Vapes and solar panels see electrical device sales surge

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Vapes and solar panels have driven a 75 per cent surge in electrical device sales over the last five years, according to an e-waste recycling body.

A total of 93 million household electronic items were purchased in 2024 – almost three times the volume sold in 2006, according to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland.

Launching its 2024 annual report on Monday, WEEE said electronic items sold per year increased by 75 per cent between 2019 and 2024.

Vaping devices alone accounted for a third of all units sold last year, an estimated 31 million units, while 2.5 million solar PV panels have been installed in the last five years.

The country’s biggest e-waste recycling scheme is calling for Ireland’s “e-waste intelligence” to develop as consumption reaches record levels, putting pressure on EU recycling targets.

“Each one of those 93 million devices contains valuable materials like aluminium, copper, lithium, cobalt,” said WEEE Ireland chief executive Leo Donovan.

“We’re using these materials far faster than they can regenerate. Global demand is set to triple by 2050 – a trajectory that cannot be sustained.

“With over 80 per cent of the EU’s rare earths coming from China, Ireland’s dependence on imports leaves us dangerously exposed. We must reduce that risk by rethinking consumption, embracing circularity, and recovering more materials here at home.”

Excluding vapes, consumption of electronics is still climbing – a challenge given that EU recycling targets are based on sales volumes, regardless of product life cycle or whether they can be reused.

“We are penalised for selling long-life items like solar PV panels,” said Mr Donovan.

“Over 2.5 million panels have entered the market in the last five years, but with warranties of 15 to 20 years, they won’t reach recycling centres for at least another decade.

“Yet they still count toward our annual recycling target. That’s not circular thinking.”

Research from WEEE Ireland also shows the proportion of households hoarding unused devices rose from 22 per cent in 2023 to 29 per cent in 2025, highlighting a massive untapped opportunity for reuse and repair.

“We need to move beyond recycling alone. Extending the life of products through repair and reuse must become the norm,” Mr Donovan said.

In 2024, WEEE Ireland collected 38,215 tonnes of e-waste.

This included large household appliances which account for a significant share of Ireland’s material recovery due to their size and resource content – almost 330,000 large household appliances, more than 119,000 fridge freezers, and 258,000 TVs and monitors.

More than 1.1 million vape devices were also recovered, despite being notoriously difficult to capture due to disposal habits, with many ending up in waste bins.

WEEE Ireland said it continues to work with retailers and regulators to design more effective solutions for this new category of waste.

This month, the Government allocated €27 million from the Circular Economy Fund to support further progress.

“Ireland has an engaged public and a high-performing recycling network,” said Mr Donovan.

“With increased investment in recycling centres, including longer opening hours, and strong leadership, we can set the benchmark for e-waste and circular economy solutions in Europe.”