Across the Mediterranean, partners are joining forces through the WEEEVALUE project to give old electronics a second life, improve e-waste management, and move the region closer to a circular and resource-efficient economy.
Most of us have at least one old phone, laptop, or electronic device sitting unused at home. We keep them in drawers or cupboards, unsure what to do with them. Yet these forgotten devices are part of a growing global problem: electronic waste.
A new Mediterranean project aims to change the way we think about these discarded electronics.
The WEEEVALUE project- “Promoting Circular Valorization of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)” was officially launched during an online kick-off meeting hosted by the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy on 17 December 2025, the meeting brought together partners from across the Mediterranean who share a common goal: to make electronic waste part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
Co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, the project connects organisations from Greece, Jordan, Spain, Cyprus, Lebanon, Türkiye, Tunisia, and Italy, creating a unique collaboration to improve the way electronic waste is collected, reused, and recycled.
Electronic waste is growing faster than any other type of waste. Despite existing regulations in the European Union, only about one third of electronic waste is properly collected and treated, while many Mediterranean countries still lack the infrastructure needed to manage it safely. When electronic devices are thrown away improperly, harmful substances can leak into the environment, affecting soil, water, and ecosystems. At the same time, valuable materials that could be reused or recycled are lost.
WEEEVALUE aims to change this situation by helping communities manage electronic waste more responsibly and by showing that what we call “waste” can actually become a valuable resource.Over the next 30 months, the project will work with public authorities, businesses, schools, and local communities to test practical solutions for better e-waste management.
With a budget of €2.786 million, WEEEVALUE will focus on three key initiatives:
The WEEEVALUE partnership includes public institutions, research organisations, businesses, and non-profit organisations working together to tackle a challenge that no country can solve alone. Together, they will develop eight Action Plans for improved e-waste management, helping local and regional authorities strengthen policies while sharing knowledge and experience across borders. This cooperation is also essential to prevent illegal movements of electronic waste, which can occur when differences in regulations between countries are exploited.
By encouraging better collection systems, supporting innovative businesses, and engaging citizens, WEEEVALUE contributes to the Interreg NEXT MED Programme’s Specific Objective 2.4 (RSO2.6), promoting the transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy. Ultimately, the project sends a simple message: old electronics should not be seen as waste, but as resources waiting for a second life.
For more information
Project webpage:
https://interregnextmed.site/project-page/weeevalue/about/
Project coordination:
Mrs. Olimpia Liliopoulou
o.liliopoulou@prv.ypeka.gr
This press release has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme. The contents are the sole responsibility of the WEEEVALUE consortium and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Programme management structures.
Last Update
06/03/2026
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