Strong interest in WEEE recycling scheme


18 Jun 2007

Members of the public and volunteers gathered together in Dublin on Friday to unload and sort masses of old electrical equipment in a WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) Ireland recycling event hosted by Dell.

This day-long event, supported by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, gathered literally tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment from discarded computers to old fridges.

“There has been a fantastic response to the scheme and it is great to see so many people out here today doing their bit for the environment,” said Conor Leonard, collections officer, WEEE Ireland.

“By supporting the event we are creating awareness amongst members of the public of how easy it can be to recycle, ensuring a better environment for future generations.”

WEEE Ireland is a non-profit organisation, founded in 2004 by electrical and electronic producers including Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Dell and Siemens, with the aim of complying with an EU WEEE Directive.

As host of the event, Dell said it was committed to a strong environmental strategy through programmes like this and was pleased with the large public response.

Dell also has an online recyling scheme, whereby customers purchasing a new home or home office computer can recyle their old computer equipment for free or donate it to community or non-profit organisations for reuse.

Margaret Coles, green business officer with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said: “This initiative, which encourages people to dispose of their electronic waste in a responsible manner and reduces the amount of waste dumped illegally, is a welcome one.”

By Marie Boran