Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is ready to start issuing Fixed Payment Notices (FPNs) in the coming weeks to persons and businesses not complying with their obligations under the Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations and the Batteries Regulations.
Correct management of waste electrical and electronic equipment and batteries means that hazardous substances found inside can be safely disposed of and that some materials can be reused -– saving both resources and energy, the EPA says.
Dr Eimear Cotter, EPA Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability said:
“Electronics and batteries are everywhere these days. When they reach the end of their useful life, the waste coming from these products needs to be managed properly.
“Fixed Payment Notices provide an alternative and efficient enforcement option to the EPA to help enforce the relevant regulations. While we may of course still need to take prosecutions, the use of Fixed Payment Notices will allow us to pursue non-compliant companies without having to access the courts.
“Meeting our new recycling targets will take real effort by consumers, retailers and the government but will deliver a real win-win for Ireland in terms of both environmental protection and making the most of earth’s scarce resources.”
“Ultimately, full compliance across the sector is what we want to achieve. This would support the delivery of a circular economy in Ireland where recycling and reuse is maximised.”
This enforcement action will target those who are importing, distributing and selling electrical and electronic equipment and batteries in Ireland, including those who sell online or through catalogues. The amounts associated with Fixed Payment Notices will be vary from €500 to €2,000 for each offence.
Dr Shane Colgan, EPA Senior Manager, said: “To date, Ireland has been successful in dealing with these wastes, using an effective set of supports and regulations to achieve collection levels in line with EU targets.
“As the system matures and the collection targets rise, it is important that all importers, distributors and sellers are evenly regulated. The introduction of Fixed Payment Notices provides the EPA with an efficient means for enforcing legal obligations and will improve the targeting of non-compliant operators.”
Commenting on Ireland’s performance on recycling and reuse in the WEEE and batteries sector Shane Colgan concluded: “Batteries and electrical & electronic equipment contain valuable metals. If we collect and recycle them after use, we are keeping these important resources in circulation and can use them for future products.
“The other side of it is that these metals can be toxic in the environment and can cause serious pollution and damage wildlife if carelessly discarded – as well as being an eyesore. Achieving high rates of recycling can be challenging, and while at present we are achieving current targets, these will increase significantly in 2019.
“Meeting our new recycling targets will take real effort by consumers, retailers and the government but will deliver a real win-win for Ireland in terms of both environmental protection and making the most of earth’s scarce resources.”