IBEC welcomes increase in WEEE recycling
Employers' group IBEC today welcomed the statement from the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government showing a five-fold increase in electrical recycling since the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) scheme came into force August in 2005.
“Two million items were collected and recycled between August 2005 and May 2006 by the two authorised producer compliance schemes, WEEE Ireland and ERP Ireland,” said Donal Buckley, head of IBEC Environment Unit. “This is the equivalent of five kettles for every man, woman and child in the country.
“Current recycling rates of old electrical items (on a per capita basis in Ireland) is 6.7 kg – well in excess of the 4kg target set by the EU in the WEEE Directive, but below the 15kg - 25kg produced by each person annually.”
Mr Buckley also welcomed the increase in indigenous employment associated with the legislation.
“Over 200 new direct jobs have been created by the implementation of this directive and many more indirectly,” he said.
“The establishment of recycling facilities in Ireland is very encouraging and shows that business has capitalised on the commercial opportunities the collection of WEEE presents.”
