Recycling charge scrapped on small electrical goods

PRICES of small electrical goods should fall slightly from today after the scrapping of the recycling charge that has been automatically built into the cost for the past three years.

The Environmental Management Charge (EMC), introduced in August 2005 under the European Union’s WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive, has also been removed from energy-efficient CFL light bulbs, which up to now have attracted a 50 cent charge each.

However, consumers will face EMCs of between €2 and €20 when buying larger electrical items such as televisions, washing machines, computers and cookers, while a €30 fee — down from €40 — will apply to the biggest of household fridges.