North Donegal householders are being urged to bring their batteries, electrical and electronic waste to a set of free collection days to help the county meet national e-waste recycling targets for 2023.
The events, hosted by WEEE Ireland in partnership with Donegal County Council, kick off on Tuesday, April 4 at Dennis McCallion’s Yard, opposite Cassidy’s Quarry, Fanmore, Falcarragh, from 10am to 4pm.
On April 6, the collection event will take place at Carrigart Church car park, Umlagh, Carrigart, from 10am to 4pm and on April 11 at Nailor’s Row at Cockhill Road car park, Buncrana from 10am to 4pm.
There will also be an event in the south of the county at the Shore Road car park, Killybegs, on April 13 from 10am to 4pm.
All household items with a plug or a battery will be accepted free of charge, including old washing machines, TVs, toasters and kettles, electronic tools and toys, cables, IT equipment, mobile phones, remote controls, batteries, farm fence batteries and watches.
WEEE Ireland CEO, Leo Donovan said in Donegal and across Ireland we are buying more electrical goods than ever.
“The annual tonnage on the market rose significantly from 15kg a head in 2016 to 23kg a head in 2022,” he said.
Leo continued to say shopping stats during the pandemic showed a surge in spend on new electrical devices like mobile phones, computers, small kitchen appliances and white goods.
“With old items still lying around many households we want to offer the opportunity to recycle these for free.
“People in Donegal have contributed greatly to e-waste recycling every year, and we want to encourage that trend,” he said.
82 per cent of all material collected is used again in manufacturing through both indigenous operators and specialist processors in Europe.
With most end-of-life products containing metals and minerals in higher concentrations than primary resources, recycling efforts can have a significant impact on the environment.
In 2021, the equivalent of 231,179 tonnes of CO2 emissions were avoided by recycling e-waste through the WEEE Ireland Scheme as opposed to landfilling.
That is the equivalent of the annual carbon consumption of 4,624 hectares of trees.
WEEE Ireland accounts for over two thirds of all national waste electrical and electronics collection activity on behalf of 1,300 producer members.
These free events are in partnership with Donegal County Council.
Donegal County Council’s, Suzanne Brogan said recycling e-waste is incredibly beneficial for both the environment and the economy.
“Together, we are diverting waste from landfill, recovering raw materials for reuse and ensuring hazardous materials are safely and responsibly disposed of.
“We look forward to working with WEEE Ireland and Donegal householders to hopefully recycle a record-breaking amount of electronic waste in 2023,” she said.
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