Milan – Within the activities of the meetMED II project (Mitigation Enabling Energy Transition in the Mediterranean Region), funded by the European Union, a “Professional Training Course on the Implementation of Appliances Scrapping” is taking place in Milan, Italy from 28-30 January 2025.  The event was organised in close collaboration with  the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development – ENEA and Erion Compliance Organization.

The three-day training aimed at enriching national policymakers and key stakeholders representing project beneficiary countries with practical knowledge about the EU experience and expertise of E-waste management scrapping and recycling industry alongside identifying opportunities for collection, recycling, and marketing materials from scrapped appliances.

Throughout the first day, a technical session was hosted by Erion—one of the key drivers of E-waste recycling in Italy—focuses on the WEEE Italian System: Italian regulations and Policies in Appliance scrapping and E-waste, Institutional and organizational structure for WEEE and the Challenges and solutions for scrapped appliances supply chain.

During the second and third days, participants had the opportunity to visit two leading electric waste sorting and recycling plants in Italy. These included the SEVal Hitech Recycling, a leading facility located in Colico, specializing in the treatment and recycling of refrigerators and other electronic appliances. As part of the broader efforts in sustainable waste management, SEVal focuses on the responsible disposal and recycling of end-of-life appliances, particularly those containing refrigerants and potentially hazardous materials. Stena Recycling, the treatment and recovery plant for waste equipment, which specializes in best practices for for recycling various appliances such as refrigerators, fridges, air conditions, washing machines, electric furnaces and dish washers. The resulting high-quality recycled raw materials, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastic and paper are then resold for use in the manufacturing of new products all over the world. Stena Recycling also provides comprehensive and cost-effective waste management services, including internal logistics, training, statistics, and safety and security consultation.

This training is a vital step toward enhancing the understanding and capabilities of stakeholders involved in E-waste management, fostering sustainable practices in the Mediterranean region.