Free e-waste and battery recycling events to be held across Waterford

Waterford householders are being urged to bring their batteries, electrical, and electronic waste to a set of free collection days next week to help the county meet national e-waste recycling targets for 2023.

The events, hosted by WEEE Ireland in partnership with Waterford County Council, kick off next Tuesday at the Rainbow Community Centre, Fairgreen, Kilmacthomas, from 10am-1pm, before moving to the Old Lismore Recycling Centre, Townspark East, Lismore, from 4pm-7pm the same day.

The collection will take place next Thursday at the Gaultier GAA Club, Dunmore Road, Ballymabin from 10am-1pm, and from 4pm-7pm at the Portlaw GAA Club, Mayfield, Carrick Road, Portlaw.

Finally a collection will take place at the Tesco Car Park, Tramore Retail Park, Ballycarnane from 10am-4pm next Saturday.

All household items with a plug or a battery will be accepted free of charge, 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.

These free events are in partnership with Waterford County Council.

"Recycling e-waste is incredibly beneficial for both the environment and the economy," said Ella Ryan at Waterford County Council.

"Together, we are diverting waste from landfill, recovering raw materials for reuse and ensuring hazardous materials are safely and responsibly disposed of. We look forward to working with WEEE Ireland and Waterford householders to hopefully recycle a record-breaking amount of electronic waste in 2023."

7.95kg of e-waste was recycled per person in Waterford last year – falling short of the national average of 10.03kg per person.

"In Waterford, and across Ireland, we are buying more electrical goods than ever – with people purchasing an average 25kg per head in 2022 compared to 22kg in 2021,"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 Waterford have contributed greatly to e-waste recycling every year, with 1,010 tonnes of electrical waste collected in the county in 2022, and we want to encourage that trend."