What is The E-Waste Learning Hub?

 

The E-Waste Learning Hub is our new e-learning platform. The platform allows learners to gain an overview of key topics related to raw materials, circularity, and the just energy transition. By purchasing a subscription, learners can access all of our content fully remotely and learn at their own pace.

 

To date, the platform entails 100+ short learning modules that we are consistently working to build out and improve. The learning modules on the platform are still largely text-based. Through the purchase of a subscription, you can support us in raising the funds to create more interactive learning components (such as videos) for our e-learning platform.

How does The E-Waste Learning Hub allow you to connect with others?

​

​As a part of the annual memberships to The E-Waste Learning Hub, you will be able to join our hub groups.​

 

We have created "The E-Waste Hub" for professionals and "The E-Waste Student Hub" for students only. "The Electronics Repair Hub" is for those looking to repair their electronics. "The Critical Raw Material Career Hub" is for those looking to network and explore career opportunities. Finally, "The Circular Minerals Partnership Hub" is for stakeholders looking to connect and collaborate.

Who are the learning modules in The E-Waste Learning Hub meant for?

 

The learning modules in The E-Waste Learning Hub are intended for anyone looking to learn the basics about raw materials, the circular economy, the energy transition, or AI and robotics. They give a broad and easily understandable overview of key topics in each of these subject areas.

 

Across the board, the modules are designed to be understandable without a previous background in — or familiarity with — the topics they cover. In line with this, we recommend that more experienced learners select to follow modules on topics they are not yet familiar with, unless they are looking to revise the basics.

Can the learning modules in The E-Waste Learning Hub be used to onboard new employees?

 

The learning modules in The E-Waste Learning Hub can be a useful and cost-effective resource for setting employees up for long-term success. By purchasing a subscription, companies can use our resources to train new hires and existing employees on a range of topics.​​

​

Broadly speaking, our learning modules can be used to teach employees the basics about e-waste, transition minerals, critical raw materials, the circular economy, the energy transition, AI and robotics, and related topics. The modules give a broad and easily understandable overview of key topics in each of these subject areas. You can explore all the topics we cover in closer detail here.

 

The E-Waste Learning Hub is particularly suitable for companies in the electronics, technology, mining, renewable energy, or related sectors looking to train new employees, who have joined them from another field and/or do not have a technical background. Our resources have specifically been designed to be understandable without a previous background in the topics they cover — making them especially useful for training HR, legal, administrative, and management staff, as well as other supporting staff at your company.​

How long are the learning modules in The E-Waste Learning Hub?

 

The learning modules in The E-Waste Learning Hub are short by design. They are created with the intention of being possible to complete in one or two sittings. You can complete them behind your screen at home or on the go in the TransitionED app.

When will the learning modules be available

to users through The E-Waste Learning Hub?

 

 We are currently working hard behind the scenes to build out the learning modules for our e-learning platform. You can browse through the 100+ short learning modules that are planned here.

​

Courses that are still missing core components entail sections titled "Coming Soon". This allows the (future and current) users of platform to easily see where a learning module is not yet complete.

 

We will be launching new modules in smaller batches throughout late 2025 and early 2026.​ These courses that are not yet complete are marked with an introductory section titled "Module Under Construction".

 

We kindly ask for your patience as we build out the modules, and we sincerely hope the transparency around our process is something that you will see and value. In case anything is unclear and you are looking for answers on when you can expect an specific module or component to go live, please reach out via via our contact form or by e-mail.

Is it possible to test out The E-Waste Learning Hub

before committing to buying a membership?

 

Our "Hub Membership" and "Student Membership" come with a 2-day free trial, allowing you to test out The E-Waste Learning Hub before committing to buying a membership.

 

There also are currently also several learning modules that you can enroll to for free on our e-learning platform and app, and complete at your own pace without purchasing a membership.

How will the early versions of the learning modules differ from the later learning modules that are planned for The E-Waste Learning Hub?

 

 Our first set of learning modules are still largely text-based. They are shorter and feature less interactive learning components (such as videos) than we have planned for the full versions of our learning modules.

 

As a bootstrapped project, the sale of subscriptions as we scale supports us in raising the funds to further build out and improve our e-learning platform. Throughout the process, we are looking to collect feedback and gain further insights into our users' needs and preferences.

What is TransitionED?

 

TransitionED is the mobile app version of The E-Waste Learning Hub. The early version of the app will be made available to users in autumn 2025.​

What is "The 3.5 Percent"?

 

"The 3.5 Percent" is a storytelling based component of The E-Waste Learning Hub and the TransitionED app. It is focused on telling the stories of ordinary people stepping into their power as citizens, volunteers, activists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and business owners.

 

The series tells the personal stories of people still pushing for positive social and environmental change at time when having hope often feels like a radical act. You can access the stories for free here.

What types of memberships are available

for The E-Waste Learning Hub?

 

You can browse through the different memberships we offer for individuals, students, and organizations here. You can read about the terms and conditions that apply to our memberships here.

​

Please note that we will be releasing new modules throughout late 2025 and 2026. 

Is it possible to gift someone a membership 

for The E-Waste Learning Hub?

 

It is possible to buy gift cards for the memberships to The E-Waste Learning Hub. You can browse through the different gift cards and memberships we offer here and read about the terms and conditions that apply to our memberships here.

Why are not all modules of The E-Waste Learning Hub free?

 

The predecessor of The E-Waste Learning Hub, namely a prototype called The E-Waste Database, was free to users until 1 September 2025. We are now selling memberships to our new learning hub to raise the funds we need to build and scale our our platform.

 

As a fully bootstrapped project, your memberships are the only funding that makes our work possible. We are therefore also incredibly grateful to each of our users for supporting our work and making this project a reality.

What if I cannot afford to purchase a membership 

for The E-Waste Learning Hub?

 

We sell "Gift of Learning" memberships through which our community can donate memberships to students and low-income individuals that cannot afford to purchase a membership for themselves. If you are in need of a free membership donated by our community, please contact us through the request form found here.

What sets the learning modules in The E-Waste Learning Hub apart from other online courses?

 

The E-Waste Learning Hub is designed to convey complex contents to laypersons, without requiring learners to have preexisting (university or vocational) education in the field. By doing this, we hope to democratize the access to high-quality knowledge on raw materials, the circular economy, the energy transition, as well as AI and robotics.

 

Our e-learning platform consists of a large series of very short learning modules — rather than only a few long format courses, as is commonly found from other online course providers. This allows our learners to acquire knowledge without having to sit through long courses that stretch over several weeks and require the completion of time-intensive assessments, such as essays and formal exams. Our short modules also allow learners to pick out the precise topic(s) that they are looking to understand, without having to complete or skip through other course contents.

What is microlearning and how is it used in the

learning modules of The E-Waste Learning Hub?

​

In microlearning, learners are offered information and knowledge in small or bite-sized pieces. This makes the information easier and more manageable to consume and understand. It also supports the retention of the information by reducing the cognitive load placed on learners.

​

The E-Waste Learning Hub incorporates microlearning by being structured in the form of short learning modules and by offering learners access to videos, quizzes, and other interactive content that can be completed quickly and on the go.

How can learners best benefit from the microlearning

The E-Waste Learning Hub offers?

​​

Learners long-term memory retention can be strengthened by completing contents of The E-Waste Learning Hub in regular and spaced out intervals.

 

The best results through microlearning are likely achieved, if learning is done in a spaced out manner over a longer timeframe (to optimize memory consolidation) and if this is combined with recalling past learnings, by (re)completing quizzes and assessments (to strengthen memory retrieval pathways).

Who can read and see your answers and submissions to the questions and quizzes in the learning modules of The E-Waste Learning Hub?

​

Only you and the course instructors can see your answers and submissions to the questions and quizzes in the learning modules of The E-Waste Learning Hub. We treat your input with the confidentiality that can be expected in safe learning environments, and we will not publish your answers anywhere without your explicit written consent.

Will I receive a certificate for completed learning modules?

 

Every time you successfully complete a learning module from The E-Waste Learning Hub, you will automatically be e-mailed a certificate of completion for the module.

 

To assure that your name appears correctly on your certificates, please make sure that you have entered your name the way you would it to appear on the certificate under your account details.

 

You have 30 days to download the certificate. In case you need us to reissue a certificate for you, please contact us by e-mail.

Why does The E-Waste Learning Hub have specific modules focused on robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation?

 

Since it was founded in 2022, The E-Waste Column has had the overarching mission to explore and teach about ways that technology can be designed, manufactured, and used in manners that are more sustainable, responsible, ethical, and inclusive than under the current status quo.

 

Robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and automation are currently transforming the way raw materials and e-waste are managed, as well as our world more broadly. We therefore see it as our responsibility to also educate the general public on these topics. If you would like to learn more, you can browse through the contents of the short learning modules here.

In which language(s) will the learning modules

of The E-Waste Learning Hub be available?

 

  The first learning modules were made available in English on 1 September 2025. Throughout late 2025 and 2026, we plan to make new modules available to users in smaller batches. You can browse through all the modules here.

​​

In the future, we plan to also translate our learning modules into German. This will be done by Christine Nikander and Heidrun Kordholste-Nikander to make sure nothing is lost in translation and that the content is reflected accurately in German.

Does The E-Waste Learning Hub have a social mission?

 

The goal behind The E-Waste Learning Hub is to empower businesses and civil society to use electronics and modern technology more responsibly.

 

We believe tech can be a catalyst for large-scale positive societal change, so long as we are willing to engage in critical thinking and inclusive discourses on its use. Through The E-Waste Learning Hub, we aim to encourage society at large to explore how to design, produce, use, and engage with tech in more ethical and sustainable ways. Amongst others, our learning modules aim to help our readers and users to explore how tech can be used to protect our planet or to contribute to the upholding of social and labor rights globally.

Through the educational resources we create, we ultimately hope to play a part in strengthening our democracies by sparking respectful and meaningful discussions between citizens and different actors.

What is The E-Waste Database?

 

The E-Waste Database is the predecessor of The E-Waste Learning Hub. In other words, it is an early text-based prototype of the e-learning platform we are now building. The database was free to users until 1 September 2025. Until 1 March 2026, users that have purchased a membership from us can continue to access and use the current database.

​​

Our database allows learners to access content remotely and learn at their own pace. It covers 30+ topics and entails 260+ learning entries. These are broadly focused on raw materials, circularity, and the just energy transition. 

​

Alongside with its learning function, our database acts as an easily searchable public archive of our research. We have added close to all of the information from our columns and newsletters to the database.

Why have we made a prototype of

our e-learning platform available for free?

 

The E-Waste Database is an early prototype of the e-learning platform we are building. To maximize the reach of our educational resources, our database was publicly accessible, without charging any fees to its users, until 1 September 2025.​

​

Until 1 March 2026, users that have purchased a membership from us can continue to access and use the database.

What information is included in The E-Waste Learning Hub and The E-Waste Database?

 

In The E-Waste Learning Hub and The E-Waste Database, you can browse through close to all the information on e-waste, transition minerals, and critical raw materials that we have compiled for The E-Waste Column and The E-Waste Newsletter since September 2022.​

​

The E-Waste Learning Hub also includes information going beyond what was published in our columns and newsletters.

I am looking to get a better overview of the life cycle of an EV battery. Is there a resource that can help me with this?

​

Palsa & Pulk B.V. has created an interactive visual on the life cycle of an EV battery together with students from the Master's program in sustainable development at Utrecht University. The visual is freely accessible to all on Palsa & Pulk's website and can be accessed here.

I am looking to get a better overview of the life cycle of a reusable vape. Is there a resource that can help me with this?

​​

Palsa & Pulk B.V. has created an interactive visual on the life cycle of a reusable vape together with students from the Master's program in sustainable development at Utrecht University. The visual is freely accessible to all on Palsa & Pulk's website and can be accessed here.

Who has created the content found in The E-Waste Learning Hub?

​

You will find a list of the contributors to The E-Waste Learning Hub here.

 

Unless stated otherwise in the learning materials, the content found in The E-Waste Learning Hub has been created by Christine Nikander and the team at Palsa & Pulk B.V. You can read a bit about each of the team members and their specific expertise here.

What knowledge of the technology sector does

the team behind The E-Waste Learning Hub have?

​

Amongst others, the team members at Palsa & Pulk B.V. — who have created The E-Waste Learning Hub — have studied environmental protection technology, industrial product design, as well as intellectual property and patent law at university. You can read more about each of the team members' experience here.

What experience does the team behind The E-Waste Learning Hub have with providing adult education?

​

Each of the team members at Palsa & Pulk B.V., who have created The E-Waste Learning Hub, have past experience with providing education to adults. Collectively, our team has experience hosting workshops, webinars, and panels; teaching at (vocational) schools; lecturing at university; speaking at industry events and conferences; working with young growth firms and entrepreneurs in accelerator and education programs; guiding students through practical learning and consultancy projects; as well as creating educational materials for public institutions and private companies.

 

You can read more about our experience here.

What is the story behind The E-Waste Learning Hub?

​

You can learn more about the story behind The E-Waste Learning Hub in our "Behind the Scenes".

What role does collaboration play for

the content created for The E-Waste Learning Hub?

​​​

​The E-Waste Learning Hub is the product of collaboration between the team at Palsa & Pulk B.V. and our partners. It also features interactive visuals created by students gaining practical work experience with us.

​

The core team at Palsa & Pulk B.V., who have created the vast majority of the content for The E-Waste Learning Hub, have know each other for 4 to 30 years. Some of us have grown up together, and we have all learned together and from each other over the years. Our work is built on our friendship, mutual respect, far-reaching trust, and a collaborative way of working. We believe in building a better future together, and this is something that we hope our users will see reflected in the contents of The E-Waste Learning Hub.

Can I suggest a (potential) topic for a new

learning module for The E-Waste Learning Hub?

​

You are most welcome to drop us a line with suggestions for topics that you would like to see us cover in future learning modules. You can do this via our contact form or by e-mail.

Can I partner with The E-Waste Column

to do research or create educational content?

 

If you are interested in partnering with us for research or educational purposes, please contact us via our contact form or by e-mail.

 

Our expertise and time has a value, which means we also expect to be fairly remunerated for our work where appropriate.

I am having issues viewing the learning modules. What should I do?​

​

In case the modules or entries of the learning hub are not showing up properly for you, we recommend opening the page again, pressing refresh, and waiting for a minute. As we use a number of widgets and the data set on our website is so large, our pages may not always load correctly right away. Typically, a fresh start and a bit of patience will solve the problem. If this is not the case, please contact us.

Was your question not answered?​

​

You will find the answers to questions on legal, funding, copyright, licensing, and privacy matters here. If you cannot find the answers you were looking for anywhere on our website, please reach out via our contact form or by e-mail.