THE RATE AT which we’re purchasing small and large electrical items is reaching record levels, meaning that as a nation, we’re producing more ‘e-waste’ than ever (that’s waste electronic and electrical items, batteries and lighting, also known as ‘WEEE’) .

Recent figures from WEEE Ireland show that the annual amount of electrical goods bought or consumed per person in Ireland has risen by 40% in four years, from 15kg to 21kg. Electrical items contain a large variety of materials and resources which can be used again in manufacturing, when properly recovered through recycling.

But many of us tend to delay or forget recycling these kinds of items when they’ve reached the end of their life and are about to be replaced. The items end up in our household rubbish bin, or in a skip during a clear-out, without us giving much thought to the damage this can do to our environment. If e-waste is binned, all of its valuable materials end up in landfill sites and are lost forever.

Some 11% of materials we put in our household bins – like e-waste, glass and textiles – don’t belong there at all. That’s according to the 2018 results of the EPA Waste Characterisation Study. In fact, the amount of e-waste incorrectly disposed of in household rubbish bins is more than double what it was a decade ago.

You can do your bit for the future of the planet by taking waste electrical goods, batteries and lighting along to your nearest participating electrical retailer or local authority recycling centre. You’ll find a map of free e-waste dropoff points here.

So are you an e-waste recycling pro, or do you have more to learn? Take this quiz to test your knowledge…

1. Let's start with the basics. What is 'e-waste', exactly?

Naoise Culhane

Environmental waste

Electronic, battery and lighting waste

Earth waste

2. Which of these would be considered e-waste?

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These old clothes

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These empty wine bottles

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These vegetable peelings

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This toaster, broken beyond repair

3. How much does it cost to recycle your e-waste at a recycling centre or participating electrical retailer?

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It's free

Depends on the weight

Depends on the age of the item

4. Let's talk specifics. How would you dispose of a kettle that has given up the ghost?

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I'd put it in my general household waste bin

I'd bring it to a free WEEE recycling drop-off point

5. What about this old electric radiator?

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I'd put it in my general household waste bin

I'd bring it to a free WEEE recycling drop-off point

6. And on average, how many kilos of electrical items does each one of us buy or consume in Ireland per year?

Naoise Culhane

15kg

21kg

32kg

7. Now, a few more e-waste recycling scenarios to finish with. How would you dispose of this spent energy saver lightbulb?

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I'd put it in my general household waste bin

I'd bring it to a free WEEE recycling drop-off point

8. What about this video game controller that's broken beyond repair?

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I'd put it in my general household waste bin

I'd bring it to a free WEEE recycling drop-off point

9. Almost there. What's the best place for these used batteries?

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The general household waste bin

A free WEEE recycling drop-off point

10. And finally, how would you dispose of this microwave that can't be fixed?

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I'd put it in my general household waste bin

I'd bring it to a free WEEE recycling drop-off point

Answer all the questions to see your result!

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You scored out of !

Looks like you have some more to learn!

It might be time to brush up on your e-waste recycling knowledge. Start by making sure you know exactly where and how to recycle waste electrical items, batteries and lighting equipment. Read on for more information...

Share your result:

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You scored out of !

Well done - but looks like you still have more to learn!

It might be time to brush up on your e-waste recycling knowledge. Start by making sure you know exactly where and how to recycle waste electrical items, batteries and lighting equipment. Read on for more information...

Share your result:

Share Tweet

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You scored out of !

Your recycling knowledge is pretty good!

Great work, but there's always more to learn. Keep your knowledge in good check by making sure you know exactly where and how to recycle waste electrical items, batteries and lighting equipment. Read on for more information...

Share your result:

Share Tweet

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You scored out of !

Top marks - you're a recycling superstar!

Great work. Keep your knowledge in good check by making sure you know exactly where and how to recycle waste electrical items, batteries and lighting equipment. Read on for more information...

Share your result:

Share Tweet

WEEE Ireland is urging people to help tackle climate change by bringing – and not binning – waste electricals, batteries and bulbs. Bring them to your nearest local authority recycling centre or participating electrical retailer for free recycling. A list of hundreds of free drop-off points around the country can be found here.