Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Batteries Regulations Enforcement

Local authorities regulate the disposal, recovery and recycling of consumer electrical goods, electrical appliances and batteries.

Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

The Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Regulations require producers and retailers of WEEE to be responsible for the financing of the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of WEEE.

It means that consumers of household WEEE are entitled to return the WEEE back Free of Charge, either to retail outlets (under certain conditions) or other authorised facilities, including recycling centres.

Waste Batteries

Waste batteries and accumulators (rechargeable batteries) can be returned free of charge, to a. Retailers who sell equivalent batteries or b. other authorised collection points including local authority civic amenity sites.

Members of the public should not place batteries in waste disposal or recycling bins. Waste batteries should be collected and returned to the retailer who sell equivalent batteries or to a local authority civic amenity sites.

No purchase is required to return waste batteries.

Household batteries can be recycled at the following locations:

  1. Powerstown Civic Amenity Site

Any queries in relation to the regulations should be addressed to environment@carlowcoco.ie

 

What are my Obligations as a Retailer?

  • Retailers must take back batteries similar to a type they sell such as portable batteries such as AA, AAA, Cell C, Cell D, PP3.
  • If you do not sell Automotive, Industrial, or sealed lead acid batteries for alarms you are not obliged to accept these back.
  • Take-back systems for household batteries may operate in conjunction with take back systems for household WEEE.
  • Retailers of automotive or industrial batteries must register as a supplier of Batteries under the WEEE, with local authority. See forms below.
  • Retailers may deposit waste portable batteries free of charge at local authority civic amenity sites.
  • Retailers are prohibited from placing on the market, batteries supplied by an unregistered Producer.
  • Retailers who import batteries from outside the state are required to register as a Producer.
  • The collection compliance scheme in operation within Carlow County Council functional area is WEEE Ireland.
  • WEEE Ireland can be contacted at 01- 299 9320.

WEEE Recycling Points

  • All unwanted household electrical items, including batteries and lighting fixtures can brought to your nearest recycling centre for free.
  • If you are buying any new electrical item in your home, don't forget that you can return your unwanted/old electronic item to the same retailer for FREE.
  • WEEE IRELAND promote public collection events of WEEE and waste batteries annually.
  • Any household item with a plug or battery will be accepted at these collection events - from large items such as fridges, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers, to small electrical items such as remote controls.
  • All waste batteries will be accepted free of charge in shops, just look out for the blue battery boxes in store.