Schools in Flevoland compete to collect the most e-waste in sustainability race
Residents of Lelystad and Noordoostpolder can now contribute to a greener future by handing in old electronics. Ten local schools are competing to collect the most e-waste, teaching children and communities about recycling and reuse in a fun, hands-on way.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | E-Waste Race 2026 |
| Duration | March 2 – April 2, 2026 |
| Participating Schools | 10 primary schools in Lelystad and Noordoostpolder |
| Organizers | Municipalities of Lelystad & Noordoostpolder, Wecycle |
| Kick-off Locations | Op de Wieken primary school (Tollebeek), Het Lichtschip (Ens) |
| How to Participate | Offer e-waste via www.ewasterace.nl |
| Goal | Raise awareness about e-waste recycling and reuse |
| E-Waste Facts | Up to 95% of components in old devices can be reused |
The municipalities of Lelystad and Noordoostpolder, in partnership with Wecycle, are responsible for promoting sustainable waste management and environmental education in their regions. This initiative aligns with their broader goals of fostering circular economies and reducing electronic waste through community engagement.
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The E-Waste Race Has Begun
The municipalities of Lelystad and Noordoostpolder, in collaboration with Wecycle, have launched the E-Waste Race 2026. Alderman René van Amersfoort kicked off the event in Noordoostpolder at Op de Wieken primary school in Tollebeek, while Het Lichtschip in Ens also got underway. This educational project teaches children and their communities about reusing, repairing, and recycling electronic waste. The E-Waste Race runs from March 2 to April 2, 2026.
The E-Waste Race
Ten primary schools in Lelystad and Noordoostpolder will compete over four weeks to collect old and broken electronic devices (also known as e-waste). During the E-Waste Race, children learn in an engaging and interactive way about topics such as reducing consumption, resource scarcity, reuse, repair, and recycling. Expert-led lessons are followed by hands-on activities where students actively contribute to making the Netherlands more circular. Over the following weeks, they will collect as many old and broken electronic devices as possible to pass on, have repaired, or recycle at a Wecycle collection point. Residents can offer their electronic waste at www.ewasterace.nl. Students will collect the items from homes and then transport them to a Wecycle collection point.
A Better World Starts in the Attic
There is still much progress to be made in e-waste collection. Half of all e-waste in the Netherlands is not properly collected. Old laptops or broken kitchen appliances often end up in attics or drawers. This is a huge waste, as e-waste contains valuable and reusable materials that deserve a second life. Some devices can have up to 95% of their components reused. That’s why the E-Waste Race is so important—it raises awareness among children and their communities about the significance of reuse and recycling.