From Saturday 13th Aug 2005, Producer Recycling Fund Contribution (PRFC) will be applied to the retail price of new electrical and electronic goods. These contributions have been approved by the WEEE Register, an independent regulation body authorised by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dick Roche TD. EU Legislation allows for these contributions to be applied for the next eight to ten years.

PRFC is being introduced under the 2002 EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) to fund the recycling and safe disposal of old electrical and electronic equipment - from small household items such as hairdryers and radios through to larger products such as fridge freezers and cookers. PRFCs have been set and agreed according to specific product types and these costs are the same regardless of what brand or from what outlet in the Republic of Ireland an item is purchased.

Civic amenity centres (Cork sites listed below), of which there are approximately 64 located throughout the country, will allow consumers to dispose of all old electronic equipment free of charge. Consumers will also be able to bring back old electrical or electronic equipment to a retailer on a one-for-one basis when purchasing a similar product. Alternatively if a retailer is delivering a new product to a consumers home, then a similar old product can be collected at the same time, provided it is disconnected and does not pose a health and safety issue.

For more information about WEEE and Producer Recycling Fund Contribution please visit www.weeeireland.ie