Ireland Weee's on its waste

11-08-2008

by Ralph Averbuch

It's heartening to discover that Ireland is, for what feels like the first time in a long time, a leader in one field of electronics. Recycling. Yes, Ireland's a 'best in class' of European countries, with around nine kilos of electronic waste being recycled per person. This comes off the back of legislation which came into force three years ago. The national compliance scheme for electrical recycling administered by WEEE Ireland, came into being with the introduction of the WEEE Directive, where waste electronic goods could be deposited at recycling centres and retailers anywhere in Ireland for free recycling. Thus far it's been white goods, lights, appliances and various bits of old computers. But come this September and you'll be able to return all your batteries to the retailer you bought them from, including car batteries. Now if only Ireland could apply the same proactive principles to the production side of the equation...