Briefing 2021

The Challenge

Situation

Austria produces over 200,000 tons of electronic waste every year. Only about 50% of this is currently recycled. The rest often ends up in residual waste where it causes problems (e.g. risk of fire from batteries) or is shipped to developing countries where safety and environmental standards are not as strict. Either way, it is not returned back into the system the way it should be to close the loop.

Most people want to act sustainably but also look for convenient solutions. A trip to the next recycling drop-off point (aka recycling centre) can be a hurdle and not everyone knows that they can return old devices to their retailer when they buy a new one.

So, how can we fix this? Well, apart from the need to extend the lifespan of electronic devices, we want to make a contribution to a more sustainable future by raising awareness for e-waste, reducing the e-waste in residual waste and increasing the recycling rate through proper disposal. 

Your task

We are calling all creative thinkers, designers, developers, start-ups, companies and all environmental enthusiasts to work with us on the design of a new recycling system for the decentralised collection of e-waste "as a service".

We are looking for a new solution that can be placed in well-frequented locations, such as supermarkets or offices. Your ideas for the “e-waste box" can address different aspects or ideally combine them all:

  • The creative design of the box – it may include a stationary outer part that offers space for a standard, movable waste bin inside (e.g. 240 liter bin)

  • The user experience for a digital interface (contained in the outer part of the box), which should increase recycling motivation and positively influence consumer behaviour (e.g. giving recycling instructions, using gamification or incentives and visualising the environmental impact)

  • Innovative materials for the construction of the box (e.g. think about fire protection)

  • New technologies that simplify the operations behind the e-waste box and enable a five star customer experience (e.g. device recognition, sorting, shredding, tracking, weight measurement, fill-level sensor, theft protection)

If you have something to contribute to this idea, get in touch and let’s talk! It doesn't matter if you already have a team or if you are looking for others with complementary skills to form a team – we may be able to help you.

The result

At the end of the program, we would like to have a functional, physical prototype for the overall concept of the e-waste box that we can test, develop further and maybe even ship (together with a partner), so we can use it in the future.

Due to the different components that are part of the final product, as a first step, concepts may address individual aspects and could be combined in different ways, for example:

  • Design of the box (e.g. digital or physical using different materials)

  • UX for digital interface (e.g. wireframes, click dummy)

  • New technologies (e.g. as part of the physical prototype)

Future Perspectives

Support during the program

We will support you with our recycling expertise and will organise workshops and meetings as required. During the program, we will select 1-3 concepts and we will agree with you on the financial support we can provide for the development of a physical prototype (e.g. by purchasing necessary components and materials, machine hours in a maker space, etc.)

Long-term perspectives

Our goal is to work together with you on a solution that ultimately can be implemented within our respective business area and with partners as required. This means we are interested in a long-term cooperation as well as the use of new technologies in our products and services more generally.

Program details

Getting started

We will present our briefing at the virtual kick-off event on 15th of April 2021. Once you have registered via the IMM platform (by 30th of April), we will contact you to organise an initial meeting where we can discuss your and our goals and expectations.

We will also be at the Future Tech Bootcamp from 21st to 24th June 2021 in St. Pölten to work with you on high-impact solutions.

Communication during the program

We are available as needed for regular updates and meetings. You can reach us via the IMM online communication tool, email or phone.

Key Dates

Phase 1: Ideation and concept development

  • Team building, deep dive und questions: April/May

  • Concept development: May/June

  • Feedback und selection of 1-3 concepts: End of June

Phase 2: Prototyping and presentation

  • Prototyping: July until end of September

  • Project evaluation: Beginning of October

  • Presentation: 18th of October 2021

The Best of #IMM2021 Final Event will take place at the Digital Days in Vienna on 18th of October 2021 in the evening. At this event we will present all the projects we have worked on together with you.

Intro videos

#IMM2021 online kick-off invitation from Margot Huber (Energie AG / Wertstatt 8).

Briefing pitch @ #IMM2021 online kick-off from Margot Huber (Energie AG / Wertstatt 8) on April 15th, 2021.

Next Steps

Please register via the IMM platform by 15th of June 2021 to take part in our challenge. Of course, you can also reach us afterwards but by then, we may already be in a later stage of the program.

When you register, please let us know who you are (the entire team) and give us a brief description of your idea and the aspects of the e-waste box that you want to focus on.

The future tech bootcamp is taking place online and in parallel at several locations in Austria and abroad from 21st to 24th of June 2021 will be another opportunity to get to know and meet us.

We look forward to working with you!

Contact

If you have questions, please reach out to Margot Huber in the Wertstatt 8 Innovation Management Team. If you have questions for our Umwelt Service recycling experts, we will pass them on as required.

Downloads

Briefing in English and German

Kick-off presentation

About Energie AG & Wertstatt 8

As Upper Austria's state energy utility with over 4,500 employees, Energie AG provides electricity, gas, heating, water as well as waste management and telecommunications services to more than 450,000 customers in Austria.

Wertstatt 8 is the innovation unit of Energie AG and focuses on developing new products and innovative business models in the fields of energy and environment. We look for solutions that are 10x better, not just 10% better. We also focus on the needs of customers, test our ideas early and often, and bring together different stakeholders to involve them in the innovation process.

When it comes to e-waste recycling, we work closely with our colleagues from the Energie AG Umwelt Service division. They are the experts when it comes to e-waste disposal, including fridge, TV and computer recycling, from single collections to dedicated, on-site e-waste bins.

More details on https://www.wertstatt8.at/ & https://www.energieag.at/  

Current main briefings 2021

Additional Future Tech Bootcamp briefing specials 2021

BRIEFINGS OF PREVIOUS YEARS