Tech Waste Mounts, But Kildare’s Recycling Rates Remain Among Ireland’s Lowest

Monday, 16 June 2025 10:36

By Martin Osborne

In 2024, the average person in Kildare recycled just 5.1kg of e-waste, compared to the national average of 9.5kg per capita.

Kildare households recycled less than half the national average of electronic waste last year, according to the latest annual report from WEEE Ireland, the country’s largest electrical recycling scheme.

In 2024, the average person in Kildare recycled just 5.1kg of e-waste, compared to the national average of 9.5kg per capita.

The figures place the county among the lowest-performing regions in Ireland when it comes to responsible disposal of electrical items, despite a surge in tech purchases nationwide.

Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland, said increased investment in recycling centres, including longer opening hours, could improve the recycling of electric waste among locals.

The data comes as WEEE Ireland issues a fresh warning about the country’s ability to meet EU-mandated recycling targets, which are calculated based on the volume of electronic goods sold - not on their life cycle or reuse potential.

A major driver of the increase, according to WEEE Ireland, is the rise in single-use and short-lifespan products: over 31 million vapes and e-cigarette devices were sold across the country last year, and 2.5 million solar PV panels have been installed in the last five years.

More from Local News

Defence Forces Conduct Readiness Exercise At Whitewater Shopping Centre In Newbridge

Previously, the Army's elite Ranger Wing has conducted training at the same location.
Call For Sanitary Bins In Men’s Toilets To Support Prostate Cancer Survivors

Audio

Each year, around 4000 men in Ireland are diagnosed with the disease, with research from PHS and the Irish Cancer Society finding more than half of men with incontinence feel anxious because of poor toilet facilities.
Own-Brand Foods Often Produced By Same Factories As Big Labels, Says Money Doctor John Lowe

Choosing own-brand products can also save money, with Lowe noting that many supermarket labels are produced by the same manufacturers as well-known brands.
Kfm Strengthens Position As Kildare’s Most Listened-To Station, According To Latest Ipsos/MRBI Report

Kfm CEO Clem Ryan said: “This latest research is a major reflection of the power of local radio, which showcases local issues , and where advertisers reach their target customers in real time."
Quarter Of Uisce Éireann Staff Earned Over €100k Last Year

Audio

Officials from Uisce Eireann are appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, outlining the company’s financial statements for 2024.
Meath Bird Flu Case Prompts Warning, But Chicken And Turkey Safe To Eat, Says Agriculture Minister

Audio

After confirmed cases in Carlow and Cork, the Department of Agriculture is imposing a mandatory order for all poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors from next Monday.
One-Month Road Closure In Catherinestown To Start Next Week To Facilitate Maynooth Pipeline Works

The road will shut from the junction with the L5050 at Catherinstown to the L1015 at Kellystown from November 10th to December 6th.
Commuter Chaos On M7/N7 Renews Calls For Standby Emergency Response Team During Morning Gridlock

Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure Jack Chambers said he would ask Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Minister Of Transport to better resource the response to certain incidents.