The industry is expanding mainly due to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances, according to consultancy firm Frost and Sullivan.

Ireland, together with the UK and the Netherlands, has an important electronics recycling industry that is supported by local legislation and pressure groups, which is shaping market demand.

The importance of the market in France and Scandinavia is expected to grow significantly over the coming years.

Frost and Sullivan predicts that the recycling market will grow rapidly across the EU over the next five years.

Suchitra Padmanabhan, programme manager for Frost and Sullivan, said: “The WEEE Directive has already spurred on intense interest and activity in the electronics waste market in Europe.

“Suppliers recognise this legislation as a key promoter of activity in the recycling market as is evidenced by the growing number of associations assisting companies to comply and regulate the collection, reuse, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment.”

WEEE Ireland recently released figures showing that over 28,000 tonnes of electrical waste was collect across the country in 2007, equivalent to nine kilograms per person.

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