• Under the slogan “Connect the Value, Switch Off the Waste”, the 17th edition emphasises the importance of addressing the growing challenge of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Maresme Circular, the brand of the Maresme Waste Consortium, is participating in European Waste Prevention Week, which will take place from 22 to 30 November 2025, with around twenty activities aimed at raising awareness about waste prevention. Under the slogan “Connect the Value, Switch Off the Waste”, the 17th edition of the Week emphasises the importance of addressing the growing challenge of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

Film forum “RE 3NDOLLATS”, 26 November, 3 p.m.

The amount of electrical and electronic equipment waste we generate each year in the European Union is increasing rapidly and is currently one of the fastest growing waste streams. With the aim of highlighting this issue, among the activities organised by Maresme Circular during the Week, the Cineforum stands out with the screening of the documentary ‘RE 3NDOLLATS. The invisible fate of our technology’, on Wednesday 26 November at 3 p.m. in the auditorium of the Maresme Integral Centre for Waste Recovery.

The screening, which deals with the life cycle of electrical and electronic equipment – from production to its end as waste – will be complemented by a lively debate among the audience, which will allow for an in-depth look at the negative impacts of this type of waste, promoting critical and active awareness about the responsible consumption of these products.

The activity is free of charge, but prior registration is required by emailing cbrossa@cresidusmaresme.com

School visit to the Maresme Comprehensive Waste Recovery Centre / Marga Cruz

Workshops, guided tours and Ludobrossa

Among the other activities organised by Maresme Circular are the workshops “The Sustainable City” and “With Energy!” at various educational centres such as the Escola Maria Mercè Marçal in Mataró, the Instituto Valerià Pujol i Bosch in Premià de Dalt and the Colegio Badalonés in Badalona. The Damià Campeny Secondary School in Mataró, the Lola Anglada School in Martorell and the Rafael Casanova School in Badalona are also scheduled to visit the facilities of the Maresme Integral Centre for Waste Recovery Centre.

In addition, on 30 November from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ludobrossa, a large-scale play centre with fun and educational games about waste, will be in Calella at the “Less is more” waste prevention festival organised by the Town Council in Plaza Lluís Gallart.

The challenge of WEEE

Every year, the Member States of the European Union place more than 14.4 million tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment on the market, of which only 5 million tonnes of waste are collected, corresponding to 11.2 kg per inhabitant. This category includes a wide range of devices such as mobile phones, computers, televisions, refrigerators, lamps, as well as medical devices and photovoltaic panels.

This waste contains a complex mixture of materials, some of which are hazardous. If not managed properly, discarded appliances can cause serious environmental and health problems. Modern electronics also contain rare and expensive resources, including critical raw materials, which can be recycled and reused if waste is managed effectively.

About the Week

The Week aims to raise the profile of organisations that are committed to preventing waste generation at the Catalan and European level. This visibility is enhanced by participation in a joint European event held simultaneously in 34 regions, which also has the support of the European Commission.

In Catalonia, public administrations, associations, companies, educational institutions and private citizens are participating, coordinated by the Catalan Waste Agency, which has a directory on its website listing all the planned actions, as well as useful tools and resources for organisers.

You can check out all the activities for the Week via this link: https://www.arc.cat/agendaewwr/