The figures from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) show that recycling rates are stubbornly low.
As households replace old devices with new Christmas gifts received, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland is urging people to recycle used batteries and unwanted small electrical items, rather than storing them away or binning them.
WEEE are planning to deliver one million blue battery recycling boxes to homes nationwide during January, which can be returned for free at participating retailers or local recycling centres.
Chief executive of WEEE, Leo Donovan has encouraged households to recycle any of their battery waste, particularly at this time of year, with their figures showing that almost half of all household battery purchases are made during the Christmas shopping period
“As decorations have been stored away for another year and space is made for new gifts, now is the ideal time to carry out a battery and e-waste clear-out,” Mr Donovan said.
Junior Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Alan Dillon TD and Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland. Photo: Paul Moore
Recycling rates for electronic toys such as gaming consoles, e-scooters and battery-operated action figures, have dropped to just 10pc and WEEE is urging people to recycle used batteries and unwanted small electrical items, rather than storing them away or binning them.
“As well as providing a handy QR code that connects you to a map of hundreds of local drop off points, our blue battery boxes are a simple but powerful reminder that batteries should never go in household bins,” he added.
Junior Minister for climate, energy and the environment, Alan Dillon, has said that when we dispose batteries incorrectly, “we risk fires and environmental pollution”.
“It’s free, safe, and it protects our environment. Together, we can keep dangerous chemicals out of landfill and rare materials in circulation,” Mr Dillon said.
“Every home in Ireland can make a difference. Batteries don’t belong in the bin – they belong in recycling,” he added.
A new Light Means of Transport (LMT) lithium battery guide has also been added to the WEEE Ireland website to support consumers on the safe recycling of higher-capacity batteries such as those found in e-bikes, e-scooters, e-mobility and power packs.
More information on WEEE Ireland’s network of free collection points across local authority civic amenity centres and retailers is available at weeeireland.ie