LIMERICK BOOSTS IRELAND’S TOP EU-CYCLING POSITION
May 10th 2010
LIMERICK BOOSTS IRELAND’S TOP EU-CYCLING POSITION
SHANNONSIDE THE COUNTY TO BEAT IN ERP RECYCLING LEAGUE
Limerick locals displayed support for both eco and European initiatives over the weekend with an impressive turn out at ERP’s free Europe themed e-cycling days at the Tesco Car Park, Coonagh. The weekend of e-cycling also coincided with Europe Day on Sunday May 9th so Limerick residents had an extra special reason to recycle.
Almost 600 cars made the journey to ERP’s “Be Free” event to support their county in the competition to win the ERP Recycling League title and keep Ireland at the top of the European League Table.
Over 38 tonnes were collected on Saturday and Sunday, already placing Limerick in a strong position at this stage in the ERP Recycling League.
Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Kevin Kiely, who attended the Coonagh open day said: ‘The people of Limerick have consistently demonstrated their commitment to recycling and the outstanding success at this year’s ERP “Be Free” event has once again given residents a reason to be proud. E-waste and batteries need to be recycled in a responsible manner in order to divert these items from landfill. We are delighted with the sheer volume of electronic waste collected this weekend and thank participants for supporting this great community initiative.”
A recent survey carried out by ERP showed the majority of Limerick residents recycle e-waste monthly. Men are more likely to recycle e-waste than women, which is not surprising given that large electronic items like TV’s and computer equipment are the most common waste streams recycled. E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in Europe and ERP is urging households to recycle these items, no matter how big or small, rather than throwing them in the bin.
Martin Tobin, general manager ERP Ireland said: ‘We were delighted to be able to celebrate Europe Day at our free recycling day in Limerick. Ireland is currently the best in Europe at electrical waste recycling but it is important to keep up the great work to stay at the top. Limerick has really played their part in supporting Ireland and we congratulate all participants on their wonderful efforts so far.”
Limerick’s Live 95FM broadcasted live at the event and The Shadows were handing out free giveaways for participants. ERP provided prizes such as wind up solar powered radios for every hundredth car that entered the recycling event on the day. An H-Racer Hydrogen Fuel Cell Racer was the star prize on the day and went to the lucky 500th car that entered the event.
As part of the Europe Daycelebrations on Sunday 9th May, participants received balloons and face painters were on hand to entertain children.
For full information on this day and other locations around Ireland, simply log onto www.befreewitherp.ie
Limerick recycling fast facts:
- In February 2010 WEEEbot,a robot measuring 4.5 metres in height and made from 109 recycled electrical components, was donated to the children’s unit in the Mid Western Regional Hospital by ERP
- In 2009 Limerick collected almost 38 tonnes of e-waste which is over 69 kilograms per person, per e-cycling event in the county
- In 2008, Limerick came second in the ERP recycling league, narrowly piped by Kerry
- There are many local amenity sites all over Limerick where people can bring back their unwanted WEEE and batteries
- Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the European Union
- The average thirty year old couple in Limerick has 30 electrical and electronic products in their house
- The average fifty year old couple in Limerick has 90 electrical and electronic products in their house
ENDS
About ERP:
The European Recycling Platform was set up in December 2002 by Braun, Electrolux, HP and Sony in response to the introduction of the European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. ERP’s mission is to ensure cost effective implementation of the directive, for the benefit of the participating companies and their customers. This is achieved through innovative waste management strategies and by encouraging national implementation of the directive according to a set of core principles, fundamental to the protection of consumers and business, as well as the environment.
ERP is the first WEEE compliance scheme to be permitted and to launch operations in multiple European countries and thus the first scheme to pass on the advantages of multinational recycling operations to the consumer. ERP has proved to be the most competitive solution for companies in the countries where it has started to operate.
ERP is already operational in eleven countries – in Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and the UK.
For more information on ERP, please visit www.erp-recycling.ie
For further information please contact
Grace O’Reilly in the ERP press office at Hill and Knowlton;
Tel: 01 662 6930 / 086 1968831