Consumers are being urged to recycle old and broken electrical appliances as they could contain critical raw materials which can be reused for new technologies and renewable energy sources.
Data from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland shows that while eight in ten adults said they recycle their e-waste, just 50% recognise the "importance of recovering" the materials appliances contain.
The non-profit said that the figure rises to 60% among 18 to 24-year-olds, which indicates the age group may not connect recycling with resource recovery.
This is a major "blind spot" that could be costing Ireland valuable critical raw materials "needed for a greener future", according to WEEE.
Metals such as copper, nickel, and lithium can be recovered from old and broken electrical appliances.
These recycled materials can be used to manufacture technologies like heat pumps, wind turbines, EV chargers, servers, and smartphones.
"Every old and broken phone, hairdryer or game controller tucked away at home contains materials that the EU desperately needs to be less reliant on China," said Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland.
"Europe's e-waste is now being called the new oil, and Ireland’s contribution to that well of resources can either sit gathering dust or be mined responsibly for a circular future. We’re urging everyone - if it’s old, broken or obsolete, recycle it," he added.
The research also found that almost one in three people keep unused technology as a back-up, leaving a hidden hoard of valuable raw materials lying idle.
"With Irish consumers currently only recycling three end-of-life electrical items for every 10 purchased, the potential impact of recycling is immense. A concerted effort to collect and recover could extract hundreds of tonnes of reusable metals from obsolete gadgets and appliances," Mr Donovan said.
Old and broken electronic devices, batteries, and cables can be recycled for free at one of hundreds of local authority civic amenity centres and participating electrical retailers.
WEEE Ireland promotes the recycling of household waste batteries, electrical and lighting equipment and supports member producers and retailers.
