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In the five years since electrical and battery recycling
began, Ireland has become one of the EU’s top electronic recycling
nations.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) scheme
began in 2005 and, to-date, Ireland has recycled 33 million
appliances, with WEEE Ireland collecting enough TVs and monitors
to go around the M50 14 times.
Since the scheme began, the equivalent of more than seven
pieces of WEEE in Ireland have been collected for every man,
woman and child in the country.
A WEEE
Ireland spokesman last week said that Ireland’s efforts
should not be downplayed. "In five years, the weight of small
appliances collected by WEEE Ireland is equal to over six
times the weight of structural metal used in the construction
of the Aviva Stadium.
"We have collected enough large household appliances
and fridge freezers to fill Croke Park 41 times over," he
said.
To mark reaching this achievement, WEEE Ireland held two
free collection days last week - one in the grounds of Irish
Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham, Dublin and one at The
Mart Yard, Fermoy, in Cork.
Some of the waste collected in Dublin is to be re-used in
an art installation project.
Leo Donovan, chief executive of WEEE Ireland, said - "Everyone
at WEEE Ireland would like to take the opportunity to say
a huge 'thank you' to the people of Ireland, who have helped
us to reach this milestone.
"In the past five years, Ireland has become one of the
leading recycling nations in Europe and an example of best
practice in how recycling can become a way of life and bring
us towards a more sustainable future for the country."
Consumers pay a fee when they buy equipment - ranging from
€2 for a small TV, €5 for a washing machine and up to €30
for a large fridge/freezer. All monies raised go towards recycling
initiatives.
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