Lesson from Sustainable Innovation in Revertia

When I was offered the opportunity to carry out my secondment at Revertia in Spain, as part of the ExPliCit project, I had no idea how much this experience would enrich both my professional and personal life. After a long journey, I finally arrived in Vigo, a vibrant and welcoming city on the Atlantic coast that immediately made me feel at home. The first few weeks were very intense. I participated in numerous meetings with Revertia’s managers and the team from the University of Vigo, where I was introduced to the goals we needed to achieve during my secondment. The company immediately impressed me with its strategic vision: it’s not just about recycling or refurbishing old electronic devices, but about extending their life cycle, transforming waste disposal into a valuable resource for the circular economy. This underlying idea gave deeper meaning to my work there, allowing me to understand how a company can positively impact not only its own business but the entire ecosystem of sustainable waste management. During the two months I spent at Revertia, I had the opportunity to thoroughly analyze the company’s operations, with particular focus on the management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). I closely followed all the Reverse Supply Chain processes, from waste collection to its treatment and final shipment. WEEE is a topic I have been dealing with during my studies at Parthenope University where the reverse supply chain and reverse logistics of WEEE are fields of research and learning. At Revertia, I witnessed firsthand the company’s commitment to innovating and optimizing these processes, always striving to reduce environmental impact and maximize efficiency. What struck me the most was observing how to apply the futuring techniques developed in the ExPliCit project. Through various evaluations and methodologies, we examined how Revertia could respond to changes in European regulations or address new market trends related to e-waste management. It was interesting to understand the potential of these simulations in preparing a company for the future, enabling it to anticipate challenges and adapt its operational strategies to remain competitive and sustainable. Another aspect that particularly impressed me was the constant dialogue between academia and industry. My interactions with the research team from the University of Vigo and Revertia’s managers highlighted how crucial this collaboration is for tackling complex challenges such as sustainability and waste management. I was able to see how the synergy between theory and practice can truly drive innovative solutions, and how both sides can benefit from a continuous exchange of ideas and expertise. Looking back on these two months, I can say that this experience has enriched me in many ways. On a professional level, I learned a great deal about the practical application of academic knowledge in a real business context, and I saw how these can be integrated into the operational strategies of a company like Revertia.