After having run twenty pilots across Europe in the past two years, the ECOSWEEE project, co-funded by the EU, has presented vital insights for enhancing the collection of small end-of-use electricals and batteries.
ECOSWEEE emphasises the importance of engaging retailers as key facilitators, and prioritising user convenience to create sustainable, scalable collection models. A combination of incentives, as opposed to one single incentive, is more effective in collecting more end-of-use items. Incentives can stimulate participation but are never the sole success driver – infrastructure, demographics and legislation have a strong impact too.
The project identified the following constitutive elements for environmentally and economically sustainable outcomes.
Two pilots highlighted the growing issue of e-vapes, addressing challenges such as low awareness, growing quantities consumed, inappropriate disposal, and fire risks from lithium batteries.
Says Pascal Leroy, Director-General of the WEEE Forum, the coordinator of the project: “The project recommends establishing a dedicated e-vape collection network, particularly through retail stores, supported by strong promotional campaigns. Products should be designed to make it easier to remove batteries safely. And we call on the legislator to introduce clear regulatory measures for the safe transport and disposal of e-vapes, including fire prevention protocols.”
The project’s conclusions and recommendations provide practical guidance for policymakers, offering scalable solutions to improve small e-waste and battery collection systems. By addressing gaps in infrastructure, retailer involvement, and incentive structures, ECOSWEEE supports the development of waste legislation aligned with the EU’s circular economy goals.
See the detailed findings here: https://www.ecosweee-life.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/D5.1-Conclusions-recommendations-Booklet-V4.pdf
About the ECOSWEEE Project
The ECOSWEEE project, co-financed by the EU LIFE Programme, aimed to design and test innovative methods to increase the collection and recycling rates of small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and portable batteries. By exploring scalable strategies and fostering collaboration, the project contributes to a sustainable circular economy.
The WEEE Forum a.i.s.b.l. is an international association representing 51 producer responsibility organisations across the globe. Together with our members, we are at the forefront of turning the extended producer responsibility principle into an effective electronic waste management policy approach through our combined knowledge of the technical, business and operational aspects of collection, logistics, de-pollution, processing, preparing for reuse and reporting of e-waste. Our mission is to be the world’s foremost e-waste competence centre excelling in the implementation of the circularity principle.
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