A REPORT entitled ‘Re-Evaluate: Re-use of Electrical and Electronic Equipment’ conducted by the University of Limerick has highlighted the potential for hundreds of jobs in a national refurbishment programme for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
Each year, Ireland recycles approximately 35,000 tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment which equates to about 7.5 kg for every person in the country. Currently none of this is refurbished or reused. Author of the report, Dr. Colin Fitzpatrick, University of Limerick, explains; “In addition to improved resource efficiency the development of a reuse sector is a significant growth opportunity for the social economy. If Ireland were to achieve overall WEEE reuse rates comparable with those where reuse is established such as Belgium at six per cent it would translate to employment creation of approximately 300 manufacturing jobs”.
The publication of this EPA-funded report, conducted by the University of Limerick in conjunction with Rehab Recycle and Clondalkin Community Recycling Initiative, coincides with the announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government of new regulations for the management of WEEE. For the first time, these regulations will permit organisations approved to be operating to international best practice to gain access to equipment suitable for reuse from established WEEE collection sites.
Rehab Recycle, in co-operation with WEEE Ireland has already commenced refurbishing a range of white goods at a dedicated facility in Ballymount, Dublin, initially employing six people. Richard Jordan, Rehab’s Director of Recycling, hopes to grow these numbers to 20 in the coming year as the flow of suitable material increases. The products, which have been refurbished according to international best practice, will soon be available from Rehab Recycle.
This new reuse program will support Ireland’s goal to meet targets set down by the EU as part of the WEEE Directive. By 2016 Ireland will have to achieve a combined recycling and reuse target of 65 per cent of all electrical and electronic products placed on the market, up from the previous target of 4kg per person per year.
Link to the report: http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/waste/strive110-re-evaluate-re-useofelectricalandelectronicequipment.html#.U5sXrZRdV8E
