eWAsTER Euro-MED project

♻️ Europe’s circular economy is gaining real momentum — from stronger WEEE compliance systems to major new investments in recycling and recovery.
One inspiring example is our project WEEE BEHAVE pilot action, showing how local communities, education, and stakeholder cooperation can drive long-term behavioural change in electronic waste collection. 🌍🔋
🔋The recent Temu–Electrão partnership also shows how online marketplaces are increasingly integrating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance into circular systems across Europe, strengthening transparency and responsible take-back of products.

From Portugal’s successful Escola Electrão initiative to new EU-wide commitments for circular investment, the message is clear:
👉 Sustainable electronics management starts with awareness, participation, and shared responsibility.
The future of WEEE is not only about recycling — it’s about changing behaviour for a more circular Europe. 🇪🇺
SEE MORE HERE 👇
https://ewaster.interreg-euro-med.eu/2026/06/01/circular-economy-momentum-grows-across-europe/
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Interreg Euro-MED Programme

♻️ Portugal is taking a major step toward a stronger circular economy! 🇵🇹🔋📺
A new Portuguese law introduces direct financial incentives to encourage consumers to return old electrical and electronic equipment through official recycling channels — helping reduce waste leakage into the grey market and boosting responsible WEEE management.
💡 What changes for consumers?
✔️ Return your old appliance when buying a new one
✔️ Receive an immediate discount at purchase
✔️ Devices must be complete and intact
✔️ Discounts may even be transferable across product categories
📺 Current equipment covered:
• Fridges
• Freezers
• Air conditioners
• Televisions
🏪 What this means for retailers:
• Accept eligible returns regardless of where they were purchased
• Register returns through a digital platform
• Ensure proper storage and transfer to licensed waste operators
• Receive reimbursement within 5 working days after validation
This is more than a recycling measure — it is a practical incentive that connects consumer action, retailer engagement, and environmental responsibility.
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Interreg Euro-MED Programme PACT - Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia

🇬🇷 Live from Athens | Circle the Med – Mediterranean Forum

The Mediterranean is not only facing global challenges — it is also becoming a space where collaboration, innovation, and action are shaping solutions for a sustainable future! We are proud to see contributing to this important dialogue at the MED Innovation Summit 2026, bringing together leaders, innovators, researchers, and changemakers committed to accelerating the green transition, strengthening climate resilience, and building a more sustainable Mediterranean region.
🎤 Prof. Soumodip Sarkar, Executive President of PACT, joined the panel “Economies of Regeneration: Redesigning Growth for a Sustainable Future”

PACT - Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia
Δήμος Ρεθύμνης ~ Municipality of Rethymno
Interreg Euro-MED Programme

✅EWAsTER was proudly represented at the 2nd Interreg Euro-MED Italy Forum 2026 in Rome by Regione Marche, strengthening Mediterranean cooperation for sustainable and innovative waste management. 🇮🇹
🎯The project’s Action Plan and 0WEE Procure Pilot Action sparked valuable discussions on circular economy solutions and the future of e-waste management.

🙏Special thanks to Lorenzo Federiconi and the Marche Region for representing the project and contributing to valuable discussions on circular economy and e-waste solutions.

🌐More details: https://ewaster.interreg-euro-med.eu/2026/05/19/2nd-interreg-euro-med-italy-forum-2026/

Interreg Euro-MED Programme

🤝 Meet us in Athens!
A New Pact for a Sustainable Mediterranean Future
📍 Venue: Piraeus Sailing Club | Athens, Greece
📅 19–21 May 2026

The eWAsTER project is joining the conversation shaping a more sustainable Mediterranean region! Our lead partner PACT - Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia and оur project communication manager will be present at the MED Innovation Summit 2026, taking place within the 9th Circle the Med Forum, one of the Mediterranean’s leading platforms for sustainability, innovation, resilience, and green transition.
🎤 Featured participation – 20 May
Prof. Soumodip Sarkar, Executive President of PACT and representative of the eWAsTER Project, will participate as a panelist in the afternoon session:
"Economies of Regeneration: Redesigning Growth for a Sustainable Future"

The discussion will explore how innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange can redefine value creation and accelerate sustainable solutions for resilient regional economies, highlighting successful practices emerging from the ISE Mission Thematic Projects.
🌍 This year’s Summit focuses on:
♻️ Sustainable use of natural resources
🌱 Climate-smart resilience
🔄 Regenerative economic models
🏙️ Green Living Areas and community-led governance
Over three inspiring days, participants from across the Euro-MED region — policymakers, innovators, researchers, public authorities, civil society, and businesses — will exchange ideas, build partnerships, and explore solutions that can drive systemic territorial transformation.

Interreg Euro-MED Programme

🌍🔧 REPAIR CAFÉ Workshop – Celebrate World Environment Day with Us! ♻️✨
Join us on Friday, 5 June at CPU Slovenske Konjice for a community repair workshop promoting sustainability, repair skills, and waste reduction.
Co-organized by our project partner Okoljsko raziskovalni zavod (ORZ) and Center Ponovne Uporabe (Reuse center Slovenia), the event will also highlight the EWAsTER project and the importance of repairing and reusing small WEEE (electrical and electronic equipment).
🛠️ What to expect?
Bring your broken or unused small items and learn how to give them a second life with the help of volunteers and repair experts!
Repair Cafés help:
✅ Reduce waste and e-waste
✅ Extend product lifespan
✅ Share practical repair skills
✅ Promote sustainable living and circular economy practices
Whether it’s clothing, household objects, or small electrical devices — every repaired item matters. 💚
📅 Date & Time
Friday, 5 June
15:00 – 17:00
📍 Location
CPU Slovenske Konjice
Tattenbachova ulica 5d
3210 Slovenske Konjice, Slovenia

🎟️ Free workshop – No registration required!

Let’s take care of our planet together and give our small items a second chance instead of throwing them away. 🌎♻️

Interreg Euro-MED Programme

💫Excited to join the 2nd Interreg Euro-MED Italy Forum in Rome!
On behalf of the EWAsTER Consortium partners, Regione Marche is proud to participate in this important gathering of Italian and Euro-Mediterranean stakeholders, organized by the Interreg Euro-MED Programme and the Tuscany Region.

📍 FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino, Rome
📅 15 May 2026

The Forum represents a unique opportunity to strengthen cooperation, exchange innovative ideas, and build stronger synergies among regional authorities, institutions, and project partners working toward a more sustainable and resilient Mediterranean area.
🌍 partners are especially looking forward to connecting with our valued partner, the Marche Region, and engaging in meaningful discussions around capitalization, transferability of results, and future collaborative actions within the Euro-MED Missions.
🤝 Events like this are essential for transforming project outcomes into long-term impact, fostering cross-border collaboration, and accelerating sustainable innovation across the Mediterranean region. We are ready to contribute, collaborate, and co-create solutions for a greener and smarter future!
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Interreg Euro-MED Programme

🌍 Save the Date: EWAsTER Final Project Conference
📍 Varna, Bulgaria
📅 14 July 2026

The moment we’ve been working toward is almost here!

🌊On behalf of the EWAsTER Project Consortium, we are excited to announce the Final Project Conference, hosted by UBBSLA in the dynamic coastal city of Varna.
🌊This landmark event will bring together regions, cities, experts, stakeholders, and innovators from across the MED area and beyond. Together, we will share knowledge, spark collaboration, and showcase forward-thinking solutions to one of today’s urgent challenges: preventing e-waste from polluting our waters by transforming it into a valuable resource.

Join us as we celebrate progress, exchange ideas, and shape the future of sustainable e-waste management.
🔹 More details coming soon
🔹 Mark your calendar and stay tuned

Interreg Euro-MED Programme

🌍♻️ From Local Action to European Impact: EWAsTER 5th Validation Workshop
Last two days, we are in Rethymno - a place blessed with beauty, embraced by breathtaking mountains and the deep blue of the Mediterranean. Hosted by the Δήμος Ρεθύμνης ~ Municipality of Rethymno, the hybrid workshop brought together project partners, local authorities, and leading experts to advance collaboration on WEEE management and circular economy solutions.
The event opened with warm welcoming remarks from the Vice Mayor of Rethymno, Mr. Stelios Spanoudakis, and the Executive President of PACT - Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia, Mr. Soumodip Sarkar, highlighting the importance of strong European cooperation in tackling the growing challenge of electronic waste.
💡 The main focus of the workshop was the review of the project’s pilot actions — WEEE Behave, WEEE Procure, and WEEE Reuse — presented by partners from different regions. Discussions also explored:
✔ key solutions selected for future endorsement
✔ conditions for their future adoption in partner regions
✔ insights for transfer and capitalisation of results within the project
The programme concluded with a study visit to the Amari Waste Collection Center and the iconic Arkadi Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site), combining practical learning with cultural heritage experience.
✨ The workshop marked an important milestone for EWAsTER, reinforcing collaboration and supporting the transition from local pilot actions to sustainable, scalable solutions for e-waste management across Europe.
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Interreg Euro-MED Programme

Okoljsko raziskovalni zavod Regione Marche Consorcio RSU Málaga LINK Poduzetnički centar Δήμος Αραδίππου - Municipality of Aradippou Općina Neum