Research found one in eight people is putting unwanted items like earbuds and smart watches in household bins
One in eight people in Ireland continues to dump small electrical items in household bins, research shows.
The rate for the improper disposal of the products, which has serious environmental and public health risks, almost doubles among younger age groups.
One in four 18 to 24-year-olds and one in five aged 35-44 get rid of common household electrical items such as smart watches, earbuds and bluetooth speakers in general waste bins.
Laptops, mobile phones, gaming devices, power tools and e-cigarettes are also being tossed in alongside other waste, meaning they can never be re-used or recycled, the Empathy Research data for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland reveals.
The proliferation of products powered by lithium batteries heightens these dangers, increasing fire safety risks for household waste collection firms.
In the past five years, WEEE Ireland reported a 100pc increase in lithium battery-powered small electricals coming back for recycling.
WEEE Ireland chief executive Leo Donovan said: “For those that recycle their e-waste, our survey shows 75pc do so due to its positive impact on the environment, with over 50pc citing concerns over the hazardous components present in some of these devices.
“Despite this awareness, a significant number still opt to dispose of their waste electricals improperly, particularly when it involves smaller devices.
“Ireland’s impressive record for recycling larger household electrics needs to be matched when it comes to small electricals to ensure the safe and efficient recovery and reuse of materials they contain.
“Recycling these items is both free and straightforward as they can be dropped off at numerous, authorised recycling centres and public collection days across Ireland.”
The low recycling rates for small electrics are echoed in global statistics, with the recent Global E-Waste Monitor revealing less than one quarter (22.3pc) of e-waste was properly recycled in 2022, falling sharply to 12pc for small devices.
In addition, a recent Environmental Protection Agency study in Ireland revealed more than two-thirds of recyclable waste, including valuable electronic components, are wrongly discarded in general household and commercial bins.
Mr Donovan said there is an urgent need to meet forthcoming EU targets and secure sustainable sources of raw materials.
“The demand for critical raw materials contained in electrical devices is expected to skyrocket,” he said.
“The EU’s aim to ensure that by 2030, at least 30pc of critical raw materials consumed annually originate from European recycled sources underscores the imperative for swift and decisive action.
“Failure to address these pressing challenges not only risks our environmental and public health but also undermines our collective aspirations for a greener, more sustainable future.”
The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA), whose members collect 95% of household waste in Ireland, echoed these concerns, highlighting the increased fire safety risks posed by lithium batteries in e-waste.
“If electronic waste containing batteries is placed in any of the household bins, it can become an ignition source for fires,” said IWMA secretary Conor Walsh.
“That poses a risk to life as well as a threat of environmental pollution, so we ask people to always keep electronic waste out of their household bins.”
Details of hundreds of local recycling centres, public collection days and participating retailers for all sizes and types of waste electrical, battery and lighting can be found at weeeireland.ie.
(Source – Irish Independent – Environment – Cillian Sherlock – 28/04/2024)
Half Of Public Admit They Don’t Recycle Their Waste Properly
Ireland’s poor recycling habits are revealed in a survey that shows only half of people are doing it right.
Just 52pc of people questioned said they always separated their general waste and recyclables into the correct bins at home.
The rest admitted taking a more lax approach – meaning hundreds of thousands of tonnes of recyclables could be contaminated and rendered useless every year.
Only 50pc said they checked if a container or other packaging could be recycled when they went to dispose of it.
Just 11pc said they checked for a recycling symbol when they purchased an item.
The survey found 41pc wrongly believed minor waste mix-ups would not affect the overall recycling process.
Only 34pc said they were fully confident that they knew how to recycle correctly and just 33pc said they found it straightforward.
The survey was conducted for Repak, the country’s main recycling body, in advance of Earth Day, which is marked today.
Repak chief executive Zoe Kavanagh said the findings were a concern.
“We’re at a critical point when it comes to our recycling habits,” she said. “The research shows there’s a gap in our recycling knowledge, and a misunderstanding of how the smallest mistakes can have big impacts when it comes to the recycling process.”
Ireland is set to miss an EU target to recycle 50pc of all plastic packaging by next year.
Currently, around 70pc ends up being incinerated.
It is not just about targets – manufacturing containers and packaging is a constant drain on natural resources and energy, and keeps fossil fuels flowing for plastic production.
Recycling at least reduces some of that waste.
Householders are not alone to blame – many commercial premises are failing to separate and sort their waste too.
“If all consumers and businesses made a concerted effort to separate their packaging and ensure it is clean, dry and loose when recycled, we would make pivotal steps towards meeting EU targets and fostering a sustainable environment,” Repak said.
“By empowering more people with the knowledge and promoting responsible recycling practices, Ireland can work towards a greener, more sustainable future.”
Barriers to recycling remain, however. Many apartment dwellers do not have easy access to recycling bins, and recycling containers on the move is also challenging.
Just 28pc of people said they always separated their recycling to put in the correct bin when out and about.
(Source – Irish Independent – Environment – Caroline O Doherty – 22/04/2024)