Re-Evaluate Partners
Re-Evaluate Partners have made a comprehensive submission to the Government’s Waste Policy Consultation. We are suggesting that a substantial increase in REUSE of certain waste streams, in particular electric and electronic goods, such as PC’s, would bring many positive effects environmentally, socially and economically. To read the full submission follow this link.On similar lines, a Paper has been submitted by researchers working for RE-Evaluate to the EST Conference. To read this follow this link.
RE-Evaluate Stage 2 kicks off !
Stage 2 of the RE-Evaluate Project began in July 2011. In this Stage REHAB will expand its B2B collections (primarily of PC’s, laptops and peripherals) and will undertake selective collections in Civic Amenity (CA) sites managed by the European Recycling Platform (ERP) compliance scheme.
Clondalkin Community Recycling Initiative (CCRI) will carry out collections of Large Household Appliances (LHAs) from retailers in Clondalkin. Use of equipment and appliances in-house and in local homes and enterprises will be monitored by survey and other means, and comparatively evaluated.
RE-Evaluate Project extended to May 2012.
As a result of some delay in the setting up and initiation of Stage 2 of the Reuse Trials, a request has been made to EPA for an extension of the Project by 6 months to 17th of May 2012.
The extra six months will give the Partners additional time to set up and develop a number of improved WEEE collections aimed at reuse, and to monitor consumer responses to the reused equipment and appliances.
RE-Evaluate presented at ISSST Conference in Chicago May 2011.
Researchers at UL ECE, lead partners in the RE-Evaluate Project, presented tow papers and the findings of the Project at the prestigious ISSST (International Symposium of Sustainable Systems technology), held in Chicago it was held from the 16th to the 18th of May 2011.
This premier event was attended by many companies and researchers working in the field. Drs. O’Connell, Hickey and Fitzpatrick presented two papers liked to RE-Evaluate: “WEEE Reuse Trials in Ireland” (detailed findings of the RE-Evaluate Project to date) and “RFID Trials for Reuse Management” (findings of complimentary research undertaken by UL ECE into the use of Radio Frequency identification technology, in the tracing of reused equipment, parts and components).
In addition to this a Power Point presentation was made on the RE-Evaluate Project, titled “WEEE Reuse Trial in Ireland”.
For more information o ISSST see: ieee-issst.org
RE-Evaluate Project completes Stage 1 Trials of Reuse of EEE.
This first Stage of the Re-Evaluate Project, a 3 year STRIVE project co-funded by the EPA, completed in July of this year. During this first stage of the Project, partners REHAB Recycling and Clondalkin Community Recycling Project have collected significant quantities of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from the domestic users, through a series of activities like kerbside and neighbourhood based collections days, and direct from retailers who take back from clients.
The equipment collected has been separated and tested by Partners, giving a good idea of how much is reusable from this source. The results of these Trials have been evaluated by the University of Limerick’s Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering (UL ECE).
Findings of the RE-Evaluate Project presented at ISSST international Symposium in Washington D.C.
Maurice O’Connell, a post graduate research student at the Department of Electric and Electronic Engineering at the University of Limerick (UL ECE), presented a paper entitled Investigating Reuse of B2C WEEE In Ireland at the ISST International Symposium of Sustainable Development. The Symposium is widely considered a premier event on sustainable technology issues. Participants in the symposium are diverse, with representatives from industry, government and academia. For details of the Symposium see: http://www.ieee-issst.org/. To download the UL ECE paper click here
European Parliament support major amendment to the WEEE Directive promoting Reuse.
The European Parliament Environment Committee considered a Amendment to the WEEE Directive Recast proposed by the European Commission at its meeting of 23rd July .The Compromise Amendment, proposed by Karl Heinz Florenz (PE) requires 5% separate Reuse targets for electrical and electronic equipment, as well as a requirement for early segregation of WEEE at collection points prior to any transportation. The amendment follows a long campaign by the RREUSE Network based in Brussels, and a many Reuse enterprises, to ensure legislative support for this socially and environmentally beneficial activity. However, this battle I not yet won and the Amendment still has to be approved by the EU Council to secure this package is accepted by national delegations and that it is then included in the new Directive. . To download a copy of the Lorenz Compromise Amendment click here.
British Standards Institute publishes draft Specification for Reuse for Consultation.
The British Standards Institute (BSI) has drafted and published on their web site a new specification of the processing for reuse of waste and used electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE and UEEE). This Specification is a first attempt to set out minimum standards for management and processing of EEE destined fro reuse. RE-Evaluate is looking at this document with a view to responding in this consultation, and assessing its applicability to the Irish context, in view of a possible EU promoted Reuse Target. To download the Specification Draft (for consultation only) click here,
RE-Evaluate Project study visit to Belgium demonstrates potential of EEE Reuse
The RE-Evaluate Project’s 2nd Technical Report has been submitted to the EPA, and t shows that a start has been made in exploring the potential for EEE Reuse, in Europe and in Dublin. Four study visits have been carried out, to projects in Belfast, Vienna, Antwerp and Berlin, where a significant level of reuse is currently being achieved. A Review of Best Practise is being compiled that contains the main conclusions arising from these visits and complimentary research.
For a PPP on the Poject’s Study Visit to Belgium,Report Study Visit to Belgium. (link to document PPP Belgium Study Visit)
Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment Reuse Trial held in Dublin
In December 2009, under the auspices of WEEE Ireland, the national compliance scheme, RE-Evaluate Partner REHAB Recycling carried out a public collection of domestic waste electric and electronic equipment at the Dublin City Waste Management site at Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8. This event was a pilot for EEE Reuse Trials that the RE-Evaluate Project is intending to carry out over the following months in different locations, seeking to establish the viability and likely volume of waste electrical and electronic goods that can be collected and refurbished for reuse. On the basis of this pilot trial, the Partners will organise six additional Reuse Trial collections by April of this year.
For a full Report 1st Pilot Trial Marrowbone Dublin (link to document 1st Pilot Trial Marrowbone, Dublin)
Paper on Reuse of EEE submitted to prestigious International Symposium
Research carried out by the UL ECE Research Team for the RE-Evaluate Project has been submitted to the International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology (ISSST). A paper will be presented at a Symposium that will take place this May 16-19th in Washington DC, for peer review. The Symposium is widely considered a premier event on sustainable technology issues. Participants in the symposium are diverse, with representatives from industry, government and academia. For more information see: http://www.ieee-issst.org/