Galway, Ireland, October 2024 — The E6 project, a European-wide initiative tackling the rapid growth of electronic waste, convened for its second partner meeting in Galway last week. Over the course of three days, 19 partners from across North-West Europe came together to advance their shared mission of promoting a circular economy for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE).
“With a room full of circular economy enthusiasts on electronic and electrical equipment the live meeting in Galway is key for making connections for cooperation. To get inspired on possibilities and to work on tools, methods and consumer awareness for RRR. All to redirect consumer behaviour towards a lifetime of use of their EEE.” - Rianne Driessen
E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams worldwide, including in North-West Europe, where affordable, easily replaced electronic goods contribute to shorter product lifecycles. The E6 project—formally known as Ecosystems for Extended-lifetime of End-of-Use Electrical and Electronic Equipment—is working to reverse this trend by fostering a "repair-first" mindset. The initiative aims to replace the current "buy-first" approach with robust Re-use, Repair, and Refurbishment (RRR) practices.
During the meeting, project partners participated in a range of collaborative workshops, policy discussions, and presentations on work packages. Keynote sessions from thought leaders in sustainability provided further inspiration, while study visits offered insight into innovative repair and reuse operations in Ireland. These activities strengthened the collective efforts to transition towards a more resource-efficient, circular economy.
At the heart of the E6 project are six strategic tools designed to drive this shift: awareness creation, decision support, flow management, business models, data management, and integration. These tools will be piloted in six regions across Europe, engaging key stakeholders such as re-use shops, waste management facilities, and repair businesses—most importantly, with the active participation of citizens. By prioritizing the user perspective, E6 ensures that individuals understand where to go for device repairs, re-use, or refurbishment.
The knowledge and experiences exchanged among the E6 partners aim to build resilience and innovation within the RRR ecosystem. The project is set to provide a scalable model for other regions across North-West Europe to adopt, contributing to a long-term, circular transition strategy for Electrical and Electronic Equipment in European policy.
The next partner meeting will be held in Nevers, France, in the spring of 2025. As the project progresses, the E6 partnership remains committed to extending the life of electronic products, building a more sustainable future for Europe.