FAQs

Is it true that when I buy a new TV, the shop has to take back my old one free of charge?

Yes, but this is not just for TVs, it works for any electrical product from stereos to computers. But be warned, it is done on a 'like for like basis' so don't expect the shop to recycle your old fridge when you're only buying an electric toothbrush! Instead, bring this fridge to your local recycling centre.

Remember the 15 day rule! You have 15 days to bring back your WEEE to the shop after buying a new item. Bring your receipt as proof of purchase.

 

I have a lot of old batteries in my house, how do I go about getting them recycled?

You can return waste batteries to your local shop so long as it sells the same type of battery (E.g. your local newsagents will take any portable batteries like AA but not car batteries. Your local garage will take car batteries but not portable batteries) Unlike WEEE, with batteries you don't have to purchase anything in the shop to do this; you can just drop them in the WEEE Ireland battery boxes in the store.

Just be careful when bringing back portable batteries to bring back less than 5kgs at any one time, and don't return any leaking batteries because the chemicals in leaky batteries can be dangerous to your health and the shopkeepers.

You can also return your batteries to recycling centres and other collection points free of charge.

 

Who is this Sparky fellow?

Sparky is the WEEE Ireland mascot who spends most of his time recycling his and his friends' broken electronic bits and pieces. He's saving our planet one item at a time and you can too! Just fill a box with your broken electrical items and take them to your local recycling centre. You too can save the world!

 

 

 

Why am I being charged extra when I buy electrical goods? Is this a scam?

No, it's not a scam. Some electrical goods show a visible Producer Recycling Fund (PRF) contribution on their price ticket indicating the environmental management cost for recycling WEEE. Recycling old electrical items can be expensive and the PRF helps fund this process and ensures that these items are managed in an environmentally sound manner and are recycled at the end of their lives. See the attached Category Listing for more details.

 

Is there anything I have to do to prepare my WEEE for recycling?

Yes, in the case of fridges or freezers you must take out all the food and have them defrosted so that they don't make a mess and attract unwanted rodents during transport and recycling. With computers and other communication devices, don't forget to securely wipe the drives before recycling. With everything else, just make sure they are removed from their packaging, are as clean as possible and don't pose a health and safety risk to our friends at the recycling centres.

 

 

What about people who won't recycle their WEEE because they've heard it can be expensive and don't have much free time?

Remind these people that Recycling WEEE is Free. What's more, it's very easy to do! All you need to do is remember to return your old items when buying new ones or hold on to them until there's a lot to be recycled and then take a short trip to your local recycling centre where you can recycle the goods free of charge. Also keep an eye out for WEEE Irelands special recycling events in your area. Each one of us has a part to play in making sure our planet doesn't get destroyed unnecessarily so always remember to recycle WEEE and remind others to do it too!