eWAsTER Euro-MED project

19/08/2026

♻️ FROM PILOTS TO LASTING IMPACT: eWAsTER’S KEY TRANSFER PACKAGE IS HERE! 🌍
How can successful e-waste solutions move beyond individual pilot territories and create lasting change across the Mediterranean?
The project has taken an important step towards answering this question with its Report on Identified Transnational Solutions and Transfer Package for Upscaling — a key project output designed to turn tested experience into practical knowledge, tools and pathways for future action.

💡 What makes this deliverable special?
Rather than simply documenting what was done, the Transfer Package looks at what can be replicated, where it can work, what needs to be adapted, and what conditions are needed for successful uptake.

🚀 BUT THIS IS NOT THE END.
The Transfer Package represents a bridge between what eWAsTER has tested and what Mediterranean territories can do next. Its ambition is to reduce the uncertainty of replication, help future adopters select and adapt the right solutions, and accelerate the transfer of proven approaches across the Euro-MED area. Because the real impact of a project is not only measured by what happens during its lifetime — but by what continues, spreads and inspires action afterwards.

>>> Explore the Transfer Package for Upscaling and discover the eWAsTER Key Outputs & Results: https://ewaster.interreg-euro-med.eu/what-we-achieve/

Interreg Euro-MED Programme

14/07/2026

💫Today, the beautiful city of Varna, Bulgaria, became the meeting point for partners, policymakers, researchers, environmental experts and local authorities from across the Mediterranean as we proudly hosted the Final Conference of the Project.

The conference was officially opened with inspiring welcome addresses by the host organisation Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities (UBBSLA), the project's Lead Partner PACT - Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia – Portugal, the Deputy Mayor of Municipality - София Колева, and Mr. Guillaume JAVOUREZ, the Project officer from the JS of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, who highlighted the importance of joint action, local leadership and international cooperation in tackling one of today's most pressing environmental challenges.
After months of collaboration, innovation and shared commitment, we celebrated much more than the completion of a project—we celebrated the power of European cooperation to transform one of today's fastest-growing environmental challenges into real opportunities for a circular future.
Throughout the day, participants explored the project's achievements, inspiring pilot actions and practical solutions demonstrating that electronic waste is not just waste—it is a valuable resource waiting to be recovered, reused and given a second life.
From engaging schools and local communities to supporting public authorities, businesses and decision-makers, eWAsTER has shown that preventing e-waste from polluting Mediterranean waters requires collective action, innovative thinking and strong partnerships.
The conference featured:
♻️ Inspiring keynote speeches on the Circular Economy and European cooperation;
🌍 Presentation of eWAsTER's most significant achievements, tools and policy recommendations;
🤝 Dynamic discussions with partners from Portugal, Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain and Bulgaria;
💡 Innovative community solutions for reducing e-waste pollution;
🚀 A forward-looking dialogue on scaling successful practices across the Mediterranean region.
Although the eWAsTER project is reaching its official conclusion, its impact is only beginning. The knowledge created, partnerships established and solutions developed will continue to support the transition towards cleaner waters, stronger circular economies and more sustainable communities across Europe.

A sincere thank you to all project partners PACT - Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia, Δήμος Ρεθύμνης ~ Municipality of Rethymno, Regione Marche, Okoljsko raziskovalni zavod, , Consorcio RSU Málaga, LINK Poduzetnički centar, Δήμος Αραδίππου - Municipality of Aradippou, speakers, participants and the Interreg Euro-MED Programme for making this remarkable journey possible.
Together, we proved that when Europe works together, yesterday's waste becomes tomorrow's resource.
💚 Because every electronic device deserves a second chance—and so does our planet.

Interreg Euro-MED Programme

29/06/2026

🌍⚡ What if yesterday’s electronics could power tomorrow’s solutions?
We usually see old phones, broken laptops, and forgotten cables as “waste”…
But what if they were actually untapped resources waiting for a second life?
💡 Join us in Varna for the eWAsTER Final Project Conference — where ideas turn into action and electronic waste becomes a starting point for innovation, circular economy, and smarter policies for the future of our cities and waters.
This is not just another conference.
It’s where:
🔄 waste meets innovation
🌊 environmental challenges meet real solutions
🤝 policy meets practice
🚀 ideas become scalable impact
Expect inspiring discussions, European perspectives, and real project results that show how e-waste can move from a global problem → to a local opportunity.
📍 Varna
📅 14 July 2026
🎯 Final Project Conference – eWAsTER

Because the future doesn’t need more waste.
It needs better thinking.

Interreg Euro-MED Programme

25/06/2026

PACT - Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia is inviting visitors to take part in a hands-on experience with an innovative Virtual Reality application designed to help identify, separate and properly recycle waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
🎮 Try it. Explore it. Challenge yourself.
💡 Share your feedback and help us improve a tool that supports smarter environmental behaviour.

📍 Where: PACT stand at the S. João Fair, Évora
📅 When: Until July 5
🕘 Time: From 18:00 daily

This interactive pilot is part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness, educate citizens, and promote responsible management of electronic waste through immersive learning and innovation.
Come visit us, experience the VR application, and be part of the change toward a more circular and sustainable future ♻️

Interreg Euro-MED Programme

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐦 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐞! ♻️🔌

No âmbito do projeto eWAsTER Euro-MED project , o PACT - Parque do Alentejo de Ciência e Tecnologia está a recolher feedback sobre uma aplicação de realidade virtual que ajuda a identificar, separar e reciclar resíduos e equipamentos eletrónicos (REEE).

Passe no nosso stand na Feira de São João, experimente a app e dê-nos a sua opinião.

📅 Até 5 de julho
🕘 A partir das 18h00
📍 Stand do PACT na Feira de S. João em Évora

Esta iniciativa faz parte de um teste piloto, realizado com o objetivo de sensibilizar e educar sobre a correta gestão destes resíduos.

O projeto eWAsTER Euro-MED projecteWAsTER Euro-MED project é cofinanciado pela União Europeia através do Interreg Euro-MED 2021-2027.

18/06/2026

🎉 The Final EWAsTER Newsletter has arrived! ♻️💚
After 30 months of collaboration, innovation, and commitment, the Interreg Euro-MED Project is reaching its final chapter—but its impact is only beginning.
Together, partners from across the Mediterranean have demonstrated that electronic waste is far more than an environmental challenge. It is an opportunity to drive innovation, strengthen communities, inspire responsible consumption, and accelerate Europe's transition towards a circular economy.
**Discover the highlights in our final newsletter:**
✅ The project's major achievements and lasting results
🔌 Success stories from our pilot actions: WEEE BEHAVE, WEEE REUSE, and WEEE PROCURE
🌍 How EWAsTER contributes to Europe's circular economy ambitions
🤝 Lessons learned through international cooperation, policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange
📅 Exclusive invitation to the EWAsTER Final Conference – 14 July 2026 | Varna, Bulgaria
The project leaves behind more than successful activities—it delivers tested methodologies, transferable solutions, stronger partnerships, and empowered communities** ready to continue building a more sustainable future.
💡 Because when education, innovation, public policies, and citizen engagement work together, electronic waste becomes a valuable resource—not a burden.

📖 Read the final newsletter here:
https://ewaster.interreg-euro-med.eu/newsletters/
🚀 Stay tuned as we celebrate the project's legacy and take the next step towards a greener, smarter, and more circular Europe.

Interreg Euro-MED Programme

11/06/2026

🇪🇸♻️ Spain closes an important chapter of the eWAsTER journey — but the momentum for change continues.
The final stakeholder event in Spain brought together local authorities, environmental experts, waste management professionals, educators, businesses and community representatives to reflect on the achievements of the eWAsTER project and explore how successful pilot actions can continue creating impact beyond the project’s lifetime.
The event highlighted a shared commitment to tackling one of the fastest-growing environmental challenges of our time: electronic waste. Through collaboration, innovation and citizen engagement, partners demonstrated how local actions can contribute to a more circular and sustainable Mediterranean region.
💡 Key messages from the Spanish stakeholder process:
🔹 Strong partnerships are essential for improving e-waste prevention, collection and recycling.
🔹 Education and awareness remain powerful tools for changing behaviours and encouraging responsible consumption.
🔹 Local and regional authorities play a crucial role in accelerating the transition towards a circular economy.
🔹 The solutions developed through eWAsTER can inspire and support other Mediterranean territories facing similar challenges.
As the project approaches its conclusion, the Spanish stakeholders' event demonstrated that the true legacy of eWAsTER lies in the networks, knowledge and commitment built across regions. Together, we are proving that sustainable waste management is not only an environmental necessity—it is an opportunity to create more resilient, informed and future-ready communities.
🎥 In the accompanying video, hear the reflections of Luis Rodríguez, who shares the importance of cooperation, local leadership and citizen involvement in building a more sustainable future.
Consorcio RSU Málaga & Diputación de Málaga 🙏
More info: https://ewaster.interreg-euro-med.eu/2026/06/05/last-stakeholders-event-in-spain/
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Interreg Euro-MED Programme

01/06/2026

♻️ 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

29/05/2026

♻️ 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

20/05/2026

🇬🇷 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

19/05/2026

✅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