The Government has established a task force to deal with an EU Directive which will soon entitle consumers to bring their old electrical equipment back to the manufacturer and get it recycled free of charge.
Business group IBEC has warned that the Directive will pose 'major problems', because producers will be responsible for financing the collection, recovery and recycling process.
Environment Minister, Mr Martin Cullen, said 1.6 billion tonnes of electronic waste is generated every year in the EU and many valuable materials would have to be diverted from landfill and recycled.
The goal of the task force, which consists of experts from the manufacturing and retailer sectors, central and local government, and the EPA, is to develop guidelines before the end of the year.
By August 2005 owners of electronic waste will be entitled to leave that waste back free of charge, either to the place of purchase or to other authorised collection points.
IBEC's Donal Buckley said another Directive demands that industry phase out the use of hazardous substances, such as lead, cadmium and mercury among others, in their products by July 1 2006.
He said the lack of recycling infrastructure in Ireland, the size of the market, geographical disadvantage and the diversity of products covered will make things difficult, but that industry will would live up to its responsibilities.
