E-waste recycling hits slump amid lockdown

THE amount of electrical waste recycled at local authority centres across the country rose by 10% last year – the equivalent of half a million small appliances, new data shows.

However, our new-year habits have been something of a turn-off. Although our approach to recycling e-waste has generally been improving, there was a spike last month in the number of electrical items that were not recycled, but dumped in general waste bins instead. This is being blamed on the 5km travel restriction and seen as against the new norm in how we are dealing with e-waste.

However, that trend in 2021 has fuelled a 7% decrease in electrical recycling compared to January last year.

Leo Donovan, chief executive of Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland, said: ‘We would ask people to seriously consider the danger and environmental impact of getting rid of e-waste in household bins. We need people to support a transition towards a more circular economy, which aims to keep our resources in circulation for longer.’

He warned that small items containing batteries can be dangerous to dispose of in general waste and that the valuable raw materials ending up in landfill sites can never be recovered for re-use.

‘Recycling means that 85% of the valuable raw materials used in these products, such as plastics, glass and metals, can be used again when safely recovered and treated through authorised recycling centres,’ Mr Donovan added.

An interactive map of local authority recycling centres can be found at weeeireland.ie.