Today we would like to introduce the Circular WEEEP project, part of the Interreg Central Europe programme, which addresses one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges: the growing stream of electronic and plastic waste.

About Circular WEEEP

Circular WEEEP brings together public authorities, research bodies, and businesses to transform the current linear “take–make–dispose” model into a circular system where valuable materials are reduced, repaired, recovered, and reused. 

Through the development of a shared transnational strategy and local pilot actions, Circular WEEEP supports regions in preventing illegal waste trafficking, reducing landfill dependency, and fostering green innovation. With partners from seven European countries, the project actively contributes to the EU’s transition toward a fully circular economy. 

Focus area 

Circular WEEEP addresses waste reduction at multiple stages of the product lifecycle, from design to repair, reuse, collection, and recovery. The project applies a holistic approach aligned with the EU waste hierarchy: 

• Prevention and sustainable design: enabling longer product lifespans, better repairability, and circular material flows. 
• Repair and reuse: promoting repair culture and second-hand electronics markets. 
• Collection and recycling: strengthening WEEE collection systems, developing digital tools, and reintegrating secondary materials into the economy. 
• Education and governance: aligning policies, raising awareness, and supporting innovative business models that bridge policy design with real implementation. 

The result is a coordinated and coherent transnational system for WEEEP management that supports circularity at every stage. 

Key achievements 

Circular WEEEP has accomplished several milestones that significantly improve cross-border electronic waste management: 

1. Joint Strategy for Transnational WEEEP Management

A shared strategy implemented through 6 Action Plans, enabling regions to work with common goals and coordinated approaches. 

2. Five innovative pilot actions

• WEEE Design: Enhancing product design for easier recycling and longer durability. 
• WEEE Collect/Market: Creating an ICT solution for e-waste collection and an online marketplace for secondary raw materials. 
• WEEE Social: Engaging NGOs and social enterprises in WEEE management. 
• WEEE Lives: Encouraging repair services and the second-hand electronics market. 
• WEEE Aware: Implementing awareness-raising campaigns in schools, communities, and public institutions. 

3. Tools and services to support implementation

These include an online self-assessment tool that enables regions to define tailored Action Plans and scale up long-term transnational cooperation in WEEE management. 

4. Key resources for the EWWR community

Circular WEEEP offers practical tools that can inspire waste-reduction initiatives: 

• WEEE Educational Pack for Schools: ready-to-use teaching materials on e-waste prevention and repair culture. 
• Community Waste Audit & Action Planner: an easy-to-use tool for measuring waste and planning targeted reduction actions. 

How to get involved 

Circular WEEEP welcomes participation from citizens, companies, institutions, and policymakers: 

Citizens and schools 

• Bring old devices to official collection points. 
• Choose repair and reuse over replacement. 
• Take part in local awareness or collection campaigns. 

Companies 

• Integrate eco-design principles such as repairability, recyclability, and alignment with EU directives. 

Public institutions 

• Share best practices and promote the economic, social, and environmental benefits of effective WEEE management. 

Local and regional authorities 

• Support the development of the upcoming online platform that will act as a data repository for WEEE collection and market information. 

Partnering with EWWR 

Circular WEEEP proudly participates in the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), recognising it as a crucial platform for promoting prevention, reuse, and circular thinking. 

For the 2025 edition, Circular WEEEP will organize mobile demonstration events, transforming policies into hands-on local action. The project values the EWWR’s unique ability to inspire behavioural change and show how community-driven initiatives contribute to large-scale environmental transformation. 

Advice for EWWR Action Developers 

Create activities that clearly demonstrate how repairing, reusing, and correctly collecting electronic devices can significantly reduce waste and keep valuable materials in circulation.
Consider: 

• School challenges on repair or WEEE collection 
• Community collection points 
• Small repair workshops 
• Simple guides on device lifespan extension and proper disposal points 

These actions empower communities to take meaningful steps toward a more circular and resource-smart lifestyle.