Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
23. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of batteries recycled through the WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) scheme in Ireland in each of the past three years; the number of batteries that ended up in landfill over the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4639/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland uses the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system based on the principle of the ‘producer pays’ model to manage a number of waste streams such batteries.
Eurostat, as the statistical office of the European Union, is responsible for providing high quality statistics and data in Europe. It collaborates with the national authorities of EU countries and other partners to produce environmental statistics relating to the circular economy. On an annual basis, Ireland provides waste statistics to Eurostat. This is available on the Eurostat website: ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ENV_WASPB__custom_4715687/bookmark/table?lang=en&bookmarkId=bb58b5ed-5d2b-4109-8655-dee5f6a3121d&c=1675075644354
While the Environmental Protection Agency publishes details of municipal waste generated, managed and treated, and includes a breakdown of tonnages going to landfill, it does not include data regarding the number of batteries involved (www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/waste/national-waste-statistics/municipal/ ).
