Ensuring the Environmentally Sound Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) including Batteries in Ireland

Recycle all Waste Electrical Equipment and Batteries in a responsible manner.

WEEE Directives Regulations

The Government has passed legislation to give effect to an EU Directives regarding recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This Directive requires producers to be responsible for the financing of the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), including batteries, the result of this Directive will mean that the producer will be required to fund recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Ireland.

Unfortunately here in Ireland, we have had a particular problem with fridges and cookers and other appliances being dumped on the roadsides, this is also a problem in the country roads surrounding Newbridge. In addition those who dispose of batteries in their Black Bin (general landfill waste bin), are causing significant damage to their environment – remember waste batteries can contain such chemicals as Mercury, Cadmium, and Lead which highlights the importance of NOT PUTTING THEM IN TH BIN, but segregating them for recycling in an environmentally friendly manner.

The primary effect of this Directive is that the final users of household WEEE will be entitled to return electrical and electronic waste free of charge back either to retail outlets in instances where a replacement item is purchased, or other authorised collection points, including Local Authority Civic Amenity Sites

Kildare County Council provide two Civic Amenity Sites (CAS)

Silliot Hill CAS, Kilcullen, Co Kildare
Public Opening Hours: 8am to 4pm Monday to Saturday Closed 1pm to 2pm

Athy CAS, Gallows Hill, Athy, Co Kildare
Public Opening Hours: 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday Closed 1pm to 2pm


The WEEE Directive is good for YOU , good for our ENVIRONMENT , and good for the RETAILER.

Because many waste electrical and electronic equipment contain hazardous materials which pose a threat to our environmental and human health, householders are no longer permitted to place waste electrical and electronic equipment in a household bin . All Electrical Electronic Equipment being put on the market in the European Union must be marked with a crossed out wheeled bin.

This waste needs to be correctly sorted, de-contaminated, disassembled and stored. As disposal of WEEE is now free for members of the public at every local authority Civic Amenity Site, we can help ensure this hazardous waste is sent for re-use or recycling. Local Authorities can no longer charge gate fees for WEEE.

How does WEEE work?

When you buy a new electric or electronic item, you will pay a small Environmental Management Cost (EMC’s), shown separately on your invoice / receipt as “Producer Recycling Fund”. This charge is designed to pay for the disposal of your newly bought item when it becomes obsolete or needs to be replaced. The Irish WEEE Regulations require that the price of any item of electrical and electronic equipment quoted either verbally or in writing must be inclusive of the visible Environmental Management Cost. The price you see must be no more than the price you pay.

The Retailer will provide for free of charge in-store take back of household WEEE on a one-for-one basis on the sale of a new like product: the returned goods must be of a similar type or have performed the same function as the new item you have purchased. (I.e. Toaster for Toaster, Fridge for Fridge, Television for Television etc). Retailers cannot offer inducements in lieu of their take-back obligations, however they can make alternative arrangements to fulfil the one-for-one obligation, but only by prior agreement with their Local Authority, and on condition that any such arrangements are made known to the customer and must not be more inconvenient for the customer.

Where a new appliance or equipment is being delivered, for example a new cooker, the retailer must take back the old appliance, in this case a cooker. They can take back the old appliance when they deliver your new one, (the old appliance must be cleaned and disconnected from any utilities and ready for collection), However if the customer is not in a position to exchange any item of WEEE at the time of purchasing a new product, they may return the obsolete item within 15 days of the date of sale or if delivered within 30 days of the date of delivery. If the Retailer has made an alternative arrangement with the local authority in regard to this issue, the customer must be informed of the alternative collection facility. Whichever take-back option a consumer avails of must be free of charge .

The Retailer must ensure that all WEEE collected is delivered to an approved collection facility, WEEE is by definition waste, so there are certain minimum requirements associated with how it is collected, stored and disposed of. For example if the WEEE is contaminated, there may be a health and safety risk, where specific storage and transport regulations would apply.

Batteries can be recycled very easily now that the WEEE directive has been extended to cover such items. If the waste batteries can be safely removed from an appliance per its instructions for use then you could remove the battery, and have the battery recycled by depositing it in the collection box which should be available at any retailer who engages in the sale of batteries. However if the battery cannot be safely removed or if you are in doubt, leave them in the appliance and return the appliance to an authorised collection point, where the batteries will be removed during the recycling process. There are Battery Recycling facilities at the County Library, and in many of our Schools.

Batteries can be deposited at the designated collection point FREE OF CHARGE, and there is NO OBLIGATION on the customer to purchase new batteries from any particular retailer. However be fair, and do not deposit any leaking batteries in the collection points as these will pose a safety hazard to employees handling the collection containers. For advice on disposal of leaking or damaged batteries contact your local Civic Amenity Site.


Caution please ensures that all personal information is wiped from Computers, laptops, mobile phones, and other communication devices PRIOR to sending them for recycling.


Is there anything I can’t recycle as part of the WEEE Directive?

Yes there are some items which are outside the regulations:

A retailer will not be required to take-backcontaminated WEEE that presents a health and safety risk unless such contamination is on account of his or her liability under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 (or as amended). Contaminated WEEE can pose a Health & Safety risk to employees & customers therefore it is in everybody’s interest that contaminated WEEE is not returned to the retailer. For advice on disposal of contaminated electrical equipment please contact your local Civic Amenity Site.


Who gets you’re the levy you pay the “Environmental Management Charge”

In Ireland the recycling system is handled by WEEE Ireland and the European Recycling Platform. These companies are financed through the system of Environmental Management Costs which are used to fund the operations of the two approved producer compliance schemes which were set up by the electrical and electronics industry. These companies operate on a not-for-profit basis.

What if a Retailer declines to take back WEEE?

If your retailer does not take back WEEE, you should contact the Environment Section of the local authority where the retailer is based.

For Further Information:

Kildare County Council - Environment Section, Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park Naas. Tel.: 045 980 588 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              045 980 588      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Web: www.kildare.ie/countycouncil
Email: Kildare County Council - Environment Section

WEEE Ireland (National Compliance Scheme for Electrical Recycling) www.weeeireland.ie

WEEE & Battery Register Society (Ireland) www.weeeregister.ie

Environment Protection Agency www.epa.ie

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