Concerning study results about wrong e-waste disposal in Mayo

Recycling survey reveals alarming e-waste disposal trends in Mayo. One in eight people in Mayo continues to dump small electrical items in household bins, new research shows today. And this figure almost doubles among younger age groups, which are perceived as more environmentally conscious.

Oblivious to the serious environmental and public health risks posed by improper disposal, one in four 18-24-year-olds and one in five aged 35-44 get rid of common household electrical items such as smart watches, earbuds and blue tooth speakers in general waste bins.

Laptops, mobile phones, gaming devices, power tools and e-cigarettes are also being tossed in alongside other waste, meaning they can never be re-used or recycled. The survey was conducted by Empathy Research on behalf of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland.

The proliferation of products powered by lithium batteries heightens these dangers, increasing fire safety risks for household waste collection companies. 

Despite a general awareness, "a significant number still opt to dispose of their waste electricals improperly, particularly when it involves smaller devices" which is incomprehensible as “recycling these items is both free and straightforward, as they can be dropped off at numerous, authorised recycling centres and public collection days across Ireland.” 

Details of hundreds of local recycling centres, public collection days and participating retailers for all sizes and types of waste electrical, battery and lighting  can be found on weeeireland.ie.