Ireland is sitting on a hidden trove of resources - the critical raw materials locked inside old appliances. New data from the waste management service firm WEEE Ireland (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Ireland) shows a striking gap between what people recycle and what they truly understand about resource recovery. “We’re urging everyone – if it’s old, broken or obsolete, recycle it,” said Leo Donovan, Chief Executive of WEEE Ireland.
A “blind spot” in recycling awareness
Eight in 10 Irish adults say they recycle their e-waste. Yet, only half recognise that their old devices contain critical raw materials essential for renewable energy systems. Among younger adults (18-24), awareness rises to 60 per cent. This gap reveals what WEEE Ireland calls a “major blind spot” that could cost the country valuable resources.
Europe’s discarded electronics contain around one million tonnes of critical raw materials (CRMs) annually, including aluminium, copper, lithium and nickel. Donmovan explained that every old and broken phone, hairdryer or game controller tucked away at home contains materials that the EU desperately needs to be less reliant on China.
Aluminium: The ultimate circular metal
Aluminium stands out in this story. Unlike many other materials, it retains its properties through infinite recycling. Producing recycled aluminium requires just 5 per cent of the energy and emits less than 5 per cent of the CO₂ compared to primary aluminium. This makes it a cornerstone of a truly circular economy.
According to the International Aluminium Institute, 32 million tonnes of aluminium came from recycled sources in 2023, around 33 per cent of global supply. By 2040, over half of the world’s aluminium will come from scrap-based production.
Currently, Irish consumers recycle only three end-of-life electrical items for every 10 purchased. Many unused gadgets remain in drawers or attics as backups. “Europe’s e-waste is now being called the new oil,” Donovan added. A serious collection effort could extract hundreds of tonnes of reusable metals, including aluminium, from these forgotten items.
Read More: Fourth year running: AMAG claims top 1% ESG ranking worldwide for aluminium
Recycling aluminium also strengthens energy security. It supports the manufacture of wind turbines, EV chargers and heat pumps, technologies vital to decarbonisation.
Ireland has the chance to turn what’s gathering dust into a resource for the future. Greater awareness, collection and proper recycling can transform e-waste into a strategic aluminium reserve. As Donovan put it, “We’re urging everyone – if it’s old, broken or obsolete, recycle it.”
Read More: Solex Energy signs MoU worth $61M with Zelestra Group for high-precision solar modules
Responses
