The Minister for the Environment, Mr Roche, has said new laws on the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment will mark a "seismic shift" in the way Ireland manages this type of waste.
The EU Directive on the recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) comes into effect in Ireland and other EU countries on August 13th, 2005.
Under the directive, the disposal of fridges, freezers, microwaves and computer equipment in all landfills will be banned and those found guilty of infringements are liable to fines of up to €15m and/or 10 years imprisonment.
Mr Roche said that the draft report of the special stakeholder Task Force established to advise on implementation of the Directive in Ireland which was published in April last, had provided a valuable blueprint on how the Directive can be operated here.
This partnership process would be vital in ensuring the smooth introduction of the new WEEE recycling system and he urged all of the key stakeholders to work together to ensure the successful introduction of the Directive.
The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated the amount of waste fridges and freezers in Ireland at anything up to 155,000 units a year. There is an absence of treatment facilities here which has forced local authorities to store this waste or export it to another EU state for treatment, according to the Department of the Environment.
The Minister made his comments at an IBEC Conference on the implementation of the directive.
He said that the concept of producer responsibility has been developed with considerable success in tackling waste both here and internationally.
"This concept is central to the wider EU and national policy of finding integrated waste management solutions that lessen negative environmental impacts and promote efficient use of natural resources." The Minister added:
"There were sound practical reasons for tackling this waste stream as most electrical and electronic equipment contain valuable compounds and other materials which can readily be recycled.