WEEE TRACE presentation by ECOLECT at RFID & Waste Conference in Brussels (June 11, 2012)

1. WEEE Trace Project
Full Traceability of the management of WEEE
using RFID
RFID and Waste Workshop
Reality Check
Brussels
10th July 2012
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710

2. WEEE TRACE: Project Vision
Use of advanced ICT and sensor-based technologies
(RFID, optical identification, image capturing, geo-
positioning, etc.) to:
1. Ensure traceability of complete waste from electrical
and electronics equipment (WEEE) management
chain.
Objectives
 Increase volume of WEEE legally controlled and recycled, reducing leaks to
uncontrolled channels
 Use of ICT to characterize and locate/funnel/sort/recycling different types of WEEE
 Track and control incidences like scavenging, leaks, presence of free-riders, etc.
 Facilitate enforcement and reporting
 Identify and address replication opportunities
Duration: 36 months (Jul 2011  Jul 2014)
Currently in month 12/36:
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710

3. WEEE-Trace:
CIP Eco-Innovation Program 2010 call (Eco/10/277256)
Total eligible costs: 2,35 M€ - 50% funding by EACI
Partners
 Technology Solutions provider (Coord):
• Customers: WEEE compliance schemes
 Manufacturer of household appliances
External Associates (a.o):
 Logistics operator:
 Treatment plant:
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710

4. WEEE-Trace in ES
Market need / key features
Improve WEEE collection / Reduce WEEE leaks.
Use of sensor applications to ensure traceability
through whole reverse supply chain, featuring:
 BC/RFID tagging and tracking
 Identification and characterization through RFID readers
 Sorting and Channeling to appropriate treatment facilities
 Traceability by unit – picture and video included.
 Automation of incidence management.
 Triggering of automated proof-of- recycling (e.g. video),
certification and invoicing processes.
 Simplification of reporting
Integration of all information flows in Company’s IT
platforms
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710

5. WEEE TRACE
Reality Check
Key issues
 Scope and deployment needs.
 RFID Tags
 Mobile RFID readers
 Standard: format and content.
 Pilot: WEEE tracking in practice
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710

6. WEEE TRACE
Project scope and deployment
Not a demonstration project:
Full scale commercial system to manage
whole WEEE flow at ECOLEC (>70.000 2Q’2012
tons/yr) and all associated information
80 WEEE collection points 2-3Q’2013
15 logistic operators
40 treatment plants
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710

7. WEEE TRACE: tags
Reality Check
PAPERTAG FLAGTAG FOAMTAG
 RFID + Barcode + Visual
Cost
 Shielding problems found and addressed.
 Worked with supplier to reach affordability threshold.
 Omni-directional for a maximum distance and angle.
 1,4 million tags to manage WEEE  need to manage and
control tags themselves
 Resistance to handling and environment:
 Adhesiveness
 Abrasion (ink)
 Environmental testing underway
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710

8. WEEE TRACE: RFID mobile readers
Reality Check
6 RFID mobile readers tested.
 Few suitable and designed for field applications
 Key aspects:
o Technical aspects (reading distance, process
capacity)
o Usability and Ergonomics
o Robustness and IP protection
o Cost
o Service
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710

9. WEEE TRACE: Code Standard
Reality Check
Lack of standard of reference for wastes
 Worked with GS1 Spain to develop
SSCC standard code  incorporated
to Project
 Able to link with future RFID tags in
products using SGTIN code
SGTIN
SSCC
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710

10. WEEE TRACE:
Tracking WEEE in practice
Tracked information:
 Origin, destination, WEEE type, weight
 Certificates and proofs (e.g. signatures,
videos)
 Picture and status e.g. scavenging
 “track and trace” Location and travel
 Management of incidences: “missings”,
idle times, unconsisistencies (i.e. weights)
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11. WEEE TRACE:
Reality check - summary
 Still in pilot phase ( Oct’2012)
 Planning absolute necessary but you don’t find all
problems until you face them (not in a powerpoint
phase)
 Some issues to address in pilot:
– tracking misses in readings (< 5%)
– environmental resistance of tags
– duty of care by waste chain
– privacy issues w.r.t. image handling
– lack of professionalism by actors
– monitoring of potential by-passing of controls
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710

12. Thanks for your attention!
www.weee-trace.eu
In case of questions, feel free to contact Project Coordinator:
Josu Rollón
jrollon@mcctelecom.es
info@weee-trace.eu
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WEEE TRACE – RFID and Waste Workshop
Brussels 20120710