Search the EPA Research Database

Project title

Research of UPcycling supports to increase reuse, with a focus on WEEE (UpWEEE).

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Limerick (UL)

Lead Applicant

Colin Fitzpatrick

Project Abstract

The UpWEEE project will deliver a suite of policy options aimed at supporting reuse of waste electrical and electronic equipment in order to support an embryonic WEEE reuse sector and development of a circular economy in Ireland. Based on a comprehensive quantitative review of official EU statistics on reuse it will conduct a thorough policy review of selected countries which are pioneering in the area of reuse, interviewing stakeholders across the WEEE value chain to identify the key policies which are enabling its success. The measures which provide the greatest support for upcycling of WEEE identified from other countries will be mapped onto the Irish WEEE management value chain and it will propose specific roles and responsibilities within the Irish WEEE system. It will also explore how EU Product Policy, specifically the implementing measures of the ErP Directive could be used to mandate specific design features that enable reuse. This will be based on field work conducted at an approved preparing for reuse of weee organisation in Ireland. Finally, the project will ensure that its findings are clearly communicated to the most important stakeholders in this field. The expected outputs and impacts include -A final report -A synthesis report. -One peer reviewed journal article in Environmental Science & Technology (I.F. 5.257). -A 2-page summary report, at the end of the project, for inclusion on the EPA website. -An oral presentation at Electronics Goes Green 2016+ in Berlin. -A recorded webinar suitable for the general public which can be disseminated using social media -A presentation of the results to a session of the National WEEE Monitoring Group. -A dedicated webinar will be organised for the Southern Waste Region, Eastern & Midlands Waste Region & Connaught Ulster Waste Regions . -A dedicated meeting or webinar will be organised for the Office of Government Procurement to communicate the most relevant outcomes of the project to them. -It will be offered to the WEEE compliance schemes to present the findings at the general meetings of their members. -A press release issued by the UL Press Office. The impact of the project will include -The capacity to grow the Irish reuse sector -Measures suitable for inclusion in the ErP Directive -Research capacity to lead H2020 projects on this topic

Grant Approved

�91,546.78

Research Hub

Sustainability

Research Theme

Socio-Economic Considerations

Start Date

29/03/2016

Initial Projected Completion Date

29/03/2017