Electrical waste reuse could create 300 jobs

A University of Limerick study has highlighted the potential for up to 300 jobs in a national refurbishment programme for waste electrical and electronic equipment.

Each year, Ireland recycles about 35,000 tonnes of such equipment, none of which is reused.

Report author Colin Fitzpatrick said: “In addition to improved resource efficiency the development of a reuse sector is a significant growth opportunity for the social economy. If Ireland were to achieve overall waste electrical and electronic equipment reuse rates comparable with those where reuse is established such as Belgium at 6%, it would translate to employment creation of approximately 300 manufacturing jobs.”

The publication of the EPA-funded report — conducted by the university in conjunction with Rehab Recycle and Clondalkin Community Recycling Initiative — coincides with the announcement of new regulations.

For the first time, these rules will permit organisations, approved to be operating to international best practice, to gain access to equipment suitable for reuse from established collection sites.

Rehab Recycle, in co-operation with Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Ireland, has already begun refurbishing a range of white goods in Ballymount, Dublin, initially employing six people.

Richard Jordan, Rehab’s director of recycling, said: “We hope to increase numbers to 20 in the coming year as the flow of suitable material increases.”