WEEE Ireland E-Waste Recycling Hits Record High in 2017

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The annual report published by WEEE Ireland indicates notable surge in electronic waste collection and recycling during 2017. The recycling of e-waste touched record level during the year. The collection of large household appliances reported huge surge. Ireland now recycles more than 15 million electronics per year.

According to the report, 35,708 tonnes of e-waste were collected for recycling in 2017. This is significantly higher from the collection of 34,482 tonnes reported in 2016. Also, the scheme recycled 874 tonnes of discarded batteries during the year. The collection rate equates to more than 10.8 kilograms per inhabitant. This is the first time that per head collection rate has surpassed 10 kg. The ‘record-breaking’ year of collection suggests that Ireland is well on its path to achieve 65% collection of all EEE placed on the market by 2019.

ALSO READ: Europe Responsible for Majority of Illegal E-Waste Shipments to Nigeria: UN Study

Out of the 35,708 tonnes of collection, 19,251 tonnes were collected from Retailer collection points, thereby accounting for 54% of the total collection. The WEEE collected from the above dedicated collection points recorded third straight year of increase in 2017. The weight of e-scrap collected from official retailer collection points had totaled only 15,706 tonnes in 2015. Nearly 6,205 tonnes (17%) were collected through special collection events. The remaining 10,252 tonnes (29%) were collected from 70 civic amenity sites.

The collection of Fridge/Freezers surged higher by 6% over the previous year to total 5,519 tonnes. The large household appliances collection too was up marginally by 1% to total 16,939 tonnes. The previous also recorded 7% jump in collection of small household appliances. On the other hand, collection of IT equipment, monitors and televisions declined when compared with 2016. A total of 15.5 million WEEE appliances were collected for recycling by WEEE Ireland in 2017.