Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
What is WEEE?
WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. It includes any item that needs a plug, cable or battery to work. Examples of WEEE include televisions, computers, cookers, fridges, washing machines, mobile phones, cameras, toys, watches, cables and remote controls.
Why recycle electrical items?
Recycling electrical items helps recover valuable materials such as metals, plastics and glass, allowing them to be used again in new products and reducing the need for virgin raw materials.
Many electrical and electronic items also contain hazardous substances that can harm the environment and human health if they are disposed of incorrectly. Proper recycling helps protect our environment by keeping hazardous materials out of the soil, air and water.
In addition, many modern electrical items contain lithium-ion batteries. Many everyday items, including vapes, earbuds, headphones, power banks, remote controls, power tools and small kitchen appliances, contain lithium batteries. These items should never be placed in household bins, as damaged batteries can cause fires at waste and recycling facilities.
How to dispose of WEEE Items
Members of the public must not dispose of WEEE in the domestic bin. In Fingal, household WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) can be brought to either of the Fingal County Council recycling centres free of charge.
- Coolmine Recycling Centre
Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15
Eircode: D15 F7X9
Tel:(01) 890 5986
- Estuary Recycling Centre
Swords, beside Swords Business Park
Eircode: K67 V003
Tel:(01) 890 5985
Alternatively, you can return your old electrical items to a retailer for recycling free of charge. The take-back service operates on a like-for-like basis, meaning the item you return must be similar to, or perform the same function as, the new item you are purchasing. For example, you can return an old toaster when buying a new toaster, but not when purchasing a microwave.
The item should be returned to the retailer from whom you are buying the replacement product, regardless of where the old item was originally purchased.
When you buy a new electrical item, you have up to 15 days to return a similar old item. If your new appliance is being delivered to your home, you can also arrange for the old one to be collected at the same time. If you choose not to use this collection service, you can return the old item to the retailer's premises at a later date.
In addition, several electrical retailers participate in the We'll Take It Back Electrical Retailer Programme, allowing members of the public to recycle household electrical items free of charge and with no purchase necessary. These stores operate as convenient drop off points for unwanted electrical equipment and include all branches of Currys, DID Electrical, Expert, Euronics, Harvey Norman, Power City and Soundstore nationwide.
Find your nearest drop off point here: https://mywaste.ie/dispose-waste/at-home/where-you-can-take-your-recycling-waste/?category%5B%5D=free-electrical-recycling-drop-off-points&query=
What are the obligations for retailers of WEEE?
In accordance with the European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014 all retailers distributing electrical and electronic equipment need to ensure that they are registered annually with an approved registration body. ERP is the only available body in Fingal.
Retailers that sell electrical and electronic equipment have a number of responsibilities under the WEEE regulations. Some of these responsibilities include:
- Provide free take-back of WEEE from customers on a like-for-like basis when a new equivalent item is purchased.
- Larger stores (with more than 400m² dedicated to electrical and electronic equipment) must also accept small WEEE items without a purchase being made.
- Collect and store WEEE appropriately and not use civic amenity sites for retailer-collected WEEE.
- Ensure WEEE is transferred only to authorised collectors or approved compliance schemes.
- Display the required WEEE information notices for customers.
Further information for retailers can be found at: https://www.epa.ie/our-services/compliance--enforcement/waste/weee/legislation-for-weee/
Who is a producer of EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment)?
A WEEE producer is any business that first places electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) on the Irish market. This includes manufacturers, importers, own-brand sellers, and distance sellers. EEE includes products that require electricity, batteries, or a power supply to operate. The different types of producers are as follows:
- Manufacturer Producer – Manufactures and sells EEE under its own brand in Ireland.
- Importer Producer – Imports EEE into Ireland and places it on the market for the first time.
- Own-Brand / Private Label Producer – Sells EEE under its own brand name, regardless of who manufactured it.
- Distance Seller / Online Producer – Sells EEE directly to Irish customers through online or distance-selling channels.
- Exporter Producer – Exports EEE to another EU Member State for placement on that market and may have obligations in that Member State.
What are my responsibilities as a producer?
- Register annually with Producer Register Limited (PRL) – https://www.producerregister.ie/.
- Report the types and quantities of EEE placed on the Irish market.
- Finance the collection, treatment and recycling of WEEE.
- Join an approved compliance scheme where applicable (e.g. ERP Ireland).
- Provide take-back and recycling information to end users.
- Ensure correct product marking and regulatory compliance (e.g. crossed-out wheelie bin symbol, CE marking and RoHS compliance).
- Comply with any additional obligations applicable to distance sellers.
WEEE producers may be classified as B2C (Business-to-Consumer), B2B (Business-to-Business) or Dual Producers depending on the type of EEE they place on the market
Further information for producers can be found at:
https://www.epa.ie/our-services/compliance--enforcement/waste/weee/information-for-eee-producers/