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Project title

An Assessment of used EEE exports from Ireland

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

WEEE Ireland

Lead Organisation

University of Limerick (UL)

Lead Applicant

Colin Fitzpatrick

Project Abstract

The ExportEEE project will develop a process to quantify the volume of Used Electrical & Electronic Equipment (UEEE) exported from Ireland annually. Currently our recycling targets are calculated based on the assumption that all electrical and electronic products sold in Ireland become waste here and are available for collection and recycling (65% of material placed on the market in the previous 3 years or 85% of WEEE arising). However, it is known that a significant amount of laptops, computers, monitors, phones, tablets etc.. are collected from businesses for refurbishment before being exported globally. As a non-waste activity these volumes are not reported and are unknown. Likewise. it is also known that significant quantities of UEEE are exported via roll-on roll-off vehicles to Africa (Ireland is the 8th largest source of UEEE into Nigeria) but there is no reliable means of estimating the quantity. By creating a scientific methodology for estimating this it will be possible to make an argument that Ireland's WEEE collection targets should be adjusted. It will also help to develop an insight in the flow of UEEE to Africa. The Irish WEEE community is keenly interested in the results as it will be very informative as to the ability of Ireland to reach its WEEE collection targets. In addition to the regular outputs which include , a final report and a 2-page summary report the project will present the results at the WEEE & Batteries Monitoring Group. As part of ongoing communications effort we will also look to assemble a very strategic steering committee including a representative from waste policy section of the Dept of Communications, Climate Action & Environment, The Producer Register & EPA Waste Statistics. The international research and policy community will also be targetted with 0ne peer reviewed journal article at relevant high impact journal, an oral conference presentation at high impact international academic conference and a dedicated webinar through The Step Initiative webinar series.

Grant Approved

�103,111.77

Research Hub

Green and Circular Economy

Research Theme

Resource efficiency

Start Date

29/03/2019

Initial Projected Completion Date

28/03/2020