A majority of consumers in Ireland are concerned about international online retailers avoiding their recycling responsibilities – a practice that has heaped the cost of compliance onto Irish businesses, consumers, and, ultimately, taxpayers.  

Last year, over one million tonnes of electrical goods were placed on the EU market without sellers contributing to recycling or waste management costs – a burden estimated to cost hundreds of millions of euros per annum.  

This means Irish businesses and shoppers are being hit with the increased costs of recycling products from non-compliant overseas sellers, including popular online retailers from countries such as China.  

According to a new poll commissioned by Digital Business Ireland (DBI), and conducted by Amárach, 6 in 10 shoppers said they would be less likely to buy from online retailers that do not contribute to Ireland’s environmental and circular economy targets, rising to 70% among those aged 55 and over. 

The survey of 1,000 respondents highlights the continued growth of cross-border e-commerce, with more than half of consumers (55%) in Ireland reporting they had made an online purchase in the past month that required shipping from outside the state.  

This echoes findings from the 2025 European E-Commerce Report, which found Ireland had the highest rate of online shoppers in Europe at 95%. In the last three months of 2024, 40% of Irish online purchases originated from outside the EU, one of the highest rates of distance selling in the bloc. 

The poll also revealed that 80% of consumers share concerns about online sellers and their responsibilities, including sustainability issues associated with shipping goods from abroad and the risk that products may not comply with Irish laws and regulations on circular practices.  

This figure climbs to over 85% amongst those aged 35 and under, the poll results show.  

DBI says these findings underline growing public support for closing the compliance gap between Irish retailers and international distance sellers, many of whom ‘free-ride’ by evading obligations under extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes. This avoidance forces local businesses – and by extension, Irish taxpayers – to shoulder the costs of recycling and disposal. 

Caroline Dunlea, Chairperson of DBI, said: 

“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. It is clear that the Irish public are on the side of compliant businesses. They want a level playing field where everyone who profits from the Irish market contributes to its sustainability.” 

DBI is calling on the Government to introduce digital solutions such as a ‘Pay-on-Behalf ‘model, under which online marketplaces would register, report and pay environmental compliance fees on behalf of third-party sellers who do not have an Irish registration number.  

This model is already in place in several EU countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, and some online platforms already operate voluntary Pay-on-Behalf systems in other jurisdictions. DBI says Ireland should move quickly to follow suit. 

Ms Dunlea added: 

“The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has acknowledged that this is a significant issue for retailers in Ireland and is exploring options such as the Pay-on-Behalf model. But Ireland cannot wait until 2028 for expected EU-wide reforms. We need national action now to protect compliant Irish businesses, strengthen recycling performance, and safeguard consumer trust. We are calling on retailers and industry stakeholders to submit their responses to the Government’s ongoing Circular Economy Strategy consultation to ensure their voices are heard on the matter.”  

Key findings from the survey include: 

• 55% of consumers made at least one online purchase that required shipping from abroad in the past month. 

• This figure rises to 64% for those aged 18-24 and 45-54. 

• 80% of those polled expressed at least one concern regarding distance sellers, including sustainability practices and recycling obligations. 

• Almost half of those surveyed would prefer to buy Irish but find limited affordable options. 

• 60% would be less likely to buy from a seller who does not contribute to Ireland’s environmental targets, rising to 7 in 10 for those aged 55 and over.