Boycott no answer to waste problem
All stakeholders - including producers, retailers and end-users - have a responsibility to contribute to the safe disposal and recycling of waste electrical equipment.
From August 13, all retailers will be adding visible environmental management costs (EMCs) to the retail price of all new electrical goods. These costs will contribute towards the safe disposal and recycling of old electronic equipment.
Producers and retailers, through the introduction of EMCs and the additional cost of managing and coordinating the take-back of old electrical goods, are also contributing to the funding of this effort.
From August 13, if a consumer purchases a new electrical product, then a retailer is obliged to take back an old, similar product free of charge. This can happen in-store or when a new appliance is being delivered to a consumer’s home, once the old appliance is clean, disconnected and ready for collection.
Old electrical goods can also be taken to any one of 64 civic amenity centres around the country and disposed of for free.
To date, there was a charge to consumers when bringing such equipment to civic amenity sites.
The take-back of old electrical appliances for free at civic amenity centres is a longer term initiative, so consumers have plenty of time to dispose of old appliances.
By urging consumers to boycott paying EMCs, the Consumers Association is effectively encouraging them not to recycle old electronic equipment. This kind of call to action is a step backwards in the race against waste and the overall drive to dispose safely of old electronic equipment.
Leo Donovan
Chief Executive
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Ireland
Beacon Court
Sandyford
Dublin 18
