e-Waste Open Innovation

e-Waste Open Innovation has 20 thousand euros for projects that put electronic waste “on the line”

Program results from a partnership between ERP Portugal, LG Portugal and Startup Lisboa and aims to encourage entrepreneurs to develop solutions related to WEEE recycling

Promoted by ERP Portugal and LG Portugal with the support of Startup Lisboa, e-Waste Open Innovation is a training and mentoring program that challenges startups and entrepreneurs to create solutions to encourage recycling and the reuse of electronic equipment. Applications run until November 7th and the program will run from November 16th to January 27th.

In 2019, 53.6 million tons of electronic waste were produced worldwide and, according to the latest UN report, only 17.4% of that amount was reused or recycled. The UN also predicts that global electronic waste may reach 74 million tonnes in 2030 - making electronic waste the fastest growing domestic waste stream in the world.

In Portugal, last year alone, 170 tons of electronic waste were produced and more than 30% of the population still does not have the habit of forwarding and recycling their electronic waste. In addition to having a negative impact on the environment, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) when not properly disposed of is also a health risk as it contains toxic additives or dangerous substances, such as mercury, which can damage the brain and the brain. coordination system.

It was with the aim of making the Portuguese aware of the importance of neutralizing some of the main environmental threats, among which “electronic waste”, of which only 15 to 20% is recycled worldwide, that ERP Portugal, LG Portugal, and Startup Lisboa came together to encourage entrepreneurs to develop solutions related to WEEE recycling.

In the program, three challenges are presented:

1. Accumulation: solutions and programs for the forwarding of WEEE and conversion of recycling habits for this type of equipment are sought;
2. Location: technological solutions and tools are sought to encourage and facilitate the recycling process of this type of equipment, ensuring its correct treatment and recycling, preventing them from ending up in informal circuits;
3. Incentives: technological solutions and initiatives are sought to define incentives (monetary and non-monetary) that significantly promote good recycling practices for this type of waste.

Individual entrepreneurs with ideas or startups with already established businesses (less than five years old) can apply. Applications can be made at www.ewasteopeninnovation.pt until the 7th of November. The selection of projects will take place on the 9th and 10th of November and the program will run from the 16th of November to the 27th of January.

The evaluation and selection of the winning projects will be made by a jury composed of members from ERP Portugal, LG Portugal, Startup Lisboa and Exame Informática on January 27, 2021. On this day, the teams will present their solutions and will be the three winning projects were selected: the first prize receives 15 thousand euros, the second 3,500 euros and the third 1,500 euros.