Energy

Non-recycled electronic waste could threaten green energy sources, waste recycling scheme warns

Ireland’s largest e-waste recycling scheme warns that we need to meet a forthcoming EU target to recycle at least 15 per cent of our annual consumption of critical raw materials from e-waste

WEEE’s annual report shows consumers recycled a record number of e-waste items last year – 40,804 tonnes or just over 10kg per person. Pitcure: Environmental Protection Agency

Ireland and other European nations risk jeopardising green energy sources if they fail to hit upcoming EU targets to recycle critical raw materials, according to an Irish waste recycling scheme.

Electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines and solar-power generators all require components such as lithium, magnesium, copper and nickel but Europe is currently importing the vast majority of the rare earth materials it uses, according to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland.

The not-for-profit organisation’s ...