LIPOR and Associated Municipalities Invest in the Circularity of WEEE

In celebration of International Repair Day, the workshop "Repair is Better than Recycle" was held on October 21, aimed at LIPOR's Associated Municipalities. The workshop highlighted the work done within the Capitalize ESTRAEE Project, developed in partnership with the Deputación de Pontevedra and co-financed by the Interreg POCTEP Program. In 2023, this project resulted in the collection of 662.76 tons of WEEE across the nine participating eco-centers, representing an 11% increase compared to the previous year.

Key actions presented included the results of the study "Enhancing WEEE Reuse and Recycling in LIPOR’s Area of Influence,” conducted in collaboration with 3Drivers. This study led to a set of proposed improvements for the sustainable management of these waste streams. Additionally, the communication campaign "Let's Make the Economy Circular” was launched to engage citizens in the proper disposal of this waste flow.

The workshop also featured participation from the Portuguese Environment Agency, which addressed the challenges of PERSU 2030 in the WEEE sector and the essential role of Municipalities. Inspiring examples were also shared: the Eco Porto – Circularity Center for the City of Porto, presented by Porto Ambiente, and the Repair Café at Aveiro’s Eco-center, presented by Veolia.

The event included a practical demonstration by the Second Chance School of Valongo, a CREW partner, along with a group activity to reflect and identify actions to improve areas such as collection and repair, aligning with Municipal PAPERSU goals.

The workshop brought together 49 participants from various municipal sectors, including waste management, environmental, and social services, underscoring the vital role each sector plays in achieving greater circularity of WEEE at the local level.