The Right Way to Recycle
Batteries, vapes, old phones, knackered laptops… they all have somewhere better to be than your household bin. And getting them there is one of the easiest things you can do today!
Whether it’s a dead AA from the TV remote or a vape you’ve finished with, we’ve got a place for it. And once you know what to do, you’ll never look at a battery the same way again.
One small drop-off, one big spark in the right direction.
Grab your free Battery Guide poster and get started today!
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WEEE stands for ‘Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment’, which is the official way of saying: if it plugs in, charges up, runs on batteries, or lights up when you press a button, it qualifies. And there is a lot more of it in your home than you might think. We’re not just talking about old laptops and broken phones (though yes, absolutely those too), WEEE covers a genuinely surprising range of everyday items that quietly accumulate! Here’s a glimmer of what counts:
- Around the home — dishwashers, fridges, washing machines, cookers and dryers.
- Lighting — fluorescent or compact bulbs/lamps, chandeliers, LED strips, tube lights, vanity lights, floodlights and lava lamps.
- Personal care — hair dryers, weighing scales, electric razors, electric toothbrushes, massage guns, and even foot spas!
- In the kitchen — toasters, sandwich makers, coffee machines, juicers, irons, hand mixers, blenders, cooling fans, electric scales, hoovers, electric heaters, microwaves, radios, and electric knives.
- Power tools — electric lawnmowers, drills, sanders, hedge trimmers, pressure washers, grass trimmers, torches, and sewing machines (that shed deserves a clear-out too!).
- Toys and tech — ride-on cars, walkie-talkies, bubble machines, remote control cars, robots, VR headsets, Bluetooth speakers, drones and wireless karaoke sets.
The bottom line? If it needs electricity or a battery to do its thing, it has a proper place to go when its time is up, and that place is NOT your household bin. The good news is that disposing of them is easier than ever. Just find your nearest drop-off here.
When batteries are thrown into bins, whether intentionally or not, they can cause major issues once they are emptied into a bin truck. The pressure of compaction in the back of the truck can crush the batteries, resulting in explosions or fires. This puts the collection team and other road users in immediate danger. It can also damage the truck and cause delays in waste disposal.
Beyond the safety risks, batteries contain harmful chemicals like cadmium, lead, mercury and lithium that leach into soil and water, quietly polluting the environment. They’re also full of valuable materials that can be recovered and reused. When they go in the bin, those materials are gone forever, and more energy and resources are needed to produce new ones from scratch.
The good news? Dropping them off couldn’t be easier. Find your nearest recycling centre here, or, if you’re passing your local shop, look out for blue WEEE battery collection boxes.
Fortunately, recycling batteries and battery-powered items properly is simple. Here’s how:
- Use Battery Collection Points — Many supermarkets and local shops have blue collection boxes where you can drop off used batteries. You don’t need to travel far. Next time you’re doing your weekly shop, bring your old batteries with you. Once collected, they’re sent to be recycled safely and responsibly.
- Visit Your Local Recycling Centre — Your nearest recycling centre can take a wide range of items that contain batteries, including small household electronics, toys, vapes, and old gadgets. These centres are set up to manage hazardous materials correctly, ensuring that batteries are handled safely from start to finish. You can find your closest recycling centre here.
- WEEE Ireland Free Collection Day — WEEE Ireland hosts free collection days nationwide. These events are open to all and are an easy way to get rid of old electronics and batteries responsibly.
The answer is yes! It’s easier than you’d think, and probably closer than you’d expect.
All lightbulbs (LEDs, fluorescents, compact fluorescent lamps, the lot) can be dropped off at any of our recycling centres across Ireland, open 5 to 7 days a week. We have locations in Dublin, Cavan, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Monaghan and more, so there’s a good chance one is already on your regular route. Find your nearest recycling centre here.
Not near any of our recycling centres? WEEE Ireland also runs free Public Collection Events for households in areas without easy access to recycling facilities. All lightbulbs are accepted free of charge, alongside any other household WEEE (basically anything with a plug or a battery).
Learn more about how you can make a difference on our blog or download a printable PDF version for your home. And if you’re a retailer, visit WEEE Ireland to request a blue battery collection box for your store.
