WEEE Ireland collected and recycled 45% of electrical waste in 2013

EDGWARE (Scrap Monster): According to latest released statistics, 25,651 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) were collected and recycled by WEEE Ireland in 2013. The annual report released yesterday states that the above is inclusive of 505,000 units of large household appliances, over five million units of small household appliances, 432,000 units of TVs and 66,000 units of fridge/freezers.

The collected and recycled WEEE constitutes only 45% of such wastes placed on the market. This implies that a good 55% are still not being disposed off through proper channels or recycled. The rates have shown significant improvement over the previous year. However, it is quite far away from the target of 65% by 2019, set by the new e-waste legislation.

WEEE Ireland expressed concerns over the rise in unauthorized collectors who pose significant environmental hazards by recycling the collected e-waste using unhealthy methods. It also noted that households still have piles of e-waste dumped under stairs and under attics. It called upon the residents to bring their unused electrical and electronic devices to authorized centres for free recycling.

WEEE Ireland is a compliance scheme organising the environmental management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and waste batteries.