The Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, has confirmed that householders will be able to recycle electrical and electronic equipment free of charge from next August.
However, he accepted this would be a significant challenge.
Mr Roche made the comments when publishing draft regulations on how to implement the relevant EU Directive. Britain and Germany have already deferred implementation.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than 150,000 fridges and freezers are dumped in Ireland each year.
From 13 August, the public will be able to get rid of them free of charge, along with microwaves, televisions and computers, by bringing them back to where they were bought or to designated local authority centres.
Mr Roche also announced that Ireland would avail of a two-year derogation on EU collection and recycling targets.
The directive means that anyone found trying to dump electronic or electrical equipment in landfills faces fines of up to €15 million and ten years in prison.
The business group, IBEC, has expressed concern that the country might not be in a position to meet its responsibilities under the directive. It believes that significant challenges remain on infrastructure, enforcement and awareness.
