Free e-waste and battery recycling days to be held in Clara and Banagher
Offaly householders are being urged to bring their batteries, electrical, and electronic waste to two upcoming free collection days to help the county meet national e-waste recycling targets for 2025.
The events, hosted by WEEE Ireland in partnership with Offaly County Council, kick off on Saturday, January 25, from 10am to 4pm at the Clara GAA Club on the Kilbeggan Road.
On Saturday, February 1, a collection will take place at the West End car park, in Banagher, also from 10am to 4pm.
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.
"In Offaly, and across Ireland, we are buying more electrical goods than ever – with people purchasing an average 22kg per head in 2023 compared to 16kgs just six years ago," stated 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 Offaly have contributed greatly to e-waste recycling every year, with 657 tonnes of electrical waste collected in the county in 2023, and we want to encourage that trend."
A statement issued on behalf of WEEE Ireland said 7.9kg of e-waste was recycled per person in Offaly in 2023, which was below the national average of 10.33kg per person that same year.
WEEE Ireland accounts for over two thirds of all national waste electrical and electronics collection activity on behalf of 1,355 producer members.
The upcoming free events in Clara and Banagher are in partnership with Offaly County Council.
"Recycling e-waste is incredibly beneficial for both the environment and the economy," said Mr Donovan.
"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 Offaly householders to hopefully recycle a record-breaking amount of electronic waste in 2025."
There are a number of recycling operators certified to the WEEELABEX standard on the Island of Ireland, including KMK Metals Recycling in Tullamore.