Vapes and solar panels see electrical device sales surge

Excluding vapes, consumption of electronics is still climbing – a challenge given that EU recycling targets are based on sales volumes, regardless of product life cycle or whether they can be reused. File Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Vapes and solar panels have driven a 75% surge in electrical device sales over the last five years, according to an e-waste recycling body.

A total of 93 million household electronic items were purchased in 2024 – almost three times the volume sold in 2006, according to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland.