Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

What is WEEE?

Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is basically any type of appliance or device that requires either electrical or battery power in order to operate, and whose owner wishes to dispose of as waste. In addition to larger household items such as televisions, computers, cookers, fridges and washing machines, it also includes smaller personal items such as cameras, toys, watches, and mobile phones.

 

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.

You may also bring small electrical items (measuring 25cm or less) to larger electrical retailers (with more than 400m² dedicated to electrical and electronic equipment) for recycling free of charge, even if you are not buying a new item.

Further information on WEEE can be found at https://www.weeeireland.ie/

 

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.

ERP http://www.erp-recycling.ie/ 

Retailers that sell electrical and electronic equipment have a number of responsibilities under the WEEE regulations. They must:

  • 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/ 

https://www.weeeireland.ie/producers/obligations-regulations/