoorn City Hall, focused on governance and implementation. A Steering Committee meeting ensured alignment at project level, followed by a series of targeted workshops.
Sessions explored key themes such as circular business models, service hub testing and joint training schemes. These interactive discussions helped partners translate concepts into concrete actions, supporting the replication of circular EEE ecosystems across Europe.
The meeting closed with a wrap-up session and networking lunch, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the project.
Strengthening cooperation across Europe
The fifth E6 meeting underlined the importance of in-person exchange in advancing both innovation and policy alignment. By combining strategic dialogue, technical progress and real-world examples, partners strengthened their capacity to scale circular solutions for EEE across regions.
The outcomes from Apeldoorn will feed directly into the project’s final phase, supporting the transition towards more sustainable and resource-efficient systems across Europe.