ReX activities for sheltered workshops: opportunities and collaboration | Road to ReX - part 1

ReX activities: a challenge for manufacturers

Collecting, inspecting and disassembling products requires time and personnel. Because not all products are designed for reuse, there is a lack of standard procedures. Manufacturers often don’t have the manpower to take a systematic approach in this area, making it difficult to get ReX activities up and running.

Collaboration between manufacturers and sheltered workshops

Sheltered workshops can make a difference here. They are accustomed to handling labour-intensive processes and breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps. Their employees work with precision and efficiency, enabling components that would otherwise go to waste to acquire new value. This creates a win-win situation: manufacturers can maintain their focus on their core production activity, while sheltered workshops create new economic opportunities and additional social employment.
 

Why ReX collaboration is often difficult

There is still a disconnect between manufacturers and sheltered workshops. Misunderstandings exist regarding each other’s working methods, the speed of processes and expectations. The lack of clear shared goals is often the underlying cause of this. For a successful partnership, a sound business case that convinces both parties is essential. This requires joint exploratory steps, repeated evaluations and the combining of each party’s expertise.
 

Six building blocks for successful ReX initiatives

Although there is no universal approach to ReX, practice shows that six building blocks form the basis of sustainable collaboration. These fall into two categories: internal and external building blocks.
 

Internal building blocks for ReX in sheltered workshops

The internal factors are closely linked to the sheltered workshop’s culture. They change slowly, but offer stability and direction.

1. Scope for action: the degree of freedom within the organisation to initiate ReX projects. This determines how much room there is for experimentation.
2. Key people: the people who push projects forward and generate enthusiasm. Their role is crucial in getting colleagues on board.
3. Assets: the strengths an organisation can build on, such as precision work, flexibility or experience in specific sectors.
 

External building blocks for ReX collaboration

The external factors are about customers, partners and other stakeholders. They are more subject to change, because they respond to market developments and customer demands.

4. Objectives: the ambitions a ReX initiative aims to achieve for a product or process. These provide direction and stability.
5. Co-creation: the process in which partners formulate shared goals and discuss uncertainties. Collaboration here develops through trust and dialogue.
6. Business case: the economic fundamentals that make an initiative profitable for both parties. Without financial support, the partnership will not last.

Living Lab Circular Economy Remanumaat (VNS.2023.0113) with financial support from VLAIO.