Ireland urged to tackle ‘invisible’ e-waste crisis revealed by UN study
The UN report exposes that Irish consumers generated a staggering 11 million kilograms of e-waste last year, equivalent to 25 million items containing valuable metals.
Irish households are being urged to address the growing electronic waste problem. A UN study revealed that Irish consumers generated 11 million kilograms of e-waste last year, equivalent to 25 million items laden with precious metals.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Ireland (WEEE Ireland) warns that 60% of these items never enter the recycling system, ending up in landfills and homes. WEEE Ireland stresses that valuable metals in these items may be lost forever without intervention.
Elizabeth O’Reilly, Head of Environmental Compliance and Membership at WEEE Ireland, calls on the public to extend their recycling efforts to these smaller electronic items, emphasizing that items with a plug, battery, or cable can be recycled at local sites.
Why does it matter?
The UN report emphasizes that this is not just an Irish issue but a global one. The 9 billion kilograms of small e-waste generated worldwide points to a systemic concern. It’s a challenge that extends beyond national borders and necessitates international cooperation and solutions.
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The GIP Digital Watch Observatory team, consisting of over 30 digital policy experts from around the world, excels in the fields of research and analysis on digital policy issues. The team is backed by the creative prowess of Creative Lab Diplo and the technical expertise of the Diplo tech team.