Ireland breaks new record for recycling electrical and electronic waste 

The annual Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) report shows that 18.1m electric and electronic appliances were collected for recycling in Ireland in 2023. Picture: Naoise Culhane/PA

Irish consumers recycled a record-breaking 41,730 tonnes of electronic and electrical waste in 2023, the equivalent of 200 40-foot containers more than the previous year.

The annual Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) report shows that 18.1mn appliances were collected for recycling here.

WEEE Ireland chief executive Leo Donovan said that the need to recycle more critical raw materials will rise as the population grows: 

Most householders have a hidden treasure trove of broken, unused, or unwanted electrical equipment in their homes.

“They hold the key to recycling them, giving them a new lease of life, so we can recover the critical raw materials they contain.”

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB

The e-waste haul saved from landfill in 2023, up from the 40,767 tonnes collected in 2022, included 2m lighting items, a quarter of a million televisions, and over half a million large household appliances, including fridge freezers.

WEEE Ireland CEO Leo Donovan said Irish householders 'hold the key to recycling [electrical equipment] giving them a new lease of life, so we can recover the critical raw materials they contain. Picture: Paul Moore/PA

In addition, 750,000 vapes were also collected after the national recycling scheme implemented its first dedicated takeback programme for waste e-cigarettes and vapes last year, through WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes.

About 15m small appliances, such as coffee makers, calculators, kettles, and keyboards, along with the equivalent of 66m AA batteries, made their way into the circular economy.

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

Europe 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 to minimise waste generation,” Mr Donovan said.

The annual report also revealed that 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 purchase necessary.

• Information about recycling e-waste and upcoming free public recycling days can be found at WEEEIreland.ie.