Recycling WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) and waste batteries reduces our dependence on depleting natural resources as these items contain metals, plastics and even glass that can be used again if recovered properly through an approved recycling scheme WEEE Ireland. Recycling is an important part of creating a sustainable world as it benefits society, the environment and makes economic sense by creating jobs. Before the WEEE Regulations 2005 much of the WEEE in Ireland ended up in landfills.
Over the last 10 years, the amount of WEEE in Europe has grown at a staggering pace with consumers using more and more electronics in their day-to-day lives. WEEE Ireland has collected over 6,400 Tonnes of electrical equipment from special events since 2007 – almost the same weight as the Eiffel Tower!!
When not disposed of properly, WEEE can be very harmful to human health. For example, TVs can contain lead which can be toxic to kidneys and nervous and reproductive systems, and could inhibit the mental development of young children and foetuses if people are exposed to them after they have been improperly disposed of.
Even items as small as batteries can be dangerous if not disposed of correctly. Some batteries contain potentially hazardous materials that, if not properly disposed of could seriously damage both the environment and human health through leakage.
Such electrical items as Fridges and Freezers contain many gases such as CFC, HCFC and HFC that can be extremely harmful to the planet. Recycling your old fridge, freezer etc is one way of contributing to the fight against climate change as it helps to stop the emission of these greenhouse gases that damage the O-Zone Layer and encourage global warming.
What's more, the amount of room left in landfills across Ireland is steadily decreasing. There simply isn't room for electrical items to be thrown into them anymore. That’s why we say Recycle for Good!
