Offaly householders urged to avail of free e-waste event

Offaly householders are being urged to bring their batteries, electrical, and electronic waste to a set of 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, take place on Tuesday, May 6, from 10am to 4pm at the Clodiagh Gaels GAA Club in Killeigh, Tullamore, and on Thursday, May 8, from 10am to 4pm in Shannonbridge GAA Club on Rackragh Park, Lecarrow.

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 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 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.”