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Recycling responsibilities refers to a seller’s legal duty to fund the collection and recycling of the products or packaging they retail on the Irish market. Companies selling items such as batteries and electronics must register with a compliance scheme in Ireland, must report how much they sell, and pay a fee to cover the cost of recycling or safe disposal once products reach their end of life. Digital Business Ireland (DBI), a representative body for online sellers, say cross-border vendors including those shipping direct to Irish consumers from China and other Asian markets, effectively operate outside the scheme. Today's News in 90 Seconds, Friday October 31 DBI says consumers would support bringing the cross-border retailers into the scheme. Six in 10 Irish consumers said they would not buy from online sellers that avoid their recycling responsibilities, according to a new study commissioned by DBI. The research, conducted by Amárach, polled 1,000 people and examined attitudes towards online shopping and its environmental impact. It found shoppers increasingly aware of the issue, with 70pc of those aged 55 and over saying they would be less likely to buy from retailers that fail to contribute to Ireland’s environmental and economic targets. DBI chairperson Caroline Dunlea said Irish retailers are complying with these rules, while many international retailers are not. “Retailers in Ireland are playing by the rules, registering, reporting and paying into take-back schemes, while many overseas distance sellers continue to bypass those obligations and free-ride on the back of Irish retailers and consumers,” she said. A separate 2025 European E-Commerce Report showed that Ireland has the highest rate of online shoppers in Europe, at 95pc. That report also found that 80pc of consumers share concerns about online sellers and their responsibilities, particularly regarding sustainability issues linked to shipping goods from abroad. Among those aged 35 and under, this figure rose to over 85pc, it said. DBI wants the Government to introduce digital solutions such as a “pay-on-behalf” model, where big online marketplaces would register, report and pay environmental compliance fees for sellers based outside Ireland. This model is already in place across several EU countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain, and on some online platforms, it said. “We need national action now to protect compliant Irish businesses, strengthen recycling performance, and safeguard consumer trust,” Ms Dunlea said.
