Record volume of electrical goods recycled last year

A record volume of electrical goods were recycled in Ireland last year with 18.1 million devices processed, well above European levels.

The annual report of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE Ireland) says the volume by weight of electronic goods recycled is up a little over 2% to 41,730 tonnes.

The organisation says the increase is the equivalent of 200 40ft containers.

A new feature is the recycling of vapes or e-cigarettes, which was targeted last year in a national bring back scheme.

WEEE Ireland says that while recycling rates for this type of waste are above the levels in other European countries, Ireland could be doing better.

The company’s CEO Leo Donovan said each household has around 12 to 15 small appliances, such as small power tools and electric toothbrushes, that could be recycled.

“Most householders have a hidden treasure trove of broken, unused or unwanted electrical equipment in their homes. They alone hold the key to recycling them, giving them a new lease of life, so we can recover the critical raw materials they contain.”

The Critical Raw Materials Act came into effect in Ireland last month, and by 2030, 25% of critical and strategic materials such as lithium, copper and cobalt must be sourced from recycling systems within Europe.

Europe currently imports 80% of its rare earth elements, gallium and magnesium, from China.

“With finite resources, it is also vital that we support Ireland’s new National Waste Development Plan transitioning from the traditional ‘take-make-use-dispose’ model to one where electrical and electronic devices are being reused or repaired as much as possible to minimise waste generation,” said Mr Donovan.

The annual report also revealed that last year, 54% of e-waste was collected from retailer sites, 26% from local authority sites and 20% from WEEE Ireland’s network of collection points.

Consumers are encouraged to bring old and broken appliances for free recycling, to their nearest local authority civic amenity centre or participating electrical retailers, with no purchases necessary.