LIMERICK people are not setting the electrical recycling world alight, according to the latest Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland annual report.
Last year an average of 8.7kg in household e-waste was recycled per person in Limerick, less than the 9.5kg national average.
The country’s biggest e-waste recycling scheme is now calling for a national leap forward in “e-waste intelligence” with vapes and solar panels driving a 75 per cent surge in sales over the last five years.
“Limerick has an engaged public and a high-performing recycling network,” noted Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland.
“With increased investment in recycling centres, including longer opening hours, and strong leadership, we can set the benchmark for e-waste and circular economy solutions in Europe.”
A total of 93 million household electronic items were purchased in 2024, putting pressure on Ireland’s ability to meet EU recycling targets.
That is almost three times the volume sold in 2006, according to WEEE Ireland, with a reported 31 million vape and e-cigarette devices sold last year alone, and 2.5 million solar panels installed in the last five.
“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. Yet they still count toward our annual recycling target. That’s not circular thinking,” Mr Donovan said.
“We need to move beyond recycling alone. Extending the life of products through repair and reuse must become the norm,”
For a list of electronics which can be recycled for free, check weeeireland.ie.
