NEWS
“Each one of those 93 million devices contains valuable materials like aluminium, copper, lithium and cobalt. We’re using these materials far faster than they can regenerate.”
Leo Donovan, CEO, WEEE Ireland.
WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IRELAND IS CALLING FOR A LEAP FORWARD IN ‘E-WASTE INTELLIGENCE’ AS CONSUMPTION REACHES RECORD LEVELS… Irish consumers purchase 93 million household electronic items Vapes and solar panels have driven a 75% surge in electrical device
dependence on imports leaves us dangerously exposed. We must reduce that risk by rethinking consumption, embracing circularity, and recovering more materials here at home.” The number of consumer electronics placed on the Irish market has tripled from 31 million in 2006 to 93 million in 2024. Vaping devices alone accounted for a third of all units sold last year. Even excluding vapes, consumption is still climbing, a challenge given that EU recycling targets are based on sales volumes, regardless of product life cycle or whether they can be reused. WEEE Ireland says this approach is fundamentally flawed. “We are penalised for selling long-life items like solar PV panels,” said Leo. “Over 2.5 million panels have entered the market in the last five years, but with warranties of 15 to 20 years, they won’t reach recycling centres for at least another decade.” Further distorting the picture is the untracked volume of online purchases from many overseas sellers, a gap recently acknowledged by the European Commission. New WEEE Ireland research also shows the proportion of households hoarding unused devices rose from 22% in 2023
to 29% in 2025, highlighting a massive untapped opportunity for reuse and repair. WEEE Ireland is taking the lead, working with manufacturers and retailers to scale up sustainable solutions. In 2024 alone, it collected 38,215 tonnes of e-waste, equating to 9.5kg per capita.
sales figures over the last five years, according to new data from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland. A total of 93 million household electronic items were purchased in 2024, almost three times the volume sold in 2006, says WEEE in its 2024 annual report published in June. The massive surge includes a reported 31 million vape and e-cigarette devices sold last year alone, and 2.5 million solar PV panels installed in the last five years. The country’s biggest e-waste recycling scheme is now calling for a national leap forward in ‘e-waste intelligence’ as consumption reaches record levels, putting pressure on Ireland’s ability to meet EU recycling targets. Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland, said, “Each one of those 93 million devices contains valuable materials like aluminium, copper, lithium and cobalt. We’re using these materials far faster than they can regenerate. Global demand is set to triple by 2050 - a trajectory that cannot be sustained. “With over 80% of the EU’s rare earths coming from China, Ireland’s
This included large household appliances which account for a
significant share of Ireland’s material recovery due to their size and resource content – almost 330,000 large household appliances, over 119,000 fridge freezers and 258,000 TVs and monitors. More than 1.1 million vape devices were also recovered and 16.2 million small appliances such as kettles, vacuums, tools and toys, along with 1.9 million lighting items and 72 million AA batteries-worth of portable batteries. With a 96% recovery rate, WEEE Ireland continues to exceed EU material recovery targets and reinforce Ireland’s standing as a circular economy leader. For further information on recycling centres, free public recycling collection days and electrical retailers offering a recycling service, visit www.weeeireland.ie
electex | dublin25 - register to attend www.bepex.ie
IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 73
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online