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Galway Advertiser, Thu, Apr 06, 2023

East Galway householders are being urged to bring their batteries, electrical and electronic waste to a set of free collection days to help the county meet national e-waste recycling targets for 2023.

The events, hosted by WEEE Ireland and supported by Galway County Council, will take place on Saturday April 15 in Loughrea Mart from 10am to 4pm, and on Saturday April 22 in Mountbellew Moylough GAA Club from 10am to 4pm.

Collection events will also be taking place in late April and early May in Maam Cross and Gort.

All household items with a plug or a battery will be accepted free of charge, including old washing machines, TVs, toasters and kettles, electronic tools and toys, cables, IT equipment, mobile phones, remote controls, batteries, including farm fence batteries, and even watches.

"In Galway, and across Ireland, we are buying more electrical goods than ever – with the annual tonnage on the market rising significantly from 15kg a head in 2016 to 23kg a head in 2022," said WEEE Ireland CEO Leo Donovan.

"Shopping stats during the pandemic showed a surge in spend on new electrical devices like mobile phones, computers, small kitchen appliances and white goods.

"With old items still lying around many households we want to offer the opportunity to recycle these for free. People in Galway have contributed greatly to e-waste recycling every year, and we want to encourage that trend."