Limerick householders invited to free waste collection day

HOUSEHOLDERS in Limerick are being urged to bring their batteries, electrical, and electronic waste to a free collection day to help the county meet national e-waste recycling targets for 2025.

Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled for free on the day, including old washing machines, TVs, toasters and kettles, electronic tools and toys, cables, IT equipment, mobile phones, remote controls, batteries, including farm fence batteries, and even watches. 

The series of events, hosted by Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland, kick off on Saturday April 5 from 10am-4pm at Castletroy College, Newtown, Castletroy, then on Saturday April 12 from 10am-4pm at LEDP Campus, Roxboro Road, Limerick City, on Tuesday April 15, a collection will take place at the Tesco Superstore, Coonagh Cross, Ennis Road, Clondrinagh from 10am-4pm, and lastly on Thursday April 17 at GVM Mart, Coolaboy, Dromcollogher from 10am-4pm.

“In Limerick, and across Ireland, we are buying more electrical goods than ever – with people purchasing an average 23kg per head in 2024, compared to the pre-Covid average of 16kgs in 2019,” said WEEE Ireland CEO Leo Donovan.  

“Shopping stats show a surge in spend on new electrical devices like mobile phones, computers, small kitchen appliances and white goods.  

“With old items still lying around many households we want to offer the opportunity to recycle these for free. 

“People in Limerick have contributed greatly to e-waste recycling every year. The most recent data available shows that 935 tonnes of electrical waste was collected in the county between July and December 2023 by WEEE Ireland, and we want to encourage that trend.”  

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WEEE Ireland warns that the nation needs to meet new forthcoming EU targets to recycle at least 25% of our annual consumption of critical raw materials from e-waste.  

In 2023, the equivalent of 222,852 tonnes of CO2 emissions were avoided by recycling e-waste through the WEEE Ireland Scheme as opposed to landfilling. That is the equivalent of the annual carbon consumption of 4,457 hectares of trees.  

WEEE Ireland accounts for over two thirds of all national waste electrical and electronics collection activity on behalf of 1,355 producer members.  

“We look forward to working with Limerick householders to hopefully recycle a record-breaking amount of electronic waste in 2025.” said Mr. Donovan.