Just four in ten of the most popular electronic and electrical gifts sold in Ireland have been recycled in the past three years, new data has indicated.
Since 2020, 40 per cent of end-of-life consumer electricals such as hair straighteners and shavers, smartphones, tablets, bluetooth headphones and speakers have been diverted from landfill sites.
The recycling rate falls to just under 10 per cent for electronic toys such as gaming consoles, e-scooters, e-bikes and battery-operated action figures, new figures show.
The research, collated by Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland, shows almost 7.5 million electrical toys were sold in Ireland over the last three years – more than a third of these in November and December.
As scores stock up on gifts this festive season, people have been urged to remember the importance of recycling.
Leo Donovan, chief executive of the country’s largest e-waste recycling scheme, said many electricals and electronics hold the potential for repair and reuse.
“However, in cases where this is not feasible, it’s crucial to recycle them and it won’t cost you a cent,” he said.
Figures released for International E-waste Day last month highlighted the significance of recycling smaller electronic products.
A study by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) showed how consumers worldwide discarded a staggering 7.3 billion electronic and electric toys in 2022 – one toy for every person on the planet.
Consumers have been reminded that they are entitled to free recycling on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis when buying in-store or online, including on delivery.
Electrical retailers including Power City, DID, Expert, Euronics, Soundstore, Harvey Norman and Curry’s PC World go beyond these regulatory obligations by offering free recycling of all types and size of household e-waste and batteries in store, with no purchase required, as part of the We’ll Take It Back initiative.
Mr Donovan added: “It is vital to remind everyone that unused items with a plug, battery or circuit board house valuable components that can be given a second life through recycling.
“You can easily return these items for recycling, free of charge, at your local authority civic amenity centre or participating retailer and help contribute to Ireland’s goal of a fully sustainable and circular economy.”
Weeeireland.ie provides an interactive map to help consumers find their nearest participating free recycling drop-off point.
Waste batteries can also be recycled for free in WEEE Ireland blue battery boxes at recycling centres, supermarkets, newsagents and anywhere batteries are sold.
