Report finds Leitrim is country's worst performing county for recycling
The figures indicate that Leitrim is the worst performing county in Ireland, according to the latest Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland annual report.
The country's biggest e-waste recycling scheme is now calling for a national leap forward in "e-waste intelligence" as electrical device consumption reaches record levels - with vapes and solar panels driving a 75pc surge in sales over the last five years.
A total of 93 million household electronic items were purchased nationally in 2024, putting pressure on Ireland's ability to meet EU recycling targets which are based on sales volumes, regardless of product life cycle or whether they can be reused.
This is almost three times the volume sold in 2006, according to WEEE Ireland, with a reported 31 million vape and e-cigarette devices sold last year alone, and 2.5 million solar PV panels installed in the last five years.
This month, the Government allocated €27 million from the Circular Economy Fund to support further progress, and WEEE Ireland is pushing for an ambitious roadmap forward.
Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland said Leitrim has an engaged public and a high-performing recycling network.
'With increased investment in recycling centres, including longer opening hours, and strong leadership, we can set the benchmark for e-waste and circular economy solutions in Europe' said Mr Donovan.
WEEE Ireland is taking the lead, working with manufacturers and retailers to scale up sustainable solutions.
In 2024 alone, it collected 38,215 tonnes of e-waste, equating to 9.5kg per capita.
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This included large household appliances which account for a significant share of Ireland's material recovery due to their size and resource content – almost 330,000 large household appliances, over 119,000 fridge freezers and 258,000 TVs and monitors.
More than 1.1 million vape devices were also recovered, despite being notoriously difficult to capture due to disposal habits, with many ending up in waste bins. WEEE Ireland says it continues to work with retailers and regulators to design more effective solutions for this new category of waste.
16.2 million small appliances - such as kettles, vacuums , tools, and toys - along with 1.9 million lighting items and 72 million AA batteries worth of portable batteries were also collected.
With a 96pc recovery rate, WEEE Ireland continues to exceed EU material recovery targets and reinforce Ireland's standing as a circular economy leaders.
Consumers can recycle their electronics for free at participating retailers or recycling centres. Check weeeireland.ie for these as well as its many free public recycling collection days across the country.
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