Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/tonympix
e-waste

Almost 12 million small appliances were recycled in Ireland last year

Enough iron for 2.5 Eiffel towers and enough copper for 27 Statues of Liberty was recovered.

IRELAND’S LARGEST ELECTRICAL and battery recycling scheme had its most successful year in 2017.

WEEE Ireland recycled a total of 35,708 tonnes of e-waste and 874 tonnes of waste batteries from Irish householders, consumers and businesses last year, according to its annual report.

It was a record-breaking year for the scheme, which achieved a collection rate of more than 10kg of e-waste for every single person in Ireland.

Nearly half of all the e-waste recycled was large household appliances such as dishwashers, ovens and washing machines, which can be returned to retailers for recycling on delivery of new appliances.

Among the items recycled were an estimated:

  • 3.2 million lamps and lightbulbs
  • 195,000 televisions and monitors
  • Almost 12 million small appliances

Recycling the 35,708 tonnes of waste led to the recovery of 18,000 tonnes of iron and 830 tonnes of copper.

This is enough iron for 2.5 Eiffel towers and enough copper for 27 Statues of Liberty.

“We are extremely proud of these results and want to thank every person who recycled even one item of e-waste,” the CEO of WEEE Ireland, Leo Donovan, said.

However, we can’t become complacent. We will only achieve long-term change and benefits for the environment if we continue to manage our e-waste responsibly.

WEEE Ireland also surpassed EU targets in waste portable battery collections, where the quantity collected increased from 812 to 874 tonnes.

Donovan said this marks another successful year for the LauraLynn ‘Every Battery Counts’ campaign and is testament to how the ‘Blue Box’ has become synonymous with battery recycling in schools, retailers and businesses across Ireland.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
15
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds