Free e-waste and battery recycling events throughout Mayo
Mayo householders are being urged to bring their batteries, electrical and electronic waste to a set of free collection days to help the county meet national e-waste recycling targets for 2024.
Hosted by WEEE Ireland in partnership with Mayo County Council, collection events in south Mayo will commence on Thursday, June 27, at the Davitts GAA Club grounds on Claremorris Road, Ballindine, from 4 to 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, July 2, a collection will take place at the Tesco car park in Ballinrobe from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. before moving to the community centre car park in Kilmaine from 4 to 7 p.m. that same day.
Before that, there are collections in north Mayo today (Tuesday, June 18) at the Centra car park on Main Street, Crossmolina (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), before moving to Bonniconlon GAA Club, Bonniconlon, this evening (4 to 7 p.m.). Another north Mayo collection will take place on Thursday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Humbert Street car park in Ballina.
That same day, a collection is taking place beside Dey's Shop, Ballyvary, from 4 to 7 p.m., and on Tuesday, June 25, a collection will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club before moving to Kiltimagh GAA Club from 4 to 7 p.m. the same day.
Finally, a collection will also take place in the west car park, Knock, on Thursday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. before moving on to Ballindine later in the day (see above).
Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled for free on the day, including old washing machines, TVs, toasters and kettles, electronic tools and toys, cables, IT equipment, mobile phones, remote controls, batteries, including farm fence batteries, and even watches.
“In Mayo, and across Ireland, we are buying more electrical goods than ever – with people purchasing an average 22kg per head in 2023 compared to 16kgs just five years ago,” said WEEE Ireland CEO Leo Donovan.
“Shopping stats show a surge in spend on new electrical devices like mobile phones, computers, small kitchen appliances and white goods. With old items still lying around many households we want to offer the opportunity to recycle these for free.”
Mr. Donovan added: “People in Mayo have contributed greatly to e-waste recycling every year, with 1,389 tonnes of electrical waste collected in the county in 2023, and we want to encourage that trend.”
In 2022, the equivalent of 216,157 tonnes of CO2 emissions were avoided by recycling e-waste through the WEEE Ireland Scheme as opposed to landfilling. That is the equivalent of the annual carbon consumption of 4,323 hectares of trees.
WEEE Ireland accounts for over two thirds of all national waste electrical and electronics collection activity on behalf of 1,300 producer members.
These free events are in partnership with Mayo County Council, and Sharon Cameron of the local authority commented: “Recycling e-waste is incredibly beneficial for both the environment and the economy. Together, we are diverting waste from landfill, recovering raw materials for reuse and ensuring hazardous materials are safely and responsibly disposed of.”
Sharon concluded: “We look forward to working with WEEE Ireland and Mayo householders to hopefully recycle a record-breaking amount of electronic waste in 2024.”