Wednesday 13 August 2008

Ireland tops recycling table

More than 21 million electronic goods including washing machines, cookers and kettles have been recycled in the past three years, placing Ireland at the top of an EU recycling league.

New figures show that 9kg of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) were collected and recycled per person in 2007 -- more than twice the 4kg target set for Ireland by the EU.

This means 100,000 tonnes of electronic waste have been diverted from landfill since August 2005. Over 70pc of waste collected has been processed in Ireland, with the remainder going to WEEE treatment plants in the UK and Europe.

Any household item that requires a plug or battery to function and is at the end of its life is considered WEEE. These items can be disposed of at any of 80 civic amenity sites nationwide, while customers can also take back old items to electrical retail shops when equivalent items are being purchased.

The figures show:

l Some 2.1 million large household appliances including fridges, washing machines and cookers have been recycled since August 2005.

l About 12 million small appliances were reprocessed, including kettles and toasters.

Paul Melia
Irish Independent

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