WEEE Compliance

Arco is committed to meeting the requirements of the European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014. WEEE Ireland registration number - IE 01651 WB. These Regulations require producers of electrical and electronic equipment to finance the takeback of WEEE resulting from products that we place on the Irish market. This helps us to ensure that WEEE is reused or recycled safely.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) covers any equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields and equipment for the generation, management and transfer of such currents that has been discarded or is at the end of its useful life. Along with waste batteries and accumulators, WEEE must never be placed in your waste disposal or recycle bin. The crossed-out wheelie symbol on new appliances and batteries reminds us not to put these items in the bin but to segregate them for recycling.

The implication of European Directives has meant that importers and manufacturers (known as Producers) of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), batteries and accumulators have an obligation to organise the collection and recycling of WEEE, batteries and accumulators in Ireland.

Recycling and reusing unwanted electrical or electronics can help save the planet, boost the economy, and improve lives. Not only that, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) contains materials, parts and substances which can be dangerous to the environment and harmful to human health if not disposed of correctly.

You have a role to play in ensuring that WEEE is reused and recycled safely. So, if you choose not to return WEEE to us then you should not dispose of it in your bin. The crossed out wheeled-bin symbol on the product reminds users not to dispose WEEE in the bin. You should ensure that the WEEE is collected separately and sent for proper treatment. WEEE contains hazardous substances and if not managed and treated safely it can cause pollution and damage human health. Electrical and electronic equipment is now the fastest growing waste stream in Ireland and across the world.

Distributers (retailers) are legally obliged to take back waste batteries and WEEE subject to the following:

• WEEE can be taken to an authorised recycling collection site or Local Authority Civic Amenity Centre. See WEEE Ireland website for further information (www.recyclefree.ie)
• WEEE can be taken back to Arco Safety Ltd, B11 Ballymount Corporate Park, Ballymount Avenue, Ballymount, Dublin 12 when purchasing a similar electrical product, on a one for one, like for like basis. That is, the product must be of an equivalent type or perform the same function as the new item being purchased
• On delivery of new EEE, the old appliance or item can be taken back free of charge, on a like for like, one for one basis. 24 hours' notice should be given before the new product is delivered to ensure the old product is disconnected from the main electrical, water or gas supply, waste pipe or permanent structure
• Batteries can be taken back to any location that sells similar batteries with no purchase necessary. Portable batteries can be taken to Arco's site in Dublin, authorised recycling collection sites or Local Authority Civic Amenity Centres. See the WEEE Ireland website or speak to a colleague for further information (www.recyclefree.ie)
• The distributor is not obliged to take back damaged batteries or quantities more than 5kg at any one time
• Also, watch out for WEEE Ireland's blue battery boxes in designated shops around Ireland
• WEEE and battery recycling is free

Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled or reused! The materials from recycled electricals can be used in everything from children's playgrounds to lifesaving equipment, while donated tech can help bridge the digital divide.

You'll find the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol on all your electrical items. It is a reminder to recycle your old electricals, rather than binning them.  The official listing for electrical equipment can be found on www.weeeregister.ie

Arco Safety Ltd are registered with the WEEE Register Society and we have signed up with the WEEE Ireland compliance scheme covering the consumer take back of batteries and WEEE pending full compliance.

As part of our commitment to reducing the amount of unwanted electrical waste being incinerated or sent to landfill sites, we'll recycle your old electricals free of charge when you buy new ones. Together we can stop precious resources from being lost forever, save lives, and help protect the planet. Every year, businesses collect, reuse, and recycle thousands of tonnes of old electrical and electronic equipment.

We take all your old electricals to a recycling plant for processing and separate into individual materials, so they can be turned into new, more useful things.