Charges for returning electrical goods is to be lowered from the 1st of August. Environmental Management Charges (EMC) are to be lowered for consumers purchasing electrical items and the charge for watches and clocks (currently €1) is to be removed altogether. The reduction in prices follows an independent review of the charges which were introduced last year to cover the cost of recycling household appliences.

Savings will include a reduction from €20 to €10 on all large appliences including washing machines, dish washers and electric cookers. Charges on large televisions are to be reduced from €20 to €15 and the charge for vacume cleaners is to drop from €5 to €2. Charges for small white goods including toasters and blenders will drop from €2 to €1.

The decision to cut charges for theses items was taken due to the large volumes of recycling that has occured because of the scheme enabling consumers to deposit their old appliances when purchasing new ones on a like for like basis. An average of 7kg per person has been recycled under the scheme, almost duble the EU targed for 2008 of 4kg per person. The scheme has resulted in almost half a million househoold appliences being diverted from landfill in its first 12 months.

Information on WEEE charges can be found here.

Created: 26th July 2006