- WEEE Ireland

WEEE Ireland support for collection and recycling of e-waste and batteries by distance sellers.

You can recycle your waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and waste batteries in Ireland for free, whether you shop in-store or online!

Distance Selling has become increasingly common in the digital age as many more of us choose to shop online via websites, apps or social media platforms. This provides us with access to wide and diverse array of products from across the globe, giving consumers more options than ever before.

According to CSO.ie, over one fifth of Irish internet users bought products such as computer tablets, mobile phones or accessories online in 2023, all of which should be recycled when they can no longer be reused or repaired at end of life.

All Producers (Manufacturers and Importers) of EEE and Batteries onto the Irish market have extended producer obligations that including financing and set up of takeback systems for their waste products. Distributors and retailers of these products have takeback, information provision and other compliance obligations.

WEEE Ireland helps facilitate the collection and recycling of e-waste and batteries from end users at collection points. and reminds those buying and selling online to play an active role in the successful takeback system.

Who/What are Distance Sellers?

In the European Union WEEE Directive, a 'producer' can be classified as anyone who sells electronic equipment by means of distance communication directly to private households, or to users other than private households.

Essentially, this means that if a seller of electronic equipment makes a sale of a product online for example to the end-user, they are responsible for making sure that the management and recycling of electronic equipment and batteries they sell is properly financed and handled at its end of life, in addition to providing services to consumers such as free WEEE takeback. This also applies to batteries and sales made through third-party online marketplaces.

As E-commerce platforms continue to grow, it is important to understand the obligations of Distance Sellers and important information for the consumer.

Distance Seller Goods

Check before you Check Out

Check sellers’ and retailers take back information and policies when ordering electronics and batteries online. They are required to display this information on their website. (link to EPA retailer guidance document here)
Some sellers offer trade in and/or refurbishment options for electronic appliances and devices. Ask if these apply!
Recycle while you buy: Take advantage of free recycling when purchasing new devices or appliances. Some distance sellers collect on delivery, while others offer free post or courier pick up of WEEE. Ask your supplier what option they offer.
Whether in-store or online, retailers are required under Irish legislation to accept waste equipment for free recycling when selling a similar product.
The crossed-out ‘wheelie bin’ symbol on these products highlights that they should never be placed in household waste for disposal, rather they should be recycled. Electronics and batteries should always be discarded separately from other waste.

Recycle responsibly: If you are not purchasing new products, you can still use Civic Amenity and other WEEE Ireland collection points for broken devices beyond repair and reuse.

Click here to view our interactive map and find a collection point near you »

WEEE Ireland offers hundreds of collection points across local authority civic amenity centres and public collection events, allowing consumers to drop off old electronic devices for free. Participating online and physical retailers are also part of its nationwide effort to combat e-waste.

Always recycle waste electricals and batteries safely »

Obligations of Distance Sellers

As a Distance Seller, you must:

Accept a customer’s waste electricals for free recycling on delivery when selling a similar new one or provide a similar takeback option that is free and easy to access for the customer.
Accept a customer’s waste electricals for free recycling when selling a similar new product at all retail outlets or distribution addresses.
Accept waste batteries at all addresses, even if the consumer has not made a battery purchase.
Inform consumers of free battery takeback and your addresses where batteries are taken back. You must nominate one address in Ireland at which you will take back WEEE from consumers.

Don’t Forget the New Batteries Regulation 2023!

As of 18^th August 2025, distance sellers of batteries, including those incorporated into appliances, devices and vehicles, will also have to provide the following information as part of the EU Batteries Regulation 2023:

How consumers can return waste batteries for free to collection points.
Battery takeback arrangements, whether it is takeback on delivery or at a collection point, when ordering a battery.
Waste battery handling, storage and collection safety.
How consumers can prevent battery waste and support separate collection of batteries from other waste.
How substances in waste batteries can impact the health and the environment.
What labels and symbols, like the crossed-out ‘wheelie bin’ symbol on or accompanying batteries means.
How substances in waste batteries can impact the health and the environment.

Why Should I Recycle Waste Electricals and Batteries?

The European Union WEEE Directive ensures that consumers have access to recycle WEEE free of charge when they purchase similar products. This supports climate and circular economy action and works towards achieving the relevant UN Sustainable Developments Goals. At present however, only 30% of the over 11 million small electronic items purchased in Ireland are documented as returning to the circular economy through recycling and recovery when they can no longer be repaired or reused.

Electronics contain many critical raw materials that are finite and extracted in dangerous conditions from the Earth. By recycling, we can help to promote a circular economy by ensuring that these materials are salvaged and kept in the e-loop. These recovered resources are urban mines and recycling these products at end-of-life prevents these resources going to landfill, being illegally dumped, or handled by unauthorised operators. Moreover, this prevents further environmental damage through the continued extraction of critical raw materials and leakage of hazardous substances contained in WEEE/batteries when disposed of incorrectly.

83% of all material collected by WEEE Ireland has been recovered for use again in manufacturing through EN 50625 certified Irish local operators and specialist processors in Europe.

To find out more about where you can recycle with WEEE Ireland, please visit our interactive map »