Consumers

Why Recycle?

In the last decade in Europe the growth of WEEE was about three times higher than the average municipal waste stream.

Prior to the introduction of the WEEE Regulations 2005 much of the WEEE in Ireland was disposed of in the municipal waste stream directly to landfill. This is not an ideal solution as WEEE can contain harmful substances that could cause problems to human health and the environment if not treated properly on disposal. In addition production of EEE involves non renewable energy and raw material resources which cannot be recovered if WEEE is disposed of indiscriminately.

The WEEE Directive aims to reduce quantities of WEEE disposed of to landfill and reduce the harmful effects caused by WEEE on health and the environment whilst conserving natural resources.

Meanwhile, the Battery Directive aims to minimise the negative impacts of batteries and accumulators on the environment and also harmonise requirements for the smooth functioning of the internal market. To achieve these objectives, the Directive introduces measures to prohibit the marketing of some batteries containing hazardous substances. It contains measures for establishing schemes aiming at high level of collection and recycling of batteries with quantified collection and recycling targets. The Directive also sets out minimum rules for producer responsibility and provisions with regard to labelling of batteries and their removability from equipment.  Visit our consumer website, www.recyclefree.ie to learn more.

Collection

Since the introduction of the WEEE Regulations 2005 Consumers can bring their unwanted electrical and electronic equipment to their local Civic Amenity centres for recycling free of charge.

The WEEE Ireland map gives details of Civic Amenity centres nationwide with WEEE collection facilities.

In addition Consumers can bring back WEEE within 15 days to Retailers when they purchase new equipment on a like for like basis.

Retailers are also obliged to collect WEEE within 15 days of delivery of a new item, provided the item is disconnected from all mains, does not pose a health and safety risk and is readily available for collection.

Retailers must give 24 hours notice prior to the collection of WEEE.

If 24 hours notice is not given, retailers are obliged to collect WEEE within 15 days of delivery of a new item, provided the item is disconnected from all mains, does not pose a health and safety risk and is readily available for collection. If the item does not meet these requirements, the consumer may return their WEEE to the Retailer themselves within 30 days of the date of delivery.

Consumers can bring used batteries and accumulators to Retailers free of charge as long as the batteries and accumulators are of equivalent type available to purchase from the premises. There is no requirement for a purchase to be made.

Retailers may limit any one consumer to 5kgs of battery returns at any one time and may refuse to accept any waste portable battery leaking any of its constituent materials.

Consumers can also bring their used batteries and accumulators to their local Civic Amenity centres for recycling free of charge.