Synthesis Report - ERTDI report 19 - Wilkinson et al
Summary: Collection trials in five locations throughout Ireland in order to characterise and quantify WEEE arisings, and to examine outlets for collected WEEE.
The European Directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)1 entered into force on 13 February 2003.
By 13 August 2005, Ireland must have a system in place for the collection of all types of WEEE free of charge from private households. By the end of 2006 (or 2008 if an optional derogation is taken), a collection rate of 4 kg/inhabitant/year must be achieved.
This equates to 15,200 tonnes of WEEE being collected from Irish householders every year. This project follows two previous studies by the authors on the calculation of theoretical WEEE arisings, and an assessment of ecodesign practices in Ireland (Wilkinson et al., 2001, 2002).
The project has established collection trials in five different locations throughout Ireland in order to characterise and quantify WEEE arisings, and to examine outlets for collected WEEE.
National collection systems are currently in place in six countries in mainland Europe. Current results from these take-back systems vary from 4.7 to 9.4 kg of WEEE collected per inhabitant per year. This means that all national collection systems currently in place in Europe exceed the target of 4 kg/person/year set by the EUWEEE Directive.
These national WEEE collection systems are operating at cost levels of between _350 and_500 per tonne of WEEE collected and processed. Based on these costs, it is estimated that meeting the 4 kg/person/year target of the WEEE Directive would cost Ireland between _5.5 million and _7.8 million per year to operate a national collection system. Overall, during the 12 months of collection at the project locations, more than 450 tonnes of WEEE were collected from the public and recycled. Within the catchments of each facility, collection rates of between 2.1 and 3.5 kg/person/year were achieved during the 12-month trial period.
With the raising of further public awareness and the removal of recycling fees this suggests that, on a local basis, the 4 kg/person/year target of the Directive is achievable. It was shown that removal of a disposal fee resulted in a significant increase in collection rate, possibly due to a “clear-out” effect. Raising existing fees was shown to reduce the collection rate, though with some recovery after a period of time. A one-day collection event in Kildare was very effective in collecting WEEE, and in achieving a higher than normal proportion of information and communications technology (ICT) and small brown goods collection. However, on a national basis, the target becomes more problematic.
There is a need to increase the access to the existing civic amenity sites, to expand the number of amenity sites, to trial alternative collection routes such as kerbside collection and one-day events, and particularly to integrate retail take-back, to enhance an underdeveloped collection infrastructure. The recycling and refurbishment infrastructure is also under developed, with a need to expand facilities and to adapt existing practices to satisfy the pre-treatment requirements of the Directive, and to develop refurbishment and reuse systems, probably via social economy enterprises. It is likely that the current reliance on the export of recovered materials and of equipment for specialised recycling will continue.
Experiences from these collection trials have been used to establish best-practice guidelines for the collection and monitoring of WEEE by local authorities. Based on the findings of this project and a review of current European practices, a set of 38 recommendations can be made. These are variously applicable to local authorities, retailers, recyclers, treatment facilities, refurbishers, manufacturers, importers, Government departments, agencies and representative organisations. These will assist in the development of WEEE management and in the implementation of the WEEE Directive in Ireland.