Kilkenny Smashes EU Target for Electronic Recycling
WEEE Ireland, the Irish compliance scheme for electrical and battery recycling is a leading player when it comes to electronic recycling in Ireland as it collected 250,000 tonnes of WEEE in 2012. From its annual report, Kilkenny had 7kg of electrical waste collected per person which is in line with the national average (7.65kg) and exceeds the EU recycling target of 4kg per person.
Some of the findings in the WEEE Ireland 2012 annual report were;
- 10% of Irish people hoard electronic waste at home
- The average consumer has over 110 batteries in their home
- 1 in 5 batteries in Ireland are put in general waste
- 10% of people put their electronic waste in general waste bins
Currently electronic waste items recycled with WEEE Ireland are sent through dedicated separation centres that ensure proper management of hazards and efficient resource recovery. Recovered materials can then be sent back into manufacturing where they are reused.
Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland at the launch of the annual report, said - "It is important that WEEE is handed over to an authorised collection point to ensure that your appliances are recycled correctly". Shops that sell batteries have battery boxes in store to allow consumers to drop back their old batteries. Consumers purchasing new electronic items can return their old appliance to the shop as stores are obliged to operate a take back policy free of charge. Householders who are completing a clear out of old electrical appliances can drop them into Dunmore Recycling Centre free of charge or at a WEEE mobile collection should one visit your local area. Returning your household appliances and batteries through one of these outlets will ensure they are recycled appropriately.
So far this year 14 mobile WEEE collections have taken place in Kilkenny in partnership with local communities and the County Council. These collections have resulted in over 70 tonnes of electronic waste and batteries being collected and sent for recycling in an environmentally friendly manner. For those with any queries on how to recycle your electronic waste and batteries, please log onto www.recyclefree.ie to find out how easy it is to recycle or alternatively contact the Environment Section of Kilkenny County Council on 056-7794470.
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