From 13^th August 2005, retailers were required to take back WEEE from members of public free of charge.  The take back system will operator on a one-for-one basis only and the WEEE must be of a similar type or have performed the same function as the new item being purchased. For example, you are not obligated to accept a microwave if your customer has purchased a toaster.

Retailers wishing to bring WEEE to a designated Collection Centres need to register their business/retail unit with the WEEE Compliance scheme in operation in their region or with their Local Authority.

If you are a retailer in the Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council or Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council regions you can register with WEEE Ireland for free.

If you are a retailer in the Fingal County County Council Region you can register with ERP for FREE

Details of how to register with WEEE Ireland are available here...

Details of how to register with ERP are available here...

Alternatively retailers can register with their Local Authority for an annual fee of €20

Please contact the following people if you wish to register with your Local Authority:

Dublin City Council:
Mary Lawlor - mary.lawlor@dublincity.ie
Adrienne Garvey - adrienne.garvey@dublincity.ie

Fingal County Council:
Contact Fingal County Council environment enforcement at 01-890 5013.

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council:
Contact Stephen Brown on 01-2054700.

South Dublin County Council:
Contact Carmel Smith on 01-4149000.

Retailers will not be required to obtain a Waste Collection Permit for the transportation of goods to the designated Retailers WEEE Collection Centres provided the vehicle is registered in the State. The exemption will only apply where the WEEE was taken back free of charge.

Any retailer using a third party collector or courier to transport WEEE to a collection centre must ensure the contractor holds the relevant waste collection permits.

WEEE taken back at retailers’ premises needs to be stored and handled properly and can be removed directly by an approved collectors i.e MinChem, KMK, & Irish Lamps under the WEEE Ireland or ERP compliance scheme.

Registered retailers who store WEEE that has been taken back free of charge at their premises are exempt from requiring a Waste Permit, provided that the quantities in storage at any one time do not exceed the following:

» 90 cubic metres (i.e. the capacity of a 45 foot high-cube container) of household WEEE other than WEEE listed in category 5 of the First Schedule (e.g. lighting equipment) and mobile phones

» 2,000 units WEEE listed in category 5 of the First Schedule (e.g. lighting equipment), and/or

» 50 kgs of mobile phones.

This exemption will not apply where the WEEE is contaminated, and therefore a health and safety risk, or where storage does not meet the requirements noted above.

The design of storage areas should be agreed in advance with the agreed collector.  All sites for the storage of WEEE must have impermeable surfaces. If the WEEE is to be stored in an outdoor area and a weatherproof covering may be required if appropriate. Spillage collection facilities may also be required .