New scheme will help recycle electrical goods

The Government will this morning move ahead with a scheme to introduce free recycling of electronic goods for consumers despite opposition from electrical producers and retailers who will have to pay for it.

The scheme, known as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, is aimed at removing the incentive for householders and rogue collectors to dump electrical equipment illegally.

It will operate by placing an environmental management charge (EMC) on the sale of all electrical goods from toasters to televisions and computers. The money raised will be used to collect and send old equipment for recycling abroad.

Details of this charge are to be announced this morning by a newly appointed State and industry-based committee headed by Declan Burns, a former director of the Environmental Protection Agency. The full recycling scheme is to be in place by August 13th.

The scheme is being pushed by Minister for the Environment Dick Roche, who held at times heated meeting with representatives of major retailers and producers yesterday.

Mr Roche is understood to have been angered by recent advertising by large electrical retailers to the effect that the electrical waste scheme would add to the price of electrical goods. He has argued that as the price of goods such as computers and flat-screen televisions is falling, the environmental charge could be included without adding to the retail price.

He is determined, however, that the incentive to dump washing machines, fridges and other goods in scenic areas and open ground will be removed.

Under the new arrangements, two recycling bodies are to be set up to which retailers and producers can affiliate. It will be an offence for retailers and producers not to be affiliated to one.

Mr Roche is also to end the current practice where local authorities charge for accepting electrical goods at civic amenity centres, and the department is to fund the rapid development of additional civic amenity centres.

The environmental management charge is to be displayed on customers till receipts. Producers will have to inform the new Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment register of its sales.

Based on the number of sales, producers will have to pay the charges to the recently established Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment committee.

All producers will be required to register with the committee.