De Búrca says Recycling Rate for Electrical and Electronic Waste Continues to Grow
De Búrca says Recycling Rate for Electrical and Electronic Waste Continues to GrowGreen Party Senator, Déirdre de Búrca has welcomed the announcement by John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government that there has been further progress in the performance of the Waste Electrical and Electronic recycling scheme (WEEE) since the scheme came into effect on 13 August 2005. Senator de Búrca says “while this progress is welcome there is, however, further room for improvement”.According to the Green Party Senator 380,000 fridges and freezers have been recycled nationally since the implementation of WEEE Directive.”570,000 large household appliances have been recycled since August 2005” says De Búrca.” The WEEE Directive also diverts 240,000 televisions from landfill. It is estimated that every person in County Wicklow recycled 7.4 Kgs of household electronic and electrical waste in 2006”.However, De Brca admits that there is room for improvement in the scheme and that not enough small items are being recycled. “All Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment is hazardous” says De Búrca. “It must not go in the bin – no matter how small it is”.The Green Party Senator says that greater public awareness is required if the target recycling rates are to be achieved. She congratulates the council-run Recycling Centres on the excellent service they provide in County Wicklow . “I am currently talking to Minister John Gormley about providing more funding so that these recycling centres can open later, and for longer hours so that working people won’t be at a disadvantage”.For further information please contact Senator Déirdre de Búrca on (086) 806 1450
