Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

709. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of total waste; and of electrical waste, re-used and recycled; his views that targets should be set for re-use, where possible, particularly with regard to electrical equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29596/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Latest data in relation to Ireland’s waste management performance, including with respect to Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE), are contained in the EPA’s National Waste Report for 2012, available on the EPA website (www.epa.ie). The 2013 Report is expected to be published shortly.

Under Directive 2012/19/EU on WEEE, Member States have an obligation to prioritise re- use at the earliest stages of WEEE take-back, separate WEEE for re-use and enable access for re-use centres or ‘approved preparing for re-use of WEEE organisations’ to collected WEEE prior to any further transfer.

Accordingly, regulation 17(3) in the European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014 now provides that ‘prior to any further transfer for treatment, a producer or authorised representative shall provide for the separation at their collection points of WEEE that is to be prepared for re-use from other separately collected WEEE by granting access for personnel from approved preparing for re-use of WEEE organisations that have been approved and registered by the registration body’.

The WEEE Register Society is the national registration body for Ireland. Preparing for re-use organisations who wish to gain access to WEEE from collection points are obliged to apply for approval from the WEEE Register Society who have developed the approval process, following consultation with re-use organisations, the EPA, producers and the WEEE compliance schemes, according to criteria set by the Minister.

Research has demonstrated the importance of promoting re-use of WEEE. In many instances, products are being discarded when they are in full working order that could be diverted for re-use and resale. Development of a re-use sector provides an opportunity to make a significant contribution to social and economic growth by creating employment and ensuring sustainable economic growth, whilst at the same time minimising environmental pollution. Development of this opportunity is reflected in the Government’s 2012 Waste Management Policy - A Resource Opportunity.