the brief
Development of a PSS, to submit to the “Conference on the Future of Europe”, that could contribute in exploring and determining new strategies and systems innovation at a European level.
the PROCESS
The development of this project followed a six phases version of the “double diamond” process, structured over six phases.
first phase: RESEARCH
The starting point of all the project was “The Conference on the Future of Europe”, a European platform for major public consultation, which is based on the proposal of “ideas” from the citizens, regarding different given topics. Between the nine presented, one was chosen: climate change and the environment).
Then, a bibliographical, demographic, historical and social analysis of the selected domain was carried out. Other points of research were:
Then, a bibliographical, demographic, historical and social analysis of the selected domain was carried out. Other points of research were:
⬩ Explorations of the existing policy frameworks.
⬩ Definition of areas for possible development of new systems and services.
⬩ Case studies and interviews with lead stakeholders.
⬩ Definition of areas for possible development of new systems and services.
⬩ Case studies and interviews with lead stakeholders.
The research allowed to produce a report, other than define a specific area of focus for the next steps: circular economy and e-waste.
second phase: CONCEPT GENERATION
This second phase saw the generation of new innovative ideas for Products-Services Systems that addressed the design opportunities emerged from the research phase.
Multiple tools were used during this stage, the main one being a 4x4 scenario development matrix.
The ideas were then refined, re-oriented or enriched in the following phases of research refinement and co-design.
THIRD phase: ADDITIONAL RESEARCH
An additional research supported in gaining a 360° understanding of the concerning topics.
The areas explored were: users profiling, economic feasibility, policy requirements and specific technologies involved. In this way the concept could be refined, consolidated and oriented based on data, results, and evidence that can be found in the scientific literature, and studies.
FOURTH phase: CO-DESIGN
Three co-design sessions were organized, designed, and conducted, using different tools and methods and with all the target groups involved.
1st Co-Design Session
Carried out with initial category of users, namely regular EU citizens, business persons and institutions managers.
2nd Co-Design Session
Carried out with second category of users, namely logistics, recycling centers, e-waste treatment facilities.
3rd Co-Design Session
Carried out with experts, coming from fields related to climate action, entrepreneurship, engineering, and scientific documentary filmmaking.
Gathering insights from interactive discussions was critical to re-shape and define the final PSS, so that it coud meet all the different needs.
FIFTH phase: PSS design, business modeling and impact analysis
Full development of the idea from all perspectives:
⬩ The product-service system offering.
⬩ The user experience.
⬩ The front and backstage.
⬩ The touch-points.
⬩ The impact measurement and indicators.
⬩ The stakeholder engagement.
⬩ The business model.
⬩ The user experience.
⬩ The front and backstage.
⬩ The touch-points.
⬩ The impact measurement and indicators.
⬩ The stakeholder engagement.
⬩ The business model.
The solution was developed in-depth against all aspects of why, who, what, when, and how. Costs, investments and expected impact were also defined, in order to draft an impact analysis that is crucial in any project directed to public administrations.
SIXTH phase: PROTOTYPING AND ASSESSTMENT
During the final phase of the project a prototype for the main digital touchpoint of the service (website) was developed.
Moreover an additional experimentation was carried out, on a more “theoretical” side, with the elaboration of a policy brief regarding the main topics covered by the final solution generated. This policy brief has been presented to a European Parliament representative.
the CONCEPT
The EU industry’s greening and the circular economy’s transformation are inseparable from the circulation of e-waste and raw materials. E-value is a project based on the Conference onthe Future of Europe prompts on climate change and resource use efficiency, for a circular future of Europe.
The current EU’s ewaste management and recycling rate are not optimistic. With only 40% of e-waste recycled and fragmented e-recovery industry, the EU faces serious environmental challenges.
what and why
The project aims to develop a specialized hub for data, material, and network flows in the e-waste industry to enable the next generation of e-waste recycling and recovery service systems in the EU region.
E-value aims to strengthen the EU’s e-waste processing and management capacity through integration and networking to empower the EU’s industries and companies to accelerate funding and own an autonomous, flexible, and stable secondary raw material market. It is proposed as a European networking platform to incentivize e-waste as a secondary raw material source inside Europe.
E-value aims to strengthen the EU’s e-waste processing and management capacity through integration and networking to empower the EU’s industries and companies to accelerate funding and own an autonomous, flexible, and stable secondary raw material market. It is proposed as a European networking platform to incentivize e-waste as a secondary raw material source inside Europe.
the SYSTEM
The platform establishes a network between different actors along the e-waste management chain:
🞰 Generators of e-waste 🞰
Containing three major categories: municipal citizens, public institutions, and private companies that need to dispose of WEEE.
Containing three major categories: municipal citizens, public institutions, and private companies that need to dispose of WEEE.
🞰 Recyclers 🞰
Collectors, processors, and finishers in charge of collecting, sorting,dismantling, processing, and refining e-waste, where discarded devices aregiven a new value.
Collectors, processors, and finishers in charge of collecting, sorting,dismantling, processing, and refining e-waste, where discarded devices aregiven a new value.
🞰 Receivers of materials and Producers of products 🞰
Includes sustainable industries and material-based SMEs, and repair and refurbishment companies.
Includes sustainable industries and material-based SMEs, and repair and refurbishment companies.
By being part of this network, the stakeholders can be matched together based on their needs and capabilities, cross-checking information about the type and amount of WEEE generated and that can be processed.
Moreover, the system is designed also to:
Moreover, the system is designed also to:
⬩ Implement shared data standards on e-waste collection and treatment.
⬩ Provide bureaucracy simplification and assistance for all actors.
⬩ Facilitate e-waste sorting and classifying devices still working and obsolete ones.
⬩ Provide bureaucracy simplification and assistance for all actors.
⬩ Facilitate e-waste sorting and classifying devices still working and obsolete ones.
BENEFITS AND IMPACTS
E-value delivers our service to create a more efficient recycling system inside the European Union.
🞰 For Generators of e-waste 🞰
A channel will be created to help citizens/institutions/businesses perform their recycling activity with minimal transaction/recycling costs (time, money, effort).
A channel will be created to help citizens/institutions/businesses perform their recycling activity with minimal transaction/recycling costs (time, money, effort).
🞰 For Recyclers 🞰
A collective network will be formed for them to strengthen their processing efficiency and profitability, optimize internal operation management systems and to navigate connections to external networks, and expand processing capabilities.
A collective network will be formed for them to strengthen their processing efficiency and profitability, optimize internal operation management systems and to navigate connections to external networks, and expand processing capabilities.
🞰 For Receivers of materials and Producers of products 🞰
Industry information and optimal resource allocation, high quality and reliable raw material sources, Transformation of a linear pattern of material consumption to circular economy model.
Industry information and optimal resource allocation, high quality and reliable raw material sources, Transformation of a linear pattern of material consumption to circular economy model.
