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FUNDERS
All our publications, our database and website, as well as our learning hub and app are funded by the entities named below. Our podcast has its own set of sponsors, which you can explore here.
Christine Nikander
Christine Nikander founded The E-Waste Column in September 2022. She also funded The E-Waste Column as the promoter of Palsa & Pulk between September 2022 and November 2022. After Palsa & Pulk was incorporated and registered at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, Palsa & Pulk B.V. took over these costs and the future funding of The E-Waste Column.
Palsa & Pulk B.V.
Since its incorporation in November 2022, the social enterprise, Palsa & Pulk B.V. has funded The E-Waste Column and all its operations. Palsa & Pulk has also carried all costs incurred by the project prior to this. Therewith, Palsa & Pulk has been the sole funder of The E-Waste Column to date.
All revenues generated through donations to, licensing from, and memberships for The E-Waste Column are currently being reinvested into the project. You will find more information and details about our funding and the conditions we have in place around funding to help assure our independence and autonomy here.

Why are our funders investing in our education and training work?
The short answer is because upskilling workers, employees, and citizens for the circular economy and the just energy transition makes a lot of sense.
Closing a key gap in education and knowledge management
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E-waste is the fastest-growing solid waste stream globally. It also contains raw materials that are needed in the manufacturing of renewable energy technologies. Surprisingly however, e-waste does not get much attention in mainstream education and media coverage. We are here to change that and democratize knowledge on raw materials, e-waste, the circular economy, and the energy transition.
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Through The E-Waste Column and The E-Waste Learning Hub, we contribute to the necessary change around e-waste.
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Advancing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals
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Through The E-Waste Column and The E-Waste Learning Hub, we contribute to accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Our educational work around e-waste and electronics circularity bridges across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We cover social, environmental, industrial, and developmental considerations in our resources with the hope of contributing to a better future.
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Upskilling workers for the circular economy
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A recent report from Circular Talent found that, in companies' spending on the circular economy, "[a] clear paradox exists: companies readily justify the budget for new machinery or digital platforms but struggle to approve the investment in human training, often because the return on investment (ROI) is not as immediate or as easily quantifiable. The "aha moment" for organizations often comes when the financial case for upskilling becomes undeniable, such as when new regulations directly penalize waste and poor material management. For upskilling to be prioritized, its financial returns must be as clear as those of a new piece of equipment."
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Through The E-Waste Column and The E-Waste Learning Hub, we create and provide high quality, affordable, and accessible training for companies looking to upskill their employees and workers. By minimizing the financial burden and risk tied to upskilling for companies and employers, we actively propel the development and growth of the circular economy forward.
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​Creating a just transition that is gender inclusive
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In their 2023 report titled "Gender equality in the sustainable energy transition", UN Women and UNIDO state that the “structural gender inequalities need to be addressed and women’s potential as agents of change integrated in all energy endeavours”, in order “[t]o ensure that women and gender-diverse people have equal access to and control over sustainable energy and can equally lead, contribute to and benefit from the sustainable energy transition”.
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In the same report, Women and UNIDO also say that “major investments are required in reskilling the workforce, and these investments need to create equal opportunities for all genders”, in order “[t]o ensure a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies that is gender-responsive and creates decent jobs at scale”.
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Through The E-Waste Column and The E-Waste Learning Hub, we create and provide gender inclusive education and training for a just transition.


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