Worldwide, only 10% of all mobile phone users give back their old mobile phones, while 90% store immense treasures of resources in their drawers at home. The European Commission's Circular Electronics Initiative counts on consumers to bring unused small electronic devices back to the resource cycle. But, how can consumers be supported in closing the loop and who needs which skills for that? At the #EUCircularTalk The Circular Electronics Initiative: Insights on Skills the CSCP, the Leadership Group “Retailers, Consumers & Skills”, and the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss these questions and share ideas on next steps.

The ‘right to repair’ and ‘take-back schemes’ are central elements of the Circular Electronics Initiative, launched by the European Commission as part of the Circular Economy Action Plan. The initiative is focused on “empowering consumers and providing them with cost-saving opportunities” as a key building block towards the circular economy. But there are many obstacles on the way, foremost the intention-action gap. Consumers often declare they are willing to endorse more sustainable practices, yet find it challenging to act on it. This leads to one central question: How can circular behaviours be supported and which skills are required to make this happen?

On 25 May, 11:00-12.30 CET the Leadership Group “Retailers, Consumers & Skills” of the  European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP), led by the Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP), will host a discussion that looks to dive deeper into the type of skills that different actors, including retailers, city administrations, or civil society organisations need to support circular behaviours among consumers. Field experts and relevant stakeholders will present current insights and activities at the EU level, including good practices in circular behaviours regarding the electronics sector.

Our speakers and panellists:

• Tatjana Babrauskienè, Head of International Relations, Lithuanian Education and Science Trade Union, Workers’ Group, EESC
• Michael Kuhndt, Executive Director, CSCP
• Mattia Pellegrini, Head of Unit on Waste Management and Secondary Materials, Circular Economy and Green Growth, DG ENV, EC (tbc)
• Daniel Montalvo, Head of Group Sustainable Resource Use and Industry, EEA
• Mark Hidson, Deputy Regional Director, Global Director Sustainable Procurement, ICLEI
• Michal Len, Director, RReuse
• Tim Schreiber, Policy Officer, VET, Apprenticeships and Adult Learning, DG EMPL, EC
• Retailer repr., Eurocommerce (tbc)

Join us to get insights on the EU Circular Electronics Initiative and the required circular behaviours. You are invited to discuss the skills needed by different stakeholders, such as retailers, local authorities, and NGOs, to support these behaviours. For additional information, the detailed agenda and to register, please visit the #EUCircularTalks page.