The Challenge
Most devices from business and public administration are discarded when considered amortized, and although they still have a value for use and are suitable for reuse, they are scrapped (recycled), or illegally exported to other countries via informal reuse circuits. The positive aspects of reuse are well understood, reuse effectively contributes to develop a circular economy, strengthen the creation of local employment, prevent the generation of waste, and reduce the digital divide. However, why is it such a minority practice? When companies, governments or individuals need to get rid of their computers and digital devices to have a new life (reuse), they don’t know where to turn. This results in most Electric and Electronic Equipment (EEE) being recycled even though the explicit demand for reuse. Public authorities and business are willing to promote the positive aspects of reuse, but without a traceability solution and a commitment from consumers for reused products, it is uncertain if reused digital devices may end up being exported illegally and potentially polluting the environment. Such risk and slippage is the main drawback in the promotion and the practice of reuse in public and private organisations. Today in most cities don’t have an ecosystem capable of avoiding the premature recycling of electronics.
Our Mission
Ereuse.org’s mission is the transition towards a collaborative and circular consumption of electronics. We cooperate to help to sustain and grow ecosystems that increase reuse and recycling. We are building a new mindset and a blockchain-based tech to make reuse and recycling industry impact accountable. The coalition of members and collaborators bring together the skills, training and open technologies necessary to help sustain and grow platforms that optimize refurbishment, ensure quality of second hand electronics products and bring management in the reverse supply chain to ensure reused devices are ultimately recycled.