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Electronic waste collection centers, emblematic of the “might as well buy new” mentality, of a hit-and-run consumption model, and of production inspired by the planned obsolescence of household appliances. Claudio Tedeschi, 67, has responded to this widespread paradigm with a virtuous circular economy project. He is the owner of Dismeco, a company founded in 1977 and specialising in the disposal and treatment of technological waste from recycling centres and large retailers. We are in Marzabotto, in the Bolognese Apennines. In 2010, Dismeco’s machinery was transferred to warehouses that were once the site of a former paper mill. The appliances that arrive are sorted through a selective dismantling line that is unique in Europe: the recovered spare parts are reassembled to create refurbished appliances to be donated. This is how, for example, 300 washing machines were recovered and then donated to the local Caritas charity. Claudio is the protagonist of CNA Storie of the Month.

The circular economy project awarded European funding

“We verified that many of these appliances were in good condition,” explains Claudio. “Since Dismeco is not a company that indiscriminately destroys appliances, but rather selectively dismantles them, and since we have a large number of historical spare parts that are impossible to find elsewhere at affordable prices, we launched a project to bring refurbished washing machines to the consumer market.

To finance the project, Dismeco received significant recognition, winning European funding for industrial plans aimed at protecting the environment, nature conservation, and climate action as part of the Life Environment 2024 program. This virtuous project earned Claudio the honor of Cavaliere del Lavoro (Knight of Labor) from President Mattarella.

A generative process that leverages training

“This project can be replicated and disseminated in other contexts, using a generative process: with the washing machines in Rome, we can create workshops in Rome,” explains Claudio. To do this, we need to fill a gap, because today the profession of appliance repairer is dying out, sacrificed to the logic of hit-and-run consumption. To reverse this trend, there is no other way than training. “We have created an Academy with CNA to train new professionals specialized in the certified repair of appliances that require historical spare parts that are impossible to find.”

Repairers, 100% artisans

This specialization is based on a high level of craftsmanship: “Operators need to have in-depth knowledge of individual appliances and undergo continuous training. This process will create innovation and new jobs in the local area,” explains Claudio. And the market seems ready. “A market survey shows that two out of ten consumers would be willing to buy a refurbished appliance at a fair price,” he points out. “We have all the industrial characteristics to start the process, but the product, also due to regulatory difficulties, has yet to arrive in concrete terms.” The obstacle is called bureaucracy. But Claudio is determined to move forward: “We invented the process: the product is not yet available due to regulatory difficulties related to the fact that the product was previously considered waste, but thanks to European recognition, the process will be facilitated.”

Promoters of a paradigm shift

“The important thing for us is to demonstrate that it is possible to change the paradigm based on the fact that what can be regenerated should not be destroyed, much less at a differentiated level. In short, we want to demonstrate that this type of approach can be generative in terms of waste reduction and job creation.”

Questo articolo Video story. The impossible-to-find spare part that drives circular economy è stato pubblicato su CNA.