Electronic Waste, Current States & Changing Practices

Electronic waste, or E-waste, refers to all discarded, broken and trashed items that result from electronic and digital goods. One of the fastest-growing solid waste streams globally, it has significant environmental and health impacts if not managed properly.

According to the World Health Organisation, less than a quarter of E-waste produced globally in 2022 was known to be formally recycled - despite such streams containing valuable and finite resources that can be reused if recycled appropriately.

This panel addresses some of the current ways in which E-waste has been addressed in the region, and through innovative entrepreneurially activity and education.

Speakers include Dr. Diego Bermudez​, University of Exeter and Research & Impact Fellow​ on DICE Network+; Last Appliances founder Sean Polden; and Professor of Sustainability Engagement, Laura Fogg-Rogers, UWE. The session will be chaired by Repair Acts' Research Associate Dr. Felipe Schmidt Fonseca.

Agenda:

13.00-13.15: Welcome & Introductions

13.15-13.30: Diego Bermudez​, University of Exeter and Research & Impact Fellow​ on DICE Network+

13.30: Sean Polden, Founder Last Applicances

13.45: Laura Fogg-Rogers, Professor of Sustainability Engagement, UWE

14.00: Discussion & Q+A

14.30: Close

Speaker Bios:

Dr. Diego Bermudez​, University of Exeter and Research & Impact Fellow​ on DICE Network+ shares insights from the recently published Digital Innovation and Circular Economy (DICE) Network+ report on eWaste. Having previously worked for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation as a Senior Researcher and Project Manager, leading AI-driven circular economy initiatives, Diego's expertise lies in systems thinking, sustainable finance, risk management, and data analytics.

Passionate about how new business models can spearhead ‘design for sustainability’, Founder of Last Appliances, Sean Polden, presents the company's approach to modular design and the repairablity of small kitchen appliances. With a background in mechanical engineering, Sean spent seven years at Dyson working across design, product sustainability, and corporate sustainability before establishing Last Appliances.

Educating the next generation of engineers and young people to think differently about how we make things in the first place and the impact of our consumer choices. Professor of Sustainability Engagement, Laura Fogg-Rogers, UWE discusses some of the key findings from her work on how to embed sustainable development goals in engineering curricula, explore knowledge exchange for repair and sustainability and inspire young people with diverse green jobs.

Chairing the panel, will be Repair Acts' Research Associate Dr. Felipe Schmidt Fonseca. A design researcher working with opensource greentech, critical circularity, participatory research, and systems-thinking, Felipe has over twenty years of experience in setting up community-centre, electronic waste initiates in Brazil and Europe.

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This panel is part of Celebrating Repair Cultures (Oct 3rd - 17th), a city-wide Bristol programme exploring our relationship with things through hands-on workshops, talks, performances, and community mending. Bringing together local repair cafés, makers, artists, and researchers across venues like the CUBE, Pervasive Media Studio, Arnolfini, and SPARKS, the two-week series features a dedicated digital repair and debate day at Bristol City Hall, a Material Cabaret on Lightship 55, and the 10th Anniversary of International Repair Day. Discover the full programme and join the conversation at repairacts.net.