Recycling Agency Now Profitable Export Business | The Irish Times
Established in 2005 to collect electronic goods such as televisions and laundry machines, the Republic of Ireland’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) organization has flourished into a profitable exporting business thanks in large part to the high rate of participation among residents.
Whereas the average annual collection recovery rate across the European Union is about 4 kilograms per person, Ireland’s residents recycle 9 kilograms on average.
The scope of products collected in Ireland is wide, including larger appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers, in addition to the computers, television, and mobile electronics that are more common among stewardship programs. According to Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland, approximately 75% of the material collected is exported and sold as raw material on international markets, creating a value of about €3 million per year as well as creating jobs in recovery and processing.
