Four day recycling project in Kildare border area helps the environment

Residents in Blessington availed of a four day project to recycle electrical items and batteries for free.

They were encouraged to bring end-of-life electrical goods and batteries to an electrical recycling truck based at Blessington Tourist Office. The event was organised by the Blessington Allotments Campaign,the tourist office and RecycleIT, a community based social enterprise specialising in recycling Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

This project follows similar electrical recycling initiatives completed by the BAC, tourist office and WEEE Ireland, such as providing 200 free battery recycling boxes in 2025 and recycling days in 2024 and 2025 for people living in west Wicklow.

In 2024, Wicklow people recycled an average of just 7.5kg of e-waste per person, substantially below the national average of 9.5kg.

BAC chairman Dónal McCormack, explained the event.

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“During a recent litter pick in Blessington, I found several disposable vapes that were thrown in the grass. I was unable to recycle these anywhere locally, and batteries or disposable vapes should never be put into general waste. This inspired the need for improved recycling facilities in Blessington.

“I contacted RecycleIT who specialise in community electrical recycling, and Blessington Tourist Office who are at the centre of community life in Blessington to ask if they would be able to work together to put on a unique collection in Blessington over several days. Both groups quickly came on board. Thank you to RecycleIT and Blessington Tourist Office for showing leadership on this initiative, and to everyone who recycled their electrical goods which helps to make Blessington a more sustainable place to live.” 

BTO manager Martin Cahill said: “The Blessington Tourist Office is delighted to be part of another project which helps promote sustainability within our West Wicklow community.  In 2025 we made free battery recycling boxes available to the local community, provided Halloween costumes and Christmas jumper swap-shops, and were recognised for our sustainability efforts as national finalists in the REPAK Resource Awards.

“This event links nicely with our free battery box project, and continues our focus to make it easier for members of our community to make more sustainable and environmentally friendly choices. 

“We encourage residents to drop in and ask for your personal battery recycling box and to keep reducing, reusing and recycling.” 

The BTO is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm and closed on bank holidays. 

Deirdre McCormack, Martin Cahill, and Dónal McCormack with Oonagh, Malachí and Tara McCormack at the Community Electrical Recycling Event at Blessington Tourist Office, 30th March 2026