ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 63 LI nE dDuVsAt rNy CNE e w s Half of consumers in Ireland don’t realise the materials in their old electrical and electronic appliances contain critical raw materials essential for the manufacture of new technology and renewable energy sources. The data by Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland shows that while 8 in 10 of adults say they recycle their e-waste to help the environment, only 5 in 10 recognise that it is essential that we in Europe recover the critical raw materials inside old devices. That figure rises to 6 in 10 among 18-24-year-olds, the highest of any age group, indicating that while younger generations care deeply about environmental issues, they may not connect recycling with resource recovery and the development on new renewable energy, digital and defence technologies. Half of consumers in Ireland don’t realise the materials in their old electrical and electronic appliances contain critical raw materials essential for the manufacture of new technology and renewable energy sources. International E-Waste Day 2025 - Resource Awareness Not-for-profit organisation WEEE Ireland says it is a major blind spot that could be costing Ireland valuable critical raw materials needed for a greener future.It released the data to coincide with today’s (Oct 14) International E-Waste Day, with European statistics warning that the continent’s e-waste mountain now hides one million tonnes of critical raw materials (CRMs) every year, including aluminium, copper, lithium and nickel. “Most Irish adults recycle their old electronics because they care about the planet – but few realise just how important it is for us to recover the critical raw materials form those discarded devices ,” said Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland. “Every old and broken phone, hairdryer or game controller tucked away at home contains critical raw materials that the EU desperately needs to be less reliant on China. “Europe’s e-waste is now being called the new oil, and Ireland’s contribution to that well of resources can either sit gathering dust or be mined responsibly for a circular future. “We’re urging everyone – if it’s old, broken or now obsolete recycle it.” WEEE Ireland’s research, conducted by Empathy, also found that almost 1 in 3 people keep unused tech as a “backup”, leaving a hidden hoard of critical raw materials gathering dust in homes across Ireland. Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland. EIFI Electrical Industry Awards 2025 - continued from page 10 (Below) Marty Morrissey - (Right) Mark Keogh.
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