A recent test week at Circulus demonstrated how artificial intelligence could support the early identification of electronic and electrical equipment with potential for reuse.
The trial comes as EU Member States begin applying measures under the European Right to Repair Directive. These rules aim to make repair more accessible and attractive to consumers, extend the lifetime of products and reduce electronic waste. This aligns closely with the E6 project, which is strengthening regional systems for the repair, refurbishment and reuse of electrical and electronic equipment. By helping to prevent usable devices from becoming waste, the trial supports both the project’s objectives and the wider ambitions of the Directive.
Promising results from the test week
During the test, 257 devices were registered using the Triage Tool. The initial results showed that:
- 40% of the devices were identified as potentially reusable.
- The AI identified products from a single photograph with 92% accuracy.
- No barcode scanning or manual data entry was required.
The tool uses AI-supported image recognition to provide objective, data-based information during the intake process. It is designed to support the knowledge and experience of staff, helping them assess more quickly whether an item could be reused rather than processed as waste.
Preventing devices from becoming waste
The test reflects an important principle behind the E6 project: significant environmental benefits can be achieved by preventing electrical and electronic equipment from becoming waste in the first place.
By identifying reusable products at an early stage, organisations can help keep devices and their components in circulation for longer. This can support repair and refurbishment while reducing demand for new products and raw materials.
The test week was organised by E6 project partner Circulus in collaboration with Foenix Circulair Ambachtscentrum and Belgian project partner VITO. The partners are exploring how tools such as AI can contribute to more effective regional ecosystems for repair, refurbishment and reuse.
The findings will help inform the E6 project’s wider work to extend the lifetime of electrical and electronic equipment across North-West Europe.