E-Waste in Ireland

In today’s world of technology, the desire for newer, faster, isn’t always better. E-waste is on the increase all around the world. Only a small portion of electronic waste is effectively recycled. The rest is binned. In this blog post, we will explore the current state of e-waste in Ireland and the measures being taken to combat this growing problem.

According to WEEEIreland, last year alone, consumers in Ireland generated 11 million kilos of small electronic waste.

The majority of Ireland’s e-waste is not being disposed of safely. Many devices simply end up drawers in houses or worse, general waste bins. These items contain precious and valuable metals.  They need to enter Ireland’s recycling system or they will be lost forever.

Awareness

One of the main reasons for this issue is the lack of awareness among consumers and businesses about the importance of recycling e-waste. Many people do not know that electronic devices contain hazardous substances that can harm both the environment and human health when not disposed of properly. It is crucial to raise awareness of this issue and educate everyone about the importance of proper disposal of electronic waste.

In response to this, the Irish government introduced the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive in 2005, which aims to reduce the amount of electronic waste going to landfill and promote the recovery, reuse, and recycling of e-waste. Under this directive, producers are responsible for financing the collection and recycling of their products. However, despite the WEEE directive being active for over a decade, Ireland has a recycling rate for e-waste far below the EU target of 65%.

Where to recycle

One of the most effective ways to combat e-waste in Ireland is the development of specialist recycling centres. These centres can take your old electronic devices and dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way. For example, WEEE Ireland, is a not-for-profit waste collection scheme, operating since 2005. It provides consumers with accessible and convenient options to dispose of their electronic waste, in addition to free national collection days.

Another option is to donate your used electronics or resell them to people who can’t afford new devices. These programs benefit people who would otherwise not have access to technology. They also help the environment by reducing e-waste. You can do this for free on Adverts.ie or DoneDeal.ie

Conclusion

E-waste is a significant problem in Ireland. It is up to all of us to take responsibility and do our part to reduce this problem. The Irish Government has introduced measures to tackle this issue, such as the WEEE directive.

It is still important that we all play our part.  One way to do that is to choose to recycle your electronic waste with reputable recycling company. Let’s all work together to ensure we minimize the impact on the environment.

If you have large items that you need disposed of, consider a man and van junk removal service.