11 Ways to a Greener Christmas

Greener Christmas Cheer

Christmas time is one of the easiest holidays to green up. With a simple focus on giving thanks rather than gifts, we can honor our family and friends and help the environment in which we live.  Reading the 11 suggestions below can help make your festive celebration more environmentally and family friendly in 2018.

Real Christmas Trees 

11 Ways to Make Christmas Greener

1. Decorate from nature by adorning your home and dinner table with natural and homemade festive decorations. Maybe fill clear vases with pinecones, or acorns and place holly, ivy and other colorful leaves on dinning tables.
2. Use your normal dishes with cloth napkins. Disposable plastic or foil serving plates and dishes and plastic utensils create tons and tons of waste. If reusable does not work for you choose disposable plates, cups, napkins and utensils made from 100% recycled paper or cardboard, they are compostable.
3. Reusable or borrow rather than buy. Choose reusable containers and cookware or borrow extra dishes, platters and special bakeware for your Christmas feast. If you’re going to someone else’s home, bring your own reusable container for leftovers.
4. Manage your energy use. If you are serving dishes that need to be cooked at same temperature, place them all in the oven at same time to reduce energy usage and prep time. Have some of your ingredients, like butter, at room temperature to reduce stove-top melting time.
5. Stay close to home or share transport. Traveling miles to share a single meal with family and friends is not the eco-friendliest ways to spend Christmas day. Staying at home means a smaller carbon footprint. If you are attending a large family gathering over Christmas share transport with other family members or avail of public transport.
6. Prepare and cook less food. Families feel it’s necessary to cook a huge turkey and prepare numerous side dishes. It may be better to select a smaller turkey and skip less-popular starters and sides to reduce food waste.
7. Smaller plates can mean less festive food waste. Children tend to eat smaller amounts and then head off to play with Santa gifts while adults tend to fill their plate with everything that looks appealing. A smaller plate means your guests will choose less in the first place and come back for seconds.
8. Shop local and organic. Why not pay your local farm shop or butcher a visit? Buying local and sustainable food can help create jobs and grow our rural and urban economies, preserve farming and improves the environment.
9. Compost kitchen waste. Composting can have a big impact on the environment. It can help reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as decomposition in landfills creates methane, while Incineration can release other forms of air pollution.
10. Water – use tap water. Many brands of bottled water and soft drink result in plastic waste. Water is expensive to buy compared to tap water and soft drinks are often full of sugar so why not make the change this year!
11. Turn off Christmas lights when leaving the house. It’s the safe thing to do, saves money and the environment.

Wishing Everyone a Greener Festive Season 

Our advice for Christmas 2018 involves slowing down while allowing yourself permission to say “No” and focus your attention on the spirit, warmth and joy of the season. Connect with the beauty of the environment and the seasonal changes while making time for family and friends and the traditions which create memories.

About Recycle IT 

Recycle IT is an award-winning and the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise in Dublin providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recycle IT offered collection services to 90,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas each year collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, TV’s and much more. Our services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland We are authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authority. Visit our website for further.

Happy Christmas from the Recycle IT Team

 

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Environmentally Friendly Christmas – tips to help!

Making a festive difference.

More than any other time off the year, the festive season offers a chance for caring, sharing, giving and receiving. Family and friends embrace traditions come to together to celebrate before during and after December 25th.

It’s also important to remember our environment over the festive season especially with Ireland expected to generate 83,000 tonnes of packaging waste over Christmas. We all have a responsibility to keep the environment safe so everyone has a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of crisp fresh winter days and the natural landscape which is sleeping over winter in preparation for spring.

Winter Snow

Weather you’re at home or out and about over Christmas and New Year try to remember the eco-friendly motto of reduce, reuse and recycle. If we all do a little to reduce waste it will really mean a lot! 

With the weeks slipping by we have assembled 20 festive tips which will help the environment and maybe save time and a little money!

 Tips to help over the festive season. 

1. Use recycled Christmas wrapping and Christmas cards.
2. Cut up your old Christmas cards and use as present labels.
3. Buy rechargeable batteries for Santa gifts.
4. Add new labels to old envelopes and reuse.
5. Get you family making cards for family and friends.
6. Buy gifts that don’t have much packaging like vouchers or tickets.
7. Choose a present of antique art, silver or jewellery and promote reuse.
8. Use fruit and vegetables which is not pre-packed and reduce packaging
9. Compost your seasonal vegetables, peelings
10. Recycle glass, plastic and metal packaging including bottles and cans.
11. Buy high quality, hand-made, or craft gifts that will last.
12. Reuse last year’s Christmas jumper and santa hat for the office party.
13. Reuse bags for Christmas shopping.
14. Use a shopping list to reduce on food waste after Christmas.
15. Buy local to save on carbon miles while supporting the local economy.
16. Remember, shops are open again within days of Dec 25th!
17. Visit your local food banks with surplus food and drinks.
18. Seperate your plastic, paper and cardboard for easy recycling.
19. Use glass bottles rather than plastic.
20. Get the kids involve and thinking about reduce, reuse, recycle.

 Thinking of  2019

If you receive a gift this year that isn’t a favourite, try to share it with someone who will enjoy it.  Kids charities will also accept donations of unused toys as will schools and your local creche  Many families will receive great presents which will replace old or damaged electronic gadgets. You can recycle the old items at either your local recycling centre or at the shop where your electrical present was purchased.

Winter in Dublin City Centre

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2017 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves  TV’s and much more!

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle  IT Commended for CSR in the Community 2018

Visit our website for further details or call 01 4578321.

Happy Christmas 2018 and all the best for 2019.

Free Electronic Recycling Collections for Schools, Colleges….

Battery, Electrical and Electronic Recycling for Schools, Colleges…

Dublin schools, colleges and training organisations have the opportunity to recycle old and once valued electrical and electronic equipment over the coming month.  The service is offered free and is dedicated to reducing large amounts of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) which accumulates in classrooms, canteens, stores and labs over time.

Recycle IT, is a community based social enterprise, offering a simple and efficient route to recycle disused electrical and electronic items. After collection, items are broken down and recovered materials are processed for use in the manufacture of new product. Your recycling helps sustain our organisation and create employment and training opportunities.

The free collection service helps divert e-waste from landfill and makes use of old items that may have been thrown away. The types of items usually collected include computers, kitchen equipment, phone systems, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, monitors, projectors, printers, battery-operated toys, televisions and radios. Please click here for a full list 

We Recycle IT – Schools – Colleges – Trainers

Schools, Community and Fundraising 

Our schools collection service is organised as part of our free community collection service. We also support WEEE Ireland with collections of batteries from schools around Dublin which in turn supports the work of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.

During 2018 we worked with hundreds schools, colleges and training organisations all over Dublin and saw an overall increase in electrical equipment collected for recycling with a similar trend in 2017.  We encourage students, parents and teachers to get involved by taking in once loved electrical items from home (WEEE to School Day). We promote these type of initiatives to increase awareness of electrical recycling and encourage the next generation to recycle as a norm. Recycling electrical equipment might also help your school achieve or maintain your valued Green Flag

Recycle IT – Supporting Battery Recycling

Register an interest

Schools, colleges and trainers wishing to register or schedule a collection simply need to complete a registration form by clicking here or call our team on 01 4578321 between 9am and 3pm, Monday – Friday. Once you call or email we can help you plan and schedule your e-waste collection.

For more information about Recycle IT please click here.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT are an award-winning, not for profit, social enterprise established to create employment and promote environment awareness through recycling and reuse. We work in partnership with WEEE Ireland and are authorized by your local authority to provide electrical, electronic and pure metal recycling collections across Dublin since 2007. Recycle IT are fully compliant for WEEE collection with permit detail available here.

Recycle IT – Community Recycling Project of the Year 2017

 

Waste Reduction Week 2018!

European Waste Reduction Week 2018

European Waste Reduction Week is run yearly and starts November 17^th, 2018 running until Nov 25^th This year Recycle IT want to encourage small organisations to go green for the week and longer.

What does Recycling mean?

Recycling means any recovery operation taking place after collection and by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes. It includes the reprocessing of organic material but does not include energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be used as fuels or for back filling operations.

European Waste Reduction Week 2018 Support by Recycle IT

Recycle IT have assembled some easy to use office waste reduction tips and ideas which don’t cost much and will save you money in the long run!

Create a paperless office? – step by step!

It may be time to consider the idea by simply saying no to paper usage. Firstly, identify for what purposes you must use paper and how you can avoid paper use. Once you make the lists for both, then be sure to clearly announce the policy with timelines for change. then find a champions in the office to offer encouragement. Every office has an environmentally responsible person!

If your organisation must use paper, try to keep paper usage and waste to a minimum by

• Encouraging everybody in the office to edit documents on computers before printing.
• Store and share all office files digitally.
• Use both sides of a paper by setting up computers to automatically print on two-sided.
• Reuse small paper pieces for short memos.
• Stop using fax machines.
• Send report via email and share meeting documents using PowerPoint.
• Use al lighter weight papers in the office.
• Reuse envelopes by putting a label over the old address.
• Make use of electronic and voicemail and avoid paper mail wherever possible.
• Take actions to decrease unsolicited mail.
• Get a notice board or large screen to share information with colleagues
• Reduce spacing and margins when printing documents. (fit more on the page)
• Reuse, plastic sleeves, files and folders.
• Edit mailing lists to avoid sending unnecessary letter or post cards.
• Shredded paper can be recycled / repurposed as packaging filler for delivery boxes.
• Setup a ‘what’s app’ group to share general office information.

Office – Paperless Office

Waste Reduction Tips

• Although paper waste constitutes the largest portion of office waste, there are other types of waste which builds up over time so here are a few ideas!
• Purchase products with less packaging or with no packaging at all.
• Request that your office supplies be supplied in returnable containers and then return the emptied containers to the supplier on their next visit.
• Ask the suppliers to take packaging back for reuse or to enhance the feasibility for them to recycle large quantities of waste.
• Manage and reduce the number ink and toner cartridges purchased and used.
• Rent equipment that you use only occasionally rather than investing and storing in the workplace.
• Invest in high-quality everyday equipment that is durable, reusable and repairable.
• Encourage colleagues to have reusable cutlery, plates, and cups at their desks.
• Encourage staff teams to bring their lunch to work in reusable containers.
• Where opportunity permits introduce a compost or brown bin recycling at work
• Introduce waste education sessions to get staff buy in and keep staff updated on progress.
• Select plant landscaping that requires low maintenance and produces little waste.

Office Equipment Recycling.

Recycle electronic equipment, batteries, plastic, metal cans, and beverage containers. Consider developing a partnership with a local recycler if your office generates electronic or electrical waste.  It might benefit both organisations!

Electronic Office Waste

Don’t allow old or unused electrical or electronic equipment take up space and collect dust. The sooner it is recycled, the quicker that valuable resources will be available for reuse, thus avoiding the mining of virgin raw materials.

Reduce travel, reduce carbon emissions and save money through Skype meetings or video calls. Allow staff work at home to save time, money and the planet.

To define your organisation or office to truly be “Green” you should consider making all the products and services as environmentally friendly as possible. Start small and you will increasingly, recognise the value of environment sustainability in all organisational operations.

For more information please visit the European Waste Reduction Week website 

Good luck with your European Waste Reduction Week.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning and the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recycle IT offered collection services to 90,000 homes, school community organisations and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas each year collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, TV’s and much more.

Our services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland We are authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authority. Visit our website for further details on our work.

 

 

 

An Taisce – Be a Climate Ambassador

Climate Ambassador Programme 2019

The Climate Ambassador programme is Ireland’s first ever initiative to train and support individuals taking action on climate change. The programme is co-ordinated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce with support from the Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment.

Climate Ambassador Programme

An Taisce is a charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland’s natural and built heritage. They are an independent voice for the environment and for heritage issues. Founded in 1948, they are one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations. An Taisce are a member of the International National Trusts Organisation (INTO) and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Europe’s largest federation of environmental organisations with over 140 member organisations who gain their membership from the general public.

Effects of climate change

The effects of climate change can be felt here and now, at a local, national and global scale. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. Adapting to climate change and mitigating the adverse impacts is a growing concern in every community in Ireland. Becoming a Climate Ambassador gives you the opportunity and platform to do something really positive within your community.

Applications

An Taisce’s are now inviting applications for the 2019 Environmental Education Unit’s Climate Ambassador programme. The programme is open to secondary and third level students and adult members of the community. This includes primary teachers, members of other environmental groups, business people and anyone interested in learning more and taking action on climate change. Our strength is the diversity and passion of our volunteers.

If you’d like to learn more about climate change & communications, take action, share your experiences, and meet like-minded people while taking part in worthwhile events and having some fun, why not take part! The Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce have dedicated staff who will support you throughout your journey, provide training and organise various events throughout the year for you to attend as well as sharing any of your events through variouscommunication channels.

You can complete the application form on the Climate Ambassador home page, by clicking on the “Apply Now” button.

The first year of Climate Ambassadors has been a huge success so why not join An Taisce programme for it’s second year.

Climate Ambassador Logo

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning and the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise in Dublin providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recycle IT offered collection services to 90,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas each year collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, TV’s and much more.

Our services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland We are authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authority. Visit our website for further details on our work.

Recycle IT Pakman Awards Finalist 2018

Reuse Month 2018 – 41 Tips

Reuse Month 2018

Reuse is an easy way to protect our environment and climate while ensuring the wellbeing of our community over the coming years. The success of reuse depends on active participation of all member of the community. Young and old can make a difference and Reuse Month, starting October 1st 2018 is a great place to start!

Reuse Month 2017 – Supported by Recycle IT

By everyone doing a little, we all can reduce the amount of waste that is deposited in landfill or incinerated. Thinking about the reuse of materials made from recycled materials helps maintain the recycling circle and its part in the circular  economy.

We have listed 41 reduce and reuse tips – You might like some!

1. Bring your food to school or work using a reusable tub.
2. Rent or hire school books and school supplies (reuse).
3. Hire gardening tools that you only use occasionally.
4. Opt for long lasting low-energy light bulbs.
5. Give your unwanted clothes a second life – rework or reuse.
6. Research purchases e.g. appliances and televisions, to determine the most energy-efficient, durable, and repairable.
7. Choose to buy bars of soap rather than liquid soaps.
8. Think long life, durable and reuseable products e.g. razors or ink pens.
9. Use rechargeable batteries at home or in office appliances.
10. Avoid unnecessary purchasing of occasion products, e.g. Halloween, Christmas and Easter.
11. Offer virtual gifts, such as tickets for a show, sports event or concert leading to reduced material content.
12. Choose eco-friendly products – read the labels.
13. Buys product with less or no packaging.
14. Buy regular use products in bulk, e.g. tinned and jarred products.
15. Reuse shopping bags.
16. Try refillable products e.g. kids drinks or food pouches.
17. Reuse plastic bottles for water from the tap.
18. Bring a mug to work or the coffee shop for your daily coffee or tea.
19. Drink tap water in the office from a reusable glass or cup.
20. Prepared food at home for picnics while
21. Reuse flasks, tubs, knives, forks, and reusable carry bags
22. Use washable cloth napkins, sponges, and dish cloths.
23. Choose fresh food rather than processed food – healthier & less packaging.
24. Share files over email or file sharing. tools e.g. dropbox; to reduce printing.
25. Recycle and consider purchasing reused ink cartridges.
26. Reuse glass jars to store food, nails, screws and other useful household items.
27. Punch holes in small jam jar lids to create a cheese or spice shaker.
28. Approach office supply companies about purchasing used office equipment.
29. Use you bike for exercise – rather than taking the car to the gym.
30. Car share where distances are longer and where public transport is not accessible.
31. Use only what you need e.g. one paper napkin, one ketchup, one salt instead of a handfuls.
32. Take home any uneaten from restaurants in a doggie bag or box e.g. pizza
33. Reuse garden cuttings to create a composed natural fertilizer.
34. Share kids toys and books with family members and friends.
35. Buy books second-hand and share used books at work or with avid readers!
36. Remove lamp shades for reuse when recycling damaged lamps.
37. Reuse a bike daily for work and leisure.
38. Repair and reuse bike tyre tubes following a puncture.
39. Reuse old pillows as stuffing for new cushions.
40. Use both sides of the page when writing or drawing.
41. Give your kids part printed paper for doodling.

Reuse Books for Reuse Month 2018

Reuse Today

In Ireland reuse is a means to prevent solid waste entering the landfill or an incinerator. Reusing improves community relations, builds friendships and encourages sharing. Reuse through sharing saves time and gives products a second and third life.

Reusing older toys can make children happy and parents less stressed. Reusing or sharing items like, books, golf clubs, tennis rackets or bikes allows people test out a hobby and save some money if its not for them. Can you see the benefits?

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning and the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise in Dublin providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recycle IT offered collection services to 90,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas each year collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, TV’s and much more.

CSR Commended – Recycle IT

Our services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland We are authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authority. Visit our website for further.

Reduce, Repair, Reuse or Recycle Computers

Computers – the end of life options! 

Advances hardware and software on computers, laptops tablets and smart phones helps make IT equipment go out of date very quickly. The United Nations University (UNU) found that more than 44 million metric tonnes of electronic waste were generated globally in 2016, with just 20% documented as recycled.

Old Computers – Recycle IT

As technology continues to change better models of computers are released replacing existing models. As you keep up with the latest technology, you are likely have old computers sitting around. Old IT equipment can’t be disposed with other waste and as they get older reuse gets harder!

If you plan to replace a computer, tablet or phone at home or in the office make sure you keep all the leads, discs and instruction manuals to allow easier reuse.

Computers for Collection by Recycle IT

Recycle IT promote the Reduce, Repair, Reuse and Recycle model  – you will find some guidance below

Reduce

• Use your current computer equipment for as long as possible.
• Prior to new purchases research your IT needs. You should really know what you want from your computers, who will use the computer and for what purpose.
• This makes it easier to buy the right computer or laptop with the correct software installed. meaning the computer can serve you needs over a longer period.
• Check that your new computer can easily be upgraded without needing to be replaced.

Repair

• Get support with your IT challenges using on-line technical support groups.
• Find a computer shop or repair service close to you. A useful link – repairmystuff.ie
• Take your computer or laptop back to the store where you bought it for warranty support.
• Once informed about the choices, ask yourself, is repair worthwhile?

Reuse

• Approach a local community group, preschool or school and ask if they could benefit from reusing the item.
• Offer a useful computer to a younger member of the family.
• Donate to a charity. Call before taking computers to a charity shop as not every shop can accept electrical/electronic equipment.
• Remove personal data and passwords safely prior to reuse.

Recycle

• Drop off your old computer to Recycle IT in Dublin for free and safe recycling.
• Place your laptop or tables in a box and post to Recycle IT for safe recycling.
• Have computers and all related equipment collected for recycling. (free or fee-based collections offered).
• Recycle your really old IT for component reuse.

Hard Disk Drives – Dismantled – Recycle IT

Recycle IT – Creating Training and Jobs

Electronic items including computers which are unable to be refurbished and reused can be sent to Recycle IT at our Dublin based electronic recycling facility. IT equipment of all shapes and sizes is broken down for component parts and metal reuse. If more people, follow use this route to recycling our organisation can increase its overall sustainability and efforts to recycle. Chosing this option helps support jobs in the community and hlep with safe environmentally friendly recycling. Call our team on 01 4578321 to learn more!

Training and Work Experience – Recycle IT

Recycle IT  are an award-winning  community enterprise providing recycling collection and drop off services for all types of waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal items.

During 2017 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 90,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

2018 Reuse Month with Recylce IT

Residents Recycling – WEEE is Free

Residents Recycling; WEEE and Pure Metal

Like many Irish people you probably recycle lots of your household waste. 2016 figures from REPAK show that 98% of people in Ireland recycle in Ireland. The average household in Ireland recycled 71% of household waste in 2014 up from 65% in 2012. Overall Ireland is now 4th in Europe for packaging recycling. This is great news and well done on the paper and package front.

What about all the other types of waste accumulated in homes? As the year moves along Recycle IT want to encourage householders, families and children to think about the actions they can take to recycle more old or unwanted or stuff around your home. This can include books, clothes, games, batteries, phones and toys; the list is endless.

Recycle IT – Community Electrical Recycling

Recycle IT have a focus on recycling old, once loved and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal. If your cooker, hobs or battery operated toys, radio or phone is broken or surplus to requirements what do you do? Do you leave them to gather dust in the cupboard, attic or garden shed  or do you add them to the weekly rubbish? (out of sight, out of mind) Why not consider recycling now! We will except metal including out door heaters, bbq’s, old bikes, pots, pans and more…

Impacts

In 2017 Recycle IT contacted over 88,000 homes in Dublin about recycling electrical items and our penetration rate depending on area reached an average high of 28% with homes recycling one (+) items. The average recycled weight per home was approx 43.7KGs or the equivalent of one average household dishwasher.

Many of us simply don’t realize that items with a plug or battery can be reused, re-purposed or recycled. So if your TV’s, monitors, laptops or washing machine have become obsolete think about the positive impact you can make by recycling with Recycle IT.  You can help the environment, sustain jobs and create training opportunities by taking part in our residents recycling days.

TV Recycling By Recycle IT

12 Reasons to avail of Free WEEE Recycle

1. Recycling conserves resources e.g. metal, plastics, water, fuel.
2. Recycling reduces clutter and creates space.
3. Recycling helps reduce Co2 emissions.
4. Recycling saves energy.
5. Recycling helps protect the environment e.g climate change
6. Recycling reduces landfill.
7. Recycling reduces domestic waste charges.
8. Recycling help create and maintain local employment.
9. Recycling encourages others in your community to recycle.
10. Recycling using official locations or collections reduces dumping of waste.
11. Recycling helps our children learn about sustainability so involve your kids.
12. Recycling provides access to materials for repurposing and reuse by others

You can drop off your items free of charge with Recycle IT or arrange a residents association collection for you and all your neighbours once loved electronic toys, laptops, PCs, white goods, kitchen appliances, electric gardening tools, TV’s, old video games consoles and lots more.

Once received the items, they can be reused, re-purposed or recycled leading to an overall reduction in the number electrical items going to landfill or illegally shipped to third world countries. Another real benefit is the fact that our service helps create training and employment opportunities.

Recycle IT – Residents WEEE Collection – Dublin

What has been achieved in Ireland to date

• 90,000 ton reductions in CO2 emissions from Fridge Freezers.
• 75 million electrical appliances already collected through WEEE Ireland.
• A reduction in harmful batteries ending up in landfill.
• Fewer light bulbs found in domestic waste.
• Increased employment opportunities.
• Better overall environmental awareness.

Recycle IT an award winning community recycler wishes to build on Ireland’s recycling success story and help increase the 7.6 kg of waste electronic and electrical equipment recycled per person, per year. We are inviting resident associations and community groups including tidy towns to speak with us about arranging a FREE collection in your area over the coming months.

Our recycling service is provided FREE to resident associations and communities  in South Dublin, Dublin City and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown with surronding areas in Wicklow and Kildare also serviced so please give us a call to learn more and arrange a residents collection for your area.

Please call us on 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie.

Remember dropping into our site in Clondalkin is also FREE, Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 3pm. We can also arrange a cost-effective personal collection with a few days of order. Call 014578321 now for more information

Recycle IT are Repak Community Recycler of the Year 2017

 

Sharing News on 2 Upcoming Events

The Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI) is the only community reuse and recycling network operating on the island, it has, along with its members, the potential to play a unique and valuable role in the development of resource efficiency and circular economy initiatives at both local and national levels.

CRNI is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the National Waste Prevention Programme. The network is on the board of the RREUSE network of Europe, and at a local level is involved in the National Waste Prevention Network and EcoTourism Ireland. The Community Reuse Network Ireland are delighted to announce CRNI’s biennial conference will take place on 27th September 2018 at the Smock Alley Theatre. With speakers from across retail, local authorities and research institutes, this conference will explore from all angles in a highly interactive way how to change habits to make reuse part of our everyday lives at home and in business.

Community Reuse Network Ireland Conference 2018

Two ticket types are available – a full day conference and half day (afternoon session). Click here for more. On the evening of Sept 26th CRNI and the Eastern Midlands Waste Region are delighted to invite you to attend Social Enterprise: Innovators for a Circular Economy, an evening reception highlighting the important role of social enterprise in driving the Circular Economy agenda.

Social Enterprise

This event, part of an EU-wide campaign by DG GROW to showcase social enterprise, will involve stories and conversations with three innovative social enterprise in the reuse and recycling sector. It will provide an opportunity to network with other social enterprise with music, wine and finger food. The evening’s programme is available here. Ticket are availalbe, click here for more We look forward to seeing you at both events! About Recycle IT Recycle IT  are an award-winning  community enterprise providing recycling collection and drop off services for all types of waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal items. During 2017 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 90,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s. Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Sharing News – World Cleanup Day Dublin 2018

World Cleanup Day

On 15 September 2018, volunteers and partners worldwide will come together to rid our planet of trash by cleaning up litter and mismanaged waste from our beaches, rivers, forests, and streets.

World Cleanup Day harnesses the power of everyday people to achieve incredible things by joining together. Its beauty lies in cooperation and collaboration: building bridges between disparate communities, and including all levels of society – from citizens, to business, to government.

World Clean Up Day 2018

Get Involved

There are lots of ways to get involved with World Clean Up Day in Dublin  but the best ways include joining an event list below or taking the step and create your own cleanup event.

• Dublin City Centre: Meet at St Stephen’s Green at 3 – 4.30 pm
• SICCDA in D8: Meet at Little Flower Centre, 11 Meath Street at 12 noon
• Tallaght LitterMugs: Meet at the Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght at 10am – 12pm
• JCI Dun Laoghaire: Meet at the Ferry Terminal at 12-3pm
• Edenmore: Meet at St. Monica’s Church at 12pm
• Dodder Action Group: River Dodder/Whitestown Stream, Killinarden, Tallaght at 12pm
• Monkstown TidyTowns: Meet at Salthill & Monkstown Railway Station at 10.30am to 12.30pm
• Phibsboro TidyTowns: Meet at Phibsboro Library at 10am – 12pm

The events in Dublin and other location please visit the Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/worldcleanupdayie

DIY – Clean Up

The five simple steps listed below can be used to help organise a Clean-Up:

1. When & What time – Decide where you want to do it and what time, e.g. our local park at 12pm
2. Okay Equipment – Contact your local council to okay it, get equipment and agree on a place to pick up the rubbish when you are finished.
3. Get a partner/sponsor – Organise a thank-you partner like a drink at the local coffee shop or a little party
4. Invite people you know, maybe create a Facebook event and link to this page, do a poster or make a video using logos and images
5. Enjoy & share Enjoy it, share photos or videos online of your team and all the rubbish you collected and hashtag #worldcleanupday

Tips to stay safe and healthy on the day.

• Each volunteer should have, good gloves to keep their hands clean. Each group should have litter pickers and sacks. It recommended that you never touch litter even if are wearing gloves.
• High visibility clothing will help you be seen but it does not make you bullet proof. Stay off roads where possible. “Be Safe Be Seen”.
• Manual handling: Take your time and don’t do too much. If something is heavy don’t struggle; ask for help.
• Persons under 18 should be supervised. It is suggested that a ratio of at least one adult to every five children taking part.
• Take part in group and align yourself to your local cleanup event.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise in Dublin providing a neighbourhood collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2017 Recycle IT offered collection services to 90,000 homes, community groups and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, computers, cookers and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT – Shortlisted for CSR in 2018

Recycling for Reuse – start with old metal

Reusing for Change

Recycling in Ireland has become increasingly important in both homes and organisations. It helps to address aims such as waste cost reduction, waste management, better use of limited resources, and leads to a reduction the amount of waste going to landfill and incineration.

Mountains of Metal

The five R’s of recycling (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle) can be very helpful in reducing usage and waste of items including paper, plastics, glass, cardboard and metals in there many shapes and forms.

We believe people sometimes forget to recycle metal for reuse!  Recycling old bikes, lockers, shelves, pots and pans all made from metal helps reduce pollution, saves resources, reduces waste going for landfill or incineration and prevents the destruction of natural habitats lost through mining new ore.

Iron Ore Mining 

Recycle IT view our recycling facility as a metal mine in Dublin city, rich with resources that can be reused to preserve the environment, at a fraction of the cost of mining and refining metals sourced directly from the earth.

Old or scrap metal is not waste or rubbish, it is a continuous and reusable resource found all around us and takes the form of heaters, metal tables, chairs, shelves, BBQs and much more. Scrap metal is one of our most precious resources. Why? Because it can be melted to form new products repeatedly. Metal is a resource that never stops giving back so why not bring all your old metal items both large and small free to Recycle IT.

Environmental Benefits

Metal recycling conserves natural resources by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and using less energy than produced when mining. The production of new metal releases a far greater amount of greenhouse gas emissions compared with making products from recycled metal. These emissions may influence climate, the natural environment, levels of air pollution and general health and wellbeing. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) reports that recycling metal may cut greenhouse gas emissions by 300 million to 500 million tons. By reusing scrap metal instead of virgin ore, related mining waste and water related to processing is greatly reduced.

Old Scrap Metal

Energy Benefits

Generally the amount of energy saved depends on the material being recycled, almost all recycling operations result in energy savings. The American Geosciences Institute reported that over 89 million tons of municipal solid waste (food, plants, glass, boxes, cans, batteries, electronics, plastics, etc.) were recycled or composed in the USA saving over 322,000 GWh of energy¹¹ – enough to provide electricity to 30 million homes.

The amount of energy saved using various recycled metals compared to virgin ore can be 92 % for aluminium, 90 % for copper and 56 % for steel According to the U.S. EPA, if you recycle one average size drink can, you can save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for approx. four hours.

Economic Benefits

Recycling metal with Recycle IT helps maintain jobs and can create new training and employment opportunities as we recycle more. If you have old metal at home or in the office drop it off for free to our social enterprise. You won’t get paid a premium, but you will be supporting us manage training and employment opportunities in South Dublin.

Stainless Steel from Homes

Yearly Reuse 

Recycle IT as a member  Community Reuse Network works to promote National Reuse Month as a yearly waste prevention initiative to raise awareness about the economic and environmental benefits of reusing everyday items and materials that would otherwise go to waste. Throughout October each year, there are events to promote ways for families, businesses and communities to reuse. For more information on Reuse and Reuse Month contact the Community Reuse Network Ireland by clicking here

Arrange to Recycle 

Remember you can arrange a free drop off or cost-effective  collection of old  pure metal, electrical and electronic items by calling our team on 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie – collection are free to schools, colleges, community groups and charities.

Recycle IT – Repak Award Winner 2017

 

 

Sharing CRNI News

The Community Reuse Network Ireland are delighted to announce CRNI’s biennial conference will take place on 27th September 2018 at the Smock Alley Theatre.

With speakers from across retail, authorities and research institutes, this conference will explore from all angles in a highly interactive way how to change habits to make reuse part of our everyday lives at home and in business.

Community Reuse Network Ireland Conference 2018

Two ticket types are available – a full day conference and half day (afternoon session).

Those attending for the full day will hear about current attitudes towards reuse and consumption in general, as well as successful campaigns and tools being used to encourage more sustainable behaviour. Speakers include Eamon Ryan TD, the EPA, Oxfam, Zero Waste Scotland, ReCreate, VOICE, WRAP UK and IKEA. This ticket will also include lunch and access to the afternoon session.

The afternoon-only ticket will give access to an exciting journey mapping workshop exploring cultural probes hosted by Simon O’Rafferty as well as talks and a discussion on Cultivating a Repair culture, involving the Sustainable Consumption Institute Manchester, Hubbub, Rediscovery Centre and University of Limerick.

General admission for the day costs €40.00. If you are a CRNI members entry is free but you must register. Click here for the free and fee registration.

The Community Reuse Network Ireland look forward to seeing you there and you can learn more about the network here

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise and member of CRNI. We provide a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

To speak with Recycle IT please call 01 4578321 or email us at here

A Common Question – What is Electrical Recycling?

Where we are! 

Today adults and children at home, in school or at work find themselves using a range of consumer items which contain electrical or electronic components. Think about the school whiteboard, the office safe, speakers, networking equipment, radios, TV’s, power tools, camera’s, fire alarms, printers, scanners and lots more.

Answering the question!

WEEE is defined as waste electrical and electronic equipment. It is usually end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment and covers virtually everything which once had or currently has a plug or battery. It can be classed as both domestic and commercial WEEE with some electrical items used both at home and in the workplace, for example, a kettle for makng tea or coffee.  For a downloadalbe list of items, click here

Recycling WEEE

Any appliance or equipment that operates on electricity or batteries has the potential to cause damage to our environment if it is not disposed of in a safe and responsible manner.

The average product life-cycle of electronic goods is becoming shorter and the amount of outdated, damaged or broken equipment that is being thrown away is increasing all the time. Dealing with the waste which households and organisations produces is a specialist role and one which if carried out well can improve our environment.

Everyday electrical and electronic waste items include:

• Large household appliances (refrigerators/freezers, washing machines, dishwashers)
• Small household appliances (toasters, coffee makers, irons, hair dryers)
• Information technology (IT) and telecommunications equipment (personal computers, telephones, mobile phones, laptops, printers, scanners, photocopiers)
• Consumer electronics (televisions, stereo equipment, electric toothbrushes, transistor radios)
• Lighting equipment (fluorescent lamps and LED bulbs)
• Electrical and electronic tools (handheld drills, saws, screwdrivers)
• Toys (PlayStation, Xbox, Wii)
• Medical equipment systems (excluding implanted and infected products)
• Monitoring and control instruments (security and alarm equipment)
• Automatic dispensers.
• Cables and wire.

Recycle IT have complied a comprehensive list of electrical equipment which you can recycle. The list can be viewed or downloaded in PDF format by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom of the webpage

Personal Computer (PC) Recycle IT

What to do?

As consumers of WEEE we are all required to ensure electrical or electronic items are only disposed for recycling at an authorised waste facility (permitted by the Local Authority or Licensed by the EPA). These can include your Dublin based Authority Civic Amenity Facilities or a local retailer on behalf of a compliance scheme (for example WEEE Ireland) Recycle IT also have a recycling facility in Dublin and offer a free drop off service for old (home and small office equipment) electrical equipment.

You may also have your WEEE collected by a permitted waste collector. Recycle IT have a collector permitted to transport WEEE and can help homes and organisations in Dublin and the surrounding areas with collections.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

To speak with Recycle IT please call 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT – Award Winners

40 Reuse Tips – Summer 2018

Reuse Summer 2018

For generations in Ireland and across Europe thrift was one of the main reasons for reuse.  In the developing world it’s still the case and leads to very high levels of reuse.  In Ireland as in other developed countries rising wages and greater consumer purchasing power has increased demand for convenience products.

Coffee Cup – Imaged Sourced from 1 Million Women

Convenience products have help us undervalue reuse in favor of disposal or recycling.  Recycling is positive and has great benefits but uses resources including time, human capital and natural resources (e.g. fuel) to get the items to locations where they can be recycled effectively. Reuse is preferrable!

If you can reuse an item yourself, it can help save money, save time, and the environment Reuse helps reduced CO2 emissions and the mining of  new raw materials.  Reuse can be a matter of thinking a little differently and figuring out how old milk cartons, cans, bags, bicycles, tires, packing or wood maybe reuse to match your needs. Reuse will truly find a new life for items around your home or workplace.

We created some reuse tips for reuse month in October 2016. We have now updated the list and are reusing the tips during summer 2018 – Have a read and see what you can do!

Reuse Water for Good

40 Tips 

1. Create reusable lunch boxes or storage containers from large plastic ice cream tubs.
2. After a picnic or BBQ, wash and save plastic knives, forks and spoons then store for your next outdoor event.
3. Reuse large plastic milk container to water garden plants rather than a hose: pierce small holes in the top side of the container and fill with water for slow, steady and simple watering.
4. Harvest seeds from fruit and vegetables and try to grow them!
5. Use paper egg cartons or toilet paper tubes (both are biodegradable) to start growing seeds into plants. They can be dropped right into the soil once strong enough.
6. Turn toilet rolls or paper towel tubes into playthings for children or nesting materials for your small pets.
7. Create egg carton crafts
8. Store printed pictures and photos in poly pockets to reduce the aging effects from humidity, damp and light.
9. Use old wine corks to create a floating key ring; your keys won’t sinking while at the pool, beach or lake.
10. Use a 2-liter plastic bottle to create a bird feeder.
11. Used cold bacon fat in a tuna or cat food tin to feed you feathered friends, just hang from a tree or post in the garden.
12. Put old newspaper under a tablecloth to offer protection against spills.
13. Clean your window on Monday with Sundays newspapers (instead of paper towel)
14. Place an open jar or bowl of dried, used coffee grounds in your refrigerator or freezer to neutralize odors.
15. Keep a jar of dried, used coffee grounds to use with washing up liquid. It acts as a scouring agent for baked on food
16. Placed used coffee grounds in a ring around garden plants to keep bugs and slugs away.
17. Refresh your eyes fresh with chilled and dampened tea bags taken from the fridge.
18. Cut old bike tire tubes tube into strips to make rubber bands in custom sizes.
19. Cut or shred paper or thin card into eco-friendly packing material for presents or parcels.

    

    Reuse IT – Washing Machine Drum Light

20. As kids out grow coloring pencils, pens and art supplies try donating them to your local school.
21. Empty bottles, sweet boxes and biscuit tins can be used as small screw holders, tool boxes, sewing kit or cake holders.
22. Collect old soap ends in to stocking leg and keep by an outdoor tap, ensuring you have hand wash for outside use.
23. Cut up old t-shirts and use them to clean up messy spills around the house and in the garage.
24. Used an old adult t-shirt as painting overalls for your kids – saves washing clothes.
25. Old tights make great rags for cleaning, dusting and shining
26. Old tights can be reused as sleeves for storing posters, wallpaper rolls, wrapping paper or anything else that needs to stay rolled up.
27. Cut the legs of old jeans for make supper cool shorts for summer.
28. Use banana peels to shine your shoes. Rub the inside of the peel on shoes, then shine with a soft cloth.
29. Turn bread heals into breadcrumbs once dried out. Just blitze.
30. Use the peels of juiced lemons and limes to make zest and twists, which can be dried or frozen for later use.
31. Use juiced citrus fruit halves sprinkled with salt to clean stainless steel and other metal fixtures.
32. Add a piece of orange peel to brown sugar to ensure it stays soft.
33. Don’t throw away half used copy books, up-cycle into kid’s  drawing books.
34. Unravel woolen jumpers and knit something new for you!
35. Reused material from 3 or 4 broken umbrellas to assemble a retro style rain poncho.
36. Jars can be cleaned and used to store homemade jams, preserves or even as desk organizer for pens, paper clips or pencils.
37. Save old toothbrushes to scrub hard to reach places, like grout, sinks or behind water taps.
38. Collect broken china to re-tile outdoor tables, flower pots or paths.
39. Hang old clothes drawers or washing machine drums on the wall to create shelves or used them as storage boxes.
40. Reuse water from washing and/or cooking vegetables at home to water plants internally and externally 

Waste is Treasure! 

We all know one person’s waste is another person’s treasure. Instead of discarding unwanted tools, clothes or electrical appliances, try reuse with friends or donating them can reduce waste and help others save money.

Local community groups, charity shops, schools and nonprofit organisations may accept a variety of donated items, including used books, paint, working toys and unneeded furniture. Please click here to learn more

Reuse IT – Milk Carton – Water Carton

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not for profit social enterprise providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2017 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to approx 90,000 homes and organisations across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, computers and TV’s. Recycle IT also work with communities across Dublin to support reuse

Visit our website for further details.

Reycle IT Shortlisted for CSR Awards 2018

Corporate Social Responsibility Awards

Recycle IT are delighted to be announced for the second year in a row as one of the organisations shortlisted for a Chambers Ireland 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility award.

Our organisation is in good company with over eighty organisations across fourteen award categories shortlisted for an award. Recycle IT has been selected in the small and medium enterprise category for our Residents Electrical Recycling Initiative.

Chambers Ireland

These prestigious Irish Awards celebrate motivated companies which work towards and achieve high standards of corporate social responsibility. The awards recognise and honour the companies and people focused on doing their best.

Corporate Social Responsibility aims to ensure that companies or organisations conduct their business in a way that is ethical. This can mean taking account of their social, economic and environmental impact, and consideration of human rights.

It involves a range of activities including:

1. Working in partnership with local communities
2. Socially responsible investment (SRI)
3. Developing relationships with employees and customers
4. Environmental protection and sustainability

Across the fourteen categories named in CSR Awards many leading Irish and international organisations have shown that they are at the forefront of CSR through a range of projects and activities both internally and externally to their workplace. Many focus on actions related to four points noted above.

Ireland aims to be recognised as a centre of excellence in CSR

The Government’s vision as set out in the National Plan on CSR “Towards Responsible Business” 2017 – 2020, is that ‘Ireland be recognised as a centre of excellence for responsible and sustainable business practice and this is a goal for those who have entered the awards including Recycle IT.

Towards Responsible Business: Ireland’s National Plan on CSR 2017-2020

Well done!

Recycle IT wish offer congratulations to all who have participated and best of luck to those short-listed. For a full list of shortlisted organisations and more information please visit the Chambers Ireland website 

The Awards Ceremony will take place on the evening of Thursday, 20th of September 2018.

About Recycle IT

Recylce IT offer free and cost effective electrical, electronic and metal recycling collections across Dublin and surronding areas. To learn more about Recycle IT, a not for project, social enterprise please visit www.recycleit.ie 

Schools, colleges, community groups, residents groups and charities can give Recycle IT  a call on 01 4578321 to learn more and book a free colleciton.

Partner and Supporter Logos 2018

 

Bogus – Fake – Phony – Recycling Collections

Often during the year you receive a flyer promoting a free recycling days for old or used items.  These collections can be for household or office equipment including clothes, metal, electrical or garden tools. Great you think! I can declutter my home, but do you dare to think these collectors might not be regulated or legal?

COUNTY COUNCIL across Dublin a different times have warned residents to ignore these type of paper recycling flyers that has been put through letterboxes

These flyer advertises a ‘Free Recycling Day’ with the opportunity to dispose all sorts of things; car batteries, laptops, TVs, wardrobes and much more, stuff that wouldn’t be allowed in a regular recycling bin and usually need a paid collection.

Fake Flyer on Photocopied on White Paper 

These flyers are bogus, should be ignored and handing items over can lead to illegal dumping of your stuff.

Bogus Recycling – a reality

Think about it, when you take the time to carry your old TV or radio down the stairs, you might actually be handing it over to someone who simply loads it up onto a truck for delivery to a developing country or alternatively takes a few part out and leaves the remainder on an Irish county road in the dark of night.

Is handing these items over to a no name individual in non authorised or licensed van the right choice?

Unwanted and Dumped Recycling

Unofficial Collectors 

Depending on market prices collector can generate an income by sending products to other countries or by simply by dumping the items. This is particularly true for recycling computer, tablets, TV’s monitors, printers and other electronic items. Recycling electrical and electronic items officially costs more in Europe but collector can get paid for exporting them to buyers in developing countries who will remove the metals for resale but won’t pay to protect their staff or their communities from the toxics emissions and waste.

As the price of metal increases washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers are becoming increasingly attractive items for unofficial recyclers. These items are stripped locally and unprofitable waste is disposed of in hedge rows and fields making our communities untidy, dismal and possibly toxic places to live.

Costs of Illegal Dumping

One example of waste costs comes from Dublin City Council who spends on average €55,000 every month dealing with illegal dumping around the city, that’s nearly €700,000 per year (Source: Dublinlive.ie).  This money and similar amounts from other county council areas could be saved and reinvested in local communities if illegal collection and dumping could be stopped.

Electrical Waste for Collection – Recycle IT

The disposal of rubbish in any area of land in Ireland without licensed approval and permission,  is illegal. It is punishable by fines from €150 up to €10 million upon conviction and 10 years’ imprisonment. In order know more about a bogus collection, we have compiled the list below.

14 tips on spotting a Bogus Recycling Collection?

1. The leaflet presenting the collections service are low quality.
2. The collector does not provide a waste facility address on leaflets
3. The waste facility license number is not visible on the leaflet.
4. There is no landline telephone listed on printed materials.
5. The phone is never answered when called.
6. An email address is omitted from the flyer or poster.
7. The collector has no website or social media presence.
8. Collection vehicles don’t have a waste collection permit number on display. (required by law)
9. Collections are made outside of traditional business hours.
10. Collection representatives don’t have any formal identification.
11. Only certain waste items are collected i.e. the most valuable.
12. A bogus charity maybe named on the collection flyers or posters.
13. No help or support is offered to move or lift heavy electrical items from homes or businesses.
14. No personal service or advice is offered on recycling different products.

It’s complicated!

It’s not an easy process to determine whether a recycler is exporting or illegal dumping your once loved stuff including electrical or electronic waste like hairdryers or phones. You can’t just go by what they say! Some will use environmental or charitable causes that sound good, but they are still unofficial. If you have a gut feeling it’s not right, follow that feeling and don’t leave the items out for collection.

Ask yourself the question – Who’s Paying?

One way to determine an official collector v unofficial collector is to figure out who is paying the recycling cost. If it’s free for you to recycle, then who is paying? A manufacturer? The State? Local Authority? If you are not paying, and there is no clear sponsor paying the costs for collection and recycling, please question the validity of the collector.  For example, Recycle IT is social enterprises who received some funds and also generate an income from responsible recycling.

Official Electrical Recycling Collection – Recycle IT

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise in Dublin providing a neighbourhood collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2016 Recycle IT offered collection services to 100,000 homes, community groups and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, computers, cookers and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT – Pakman Award Winner 2016

Visit our website for further details or call 01 4578321.

Plastic Free July 2018

Can you Refuse’ Single-use Plastic?

As you know lots of electrical, electronic and metal items have a plastic cover or coating. When these items are recycle the plastic is removed and mainly reused in new products but what can be done about everyday plastic’s?

In July 2018 people all over the world are aiming to exclude plastic bottles, cutlery, fruit packing, coffee cup lids and other common plastic waste items from their daily life, opting instead for reusable containers or those made from biodegradable materials.  We think this is a great idea!

Single Use Plastic Bottles

The vision started in Western Australia in 2011 and has since moved across the world to help promote and stop the earth becoming further saturated with plastic materials which are part of  our convenience lifestyle.

Lots of items are designed to be used once and disposed off . They fill up bins in homes, work, schools and on streets across the world including Ireland with Irish town and city bins full to capacity most of the time.

Ireland and some other countries have made some progress with tax on one-use plastic bags which reduced usage but problems still exist with millions of plastics  bags, cutlery, bottles plates and cartons used daily.

Single Use Fruit Cartons

This usage is rapidly increasing the amount of non-biodegradable product on the earth. These plastics may be cheap and convenient, but it’s having real consequences. Plastic is polluting our land, air and oceans; it is harming our marine life and even invading our bodies with Microbeads everywhere.

Where to start – We have added 10 Tips to help

BRING YOUR OWN BAG: Get yourself a couple of good cloth bags and leave them in the car or beside the front door so you’ll always have them on hand.

DON’T BUY BOTTLED WATER: Get some reusable bottles and fit a cost-effective water filter to the taps in your home.

FRUIT CARTONS:  Avoid plastic fruit and vegetables packaging. A single plastic produce carton can take more than 1000 years to degrade so shop for un-packaged fruit and veg when you can or leave the plastic with the store.  They will get the idea!

DAILY COFFEE: Take away coffee cups are lined with plastic and often can’t be recycled. Take your own coffee cup or have a sit-down coffee using the cafe’s cups.

PACK A LUNCHBOX:  Use a good sturdy lunchbox with separate compartments, to allow you to pack food straight into separately, eliminating the need for plastic wrapping and avoid plastic-wrapped snack foods like biscuits or bars. Try making some at home, it cheaper and somewhat healthier.

PLASTIC FOOD WRAP: Buy some stainless steel or long plastic  containers to help eliminate the need for single life plastic food wrapping.

STRAWS: If you really want a straw, buy reusable straws.

CUT PLASTIC CUTLERY: Plastic cutlery is another single-use plastic item you can avoid. Keep some reusable cutlery in your lunch or picnic bag.

SOURCE A SODA MAKER: This helps reduce the amount of plastic soft drinks bottles purchased, used and disposed off in your home and office weekly.

SHOP WISE: Ask your local shop and supermarket to make the change away from plastic or vote with you feet until they do. It will happen and think about all the waste which won’t enter your waste and the related time saved.

Choosn to Refuse – Plastic Straws

Plastic Free July 2018 – what to do! 

Just join the challenge and ‘Choose To Refuse’ single-use plastic during July. You can assist in acheiving the goals of  having a world without plastic waste.  Will you join and give up? If so learn more, and sign up at www.plasticfreejuly.org

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Last year Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 100,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Offices – 27 Tips to Reduce Waste and Save!

Green Office – Home Office – Any Office

Office waste mainly consists of electrical, electronic, cardboard, paper, packaging  and food waste, all of which can be reused, recycled or composted.

Mixed waste may also turn up in your office. Items like glass or plastic bottles, plastic cups, coffee cups and sandwiches wrappers. These items can all be segregated and recycled in the office or you could encourage staff to use reusable coffee cups or tupperware.

Office Waste Tips – Recycle IT

The benefits of introducing a reduce, reuse and recycling programme in your office include.

• Big savings over time on waste disposal costs.
• Boost to staff moral by having a focus on reduce, reuse and recycling.
• Demonstrates the organisations commitment to the environment.
• Enhanced public perception of your organisation as a green organisation.
• Promotes a green agenda to others with whom you trade.

Below you will find some tips that can be easily implemented and integrated into the day-to-day running of the office and office building. They may result in reduced office supplies usage, time ordering and money spent.

Reduce Office Supplies – Do you need them?

27 Tip on How to Reduce Office Waste

1. Reduce the amount of paper accumulated in the office.
2. Only print the amount needed and limit the distribution of copies to those that really use them.
3. Use e-mail or instant messages to save on paper, time and money.
4. Data and reports can be stored or presented from memory sticks or the cloud, to save paper
5. Single spacing can be used as a format when printing reports.
6. Photocopy and print double-sided.
7. Before printing multiple copies, print a single copy. Check this one copy.
8. Research purchasing printers which print double-sided copies only.
9. Draft documents can be reviewed on-screen before printing.
10. print drafts on old or used paper
11. Scrap paper can be used to make note pads to take phone messages.
12. Printing and photocopying should be carried out only when it is necessary.
13. Have a centralised office filing system. This reduces the need for multiple files, save time and money.
14. Enable the reuse of paper envelopes by putting a label on top of the old address.
15. If paper is used try lighter weight papers for everyday internal task.
16. Electrical and electronic office equipment including computers should only be purchased as needed. This is to cut down on excess equipment sitting in the store, going out of date.
17. Regularly service office equipment, particularly computers, photocopiers and printers, to prolong their lifespan.
18. When equipment reaches its end of life use a registered and licensed electrical and electronic recycler to ensure equipment is safely made ready for reuse and recycling.
19. Employees should regularly empty out their desk and return any unwanted office supplies to the stationery cupboard.
20. Free or online newspaper subscription can reduce the amount of paper to be recycled.
21. Cancel any unwanted magazine or newspaper subscriptions to avoid unwanted waste accumulating.
22. Office announcements can be posted online, sent via email or posted once in a centralised monitor or TV screen.
23. Consider renting office equipment that you use only occasionally rather than having to store it in the workplace.
24. Encourage colleagues to bring lunch to work in reusable containers.
25. Encourage management have reusable silverware, plates and cups and a small coffee station in the office.
26. Research and action purchasing products with less packaging or with no packaging at all.
27. All employees should be encouraged to move to a paperless office – Develop a short and simple plan!

Dublin Office Waste

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Last year Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 100,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT Logo

 

Electronic Data Safety for Homes and Small Offices

PC and Laptop Hard Disk Drives!

Did you know that multinational Hard Disk Drive producers Seagate and Western Digital share over 85% of the market. Correspondingly, the growth or decline in hard drive shipments for desktops and laptops by both Seagate and Western Digital are closely related to global desktop and laptop sales.

RTE reported that sales of personal computers were expected to decline by 2.7%  in 2017 with technology research firm IDC predicting that PC shipments will fall by 4% in 2018.

IDC estimated that the decline will continue beyond 2018, with PC sales falling to 393.8 million in 2021, compared to 423.3 million in 2017. They also say, detachable tablets are expected to see double-digit growth from 2018 through 2021, so change is in the air.

Recycle IT – Detachable Tablet

Creating Data

Even with PC sales slowing we are all still large consumers of information and we’re buying lots of electronic equipment which include hard disk drives (HDD) to store business and personal customer data including photos of everything from our kids to bank statements and passwords.

Did you know that 90% of the data on the internet has been created since 2016. The is according to an IBM Marketing Cloud study which suggests individuals, organisations, and devices have all become data creators which are turning out vast amounts of information to the internet daily.

Is Data Really Green _ Recycle IT

Whether data is stored on external HDD, mobile phones, tablets, memory cards, memory keys or other storage devices people should be aware how important it is to destroy and recycle safely once the items have served their purpose. Both business and personal data can be valuable to others so it’s important to destroy the data on your PC, phone, memory card or tablet.

You might be thinking, what will I do with all that information stored on the HDD before recycling a PC?  If so, please don’t try to burn or use magnetic forces on the devices as these methods are not full proof or safe!

What to Do next?

The key is to destroying your computer HDD is ensuring it can’t ever spin again. The physical destruction of the drive means increased confidence that stored data is obliterated and can never be used again. This is the method Recycle IT prescribe and practice.

Hard Drive Destruction – Recycle IT

In the interest of time and money you don’t need to destroy the full PC or laptop, just the hard disk drive (HDD) which is a small box inside of computer, servers or laptop. Each drvie can contain sensitive information like credit card information, photos or customer contact details. So if you are upgrading to a new computer device (desktop computer, phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) please arrange for removal of the hard drive at the same time as recycling the computer!

How to Destroy Date – The HDD?

If you are looking to dispose of an old computer with a hard drive, it’s really best to physically destroy the old hard drive just to be 100% certain that the old data is completely destroyed.  Recycle IT use electronic tools and powerful cutting tools to ensure the HDD is destroyed. This method is an ideal option for disposal of home or office hard drives.

Hard Disk Drive – Recycle IT

 

Safety in Destruction

When a hard drive is erased, files and directories are deleted, but actual data can remain.  This data can be retrieved using IT skills and available software, leaving confidential information vulnerable to identity theft, intellectual property theft, and other violations of privacy and confidentiality.  Data destruction services includes the physical destruction of the hard drive and the secure disposal of remaining electronic and metal parts.

Our team take every precaution from wearing protective goggles, gloves, and a dust mask for mouth and nose when cutting into the metal drive. They can cut right through the drive, from one side to the other multiple times ensuring the platters and the controller board are shattered.  Recycle IT can also provide destruction and disposal certification depending on your needs.

Finally

It’s worth making the point again – failure to arrange destruction of your old hard drives at the time of recycling your computer or phone could result in the inappropriate sharing of sensitive information.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

To speak with Recycle IT please call 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Environmental Health Friendly Cycling and Bike Recycling

Environment and Bikes !

The bike is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally sustainable means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health. With this in mind the United Nations General Assembly decided to deadicate the 3rd of June as World Bicycle Day – What a great vision Added to World Environment Day on June 5th and were on a real winner!

These days encourage awareness and action on health, wellbeing and the protection of our environment. World Environment Day is the “people’s day” for doing something to take care of the Earth. Recycle IT believe these two “UN” days can work in harmony!

Family Park Cycling

World Bicycle Day aims to emphasize and advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people, promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance, mutual understanding and respect and facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace. All these aims can really be achieved using a bike while aslo helping us travel without creating carbon miles.

Celebrate the bicycle

Initiatives promote cycling at both national and local levels can help build physical and mental health and well-being and develop a sustainalbe and environmentally freindly culture of cycling in society.

Reuse Dublin Bikes

National Bike Week

Bike Week in Ireland is a celebration and promotion of all that’s great about bikes and cycling. Held in June of each year bike themed events are organised by Irish local authorities, community groups and cycling groups throughout Ireland  You can learn more about and maybe take part next year by visiting bikeweek.ie

Here are 8 reasons to celebrate the bike (some encouragement)

1. The bicycle is a simple, affordable, reliable and clean way to get about.
2. The bike is environmentally friendly and is a sustainable means of transportation;
3. The bicycle can serve as a tool for social, community and economic development
4. Cycling can help people access education, health care and sporting activities.
5. The union between the bicycle and the user creates and immediate awareness of the local environment you are cycling through.
6. Using a bike saves time, reduces traffic and helps you arrive on time.
7. The bike has a positive impact on climate with fewer carbon emissions.
8. Biking can help grow your social circles, real friends and enjoyment of life.

Encourage Cycling and Environmental Awareness.

Recycle IT want to encourage as many people as possible to read and share this blog post. Then throughout the symmer weeks months take the bike out and bring friends and family along to discover you local environment.

As the summer sun shines there is no better time to get on the bike and grow your awareness of the local area. This can happen in the full knowledge that you are improving your health and reducing environmental harm.

Cycling in Dublin City

Recycle IT and Bike Recycling

Recycle IT are happy to accept old bikes for free recycling. Just drop your old bike off with us Monday to Friday in Clondalkin. We also accept bikes from communities all over Dublin as part of our free door to door community collection service.

Reuse

Members of the Recycle IT team not only recycle bikes but cycle regularly. Where possible we reuse and recycle bikes and bike parts.  At the time of writing this post we have a staff member waiting to get a bike frame and parts for reuse and another who just rebuild a bike from recycled parts. Once on the road the these bikes will enable easy, affordable and environmentally friendly travel into work. Recycle IT also work with a preloved bike seller based in the area to share bike frames and parts so bikes can be rebuilt and sold at affordable prices.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT, are a social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

For further details about our services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie

 

Simple Summer Electrical Recycling in the Community

Here’s an opportunity 

Schools, charities, community groups, and small business are invited to recycle or host a electrical recycling collection at their location over the summer starting July 1st, 2018.

This initiative aims to divert waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from offices and staff homes for recycling and is an opportunity to have a free WEEE from Work collection.

Recycle IT – Recycling Electrical, Electronic and Metal Items

The idea is to set up a temporary small WEEE collection point or containers in a central area of each school, community group or business to encourage recyclers to get into the habit of diverting more office and domestic electrical items away from the general waste bin.

Your colleagues, volunteers, students or project participants can easily take part. All you need to do is make people aware and reinforce the WEEE recycling message at every opportunity, then watch the container or box fill up.

Recycle IT will accept all types of  electrical and pure metal equipment including older items once used and loved in the office, school classroom or canteen.

Close the Loop – Recycle IT

WEEE Recycling in the Community

You will be able to recycle all the old or unused small waste electrical and electronic equipment collected at your office in Dublin for “free” with Recycle IT. Our team will pick up full containers or boxes of old, damaged or unused electrical, electronic or pure metal items once you let us know. From experience items will be small and medium size and found at home or in small offices. Click here to see a list.

Recycle IT – Recylcing Electrical Equipment in Dublin

Small WEEE Recycling Successes

Recycle IT want to say a huge well done to over 150 schools and community groups who have already participated in WEEE recycling collections so far in 2018. We really enjoy working with you and we are asking that you spread the word to others!

School and community recyclers in 2018 include:

• St. Ultan’s NS, Cherry Orchard
• Cabinteely Community School
• Quarryvale Community & Leisure Centre
• Donnycarney Community & Youth Centre
• Scoil Mochua, Clondalkin

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

For further details about this initiative call John on 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie

Irish Households: Learning to Recycle Properly

38% of the mountain of refuse at Panda’s huge Dublin facility is not recyclable and has to be filtered by hand, says Caroline O’Doherty from the Irish Examiner.  AFTER a few moments inside one of the country’s largest recycling facilities, confusion sets in! Towering above is an 80-tonne mountain of mixed waste, with a tangle of torn plastic shopping bags and black sacks threading through it.

Des Crinion, Panda Irish Packaging Recycling,managing director, standing among bales of recyclables ready for shipping. Picture: Moya Nolan

Mouldy food, toilet wipes, soggy cotton pads, aerosol cans, broken toys, old socks, worn shoes, ragged jumpers, cat poo, an iron, a lamp, a long, twisted, jagged metal strip, of the type used by carpet-layers, a car’s wing mirror, a burst basketball, and nappies — lots of nappies — cling to just a few square feet of the mountain (a few years ago, a dead labrador was found within the mountain).

The next few feet are much the same. And the next. And soon it’s clear that the whole mountain is riddled with rubbish.

This special report by the Irish Examiner titled “Failure of Irish households to recycle properly is a massive waste of time”  is shared by Recycle IT in the hope of encouraging change at homes! You can read more below 

But where are the contents of the green bins?

“This is it,” says Irish Packaging Recyling managing director Des Crinion, coiling the trailing cable of the iron as he speaks. “And it drives us doolally, every hour of every day.”

Undoubtedly, the Chinese have their own word for ‘doolally’, but, whatever it is, they were driven there, too.

Waste Baled by Panda

The world’s largest importer of recyclables has had enough of the low-grade, poorly segregated and contaminated materials, which have been coming into its ports. It has shut the gates until further notice, maybe, even, forever.

Ireland is not alone in causing the problem, or in suffering the consequences, but the action has put a spotlight on both our addiction to packaging and our less-than impressive recycling practices.

At the IPR facility in Ballymount, Dublin, the green- bin collection from 300,000 homes provides ample illustration of the problems.

Des begins the tour of the 7,000 sq m depot in the tipping area, where the collection trucks add to a mountain that feeds 300 tonnes of waste into the operation every day.

The arrival of a large flock of seagulls, only briefly interrupting the toing and froing of crows and other scavengers, tells you what you don’t want to know: That despite the constant pleas to householders to only place clean, recyclable packaging in their green bin, the message is falling on apathetic ears.

A half-full tub of hummus tumbles down the mountainside. It might once have been tasty, dipped with the pizza crusts protruding from a torn black sack nearby — a sack it shares with one of those foil-lined bags used for taking away cooked chickens from supermarket deli counters.

The bag is bulky, so it seems likely the chicken carcass is inside. The seagulls look hopeful. Des picks out a filthy, two-litre plastic milk bottle and sighs.

“Here’s a lovely bottle,” he says, for he sees lovely in a different way to most. “Somebody has gone to the bother of washing it and squashing it and putting it in the green bin, and now its covered in bits of somebody else’s food and that will make it difficult to sort.”

He places it back in the pile, almost tenderly, with a look that says he hopes he makes it to the other side. There’s a long way to go.

“A lot of the big stuff is taken out here,” Des says. “The guys will pull out the mattresses, the bicycles, the wheelie bins, the shopping trolleys…..”

They missed the labrador on the day when someone decided it constituted recyclable material.

The Panda Irish Packaging Recycling plant on Ballymount Rd., Dublin. Picture: Moya Nolan

“That got picked up here,” says Liam Dunne, plant manager, as he continues the tour at the first stretch of the 1.3km of conveyor belt that carries the waste through the sorting process.

“Here” is where outsized pieces of cardboard, and other awkwardly sized or shaped objects, are caught. It is also, unfortunately, where they sometimes catch the machines.

Despite the sharp eyes and speedy hands of the pre-sorting crew, the belts can be brought to a halt by a fugitive plastic sheet, textiles, the baling wire that holds briquettes together, or electrical cables that get caught on cogs and jam the machines.

“Paper till-rolls and the transfer rolls that stickers come on are awful,” says Liam. “They’re like ribbon, running up and down every conveyor, and if it ends up in the plant, we have to get in, literally, with bread knives and cut it out.”

Videotapes used to be a big issue, too. Not only are they not recyclable, but, if they broke, the stringy tape would spill out like Spiderman’s web, entangling everything in its reach. Now, they only make an occasional appearance, but mental alarm bells ring just as loudly.

As he speaks, a mop head whizzes by, deftly extracted by a member of staff, followed by a sock, an aerosol can, a bag of garden waste, a sheet of polystyrene, a quarter of a sliced pan, several potatoes, and the ever-present nappies.

Des holds aloft a toilet brush. “It’s like the Generation Game,” he says.

Des Crinion holding a side mirror from a car and an iron, just two of thousands of items that should not be in household recycling bags. Picture: Moya Nolan

And yet they’re not fazed or frustrated. Their main concern is danger.

“Anything that gets hot is a priority — a camping gas-cylinder, a laptop battery. Anything that could cause a fire hazard has to come out of there,” says Liam.

The next phase of the sorting is automated and, to the layperson, highly technical, although Liam says it is just a more sophisticated version of the plant that is used by agri-companies to sort produce by size and type.

Currents of air are used to whoosh away paper, card, and plastic film on to separate conveyor belts, while whirling discs which measure size delve closer to sort flat items from three- dimensional objects. Other screens separate the lightweight paper from the larger, fibre or cardboard.

Overhead magnets pull out metal items and an eddy current shakes out the aluminium cans, which are high-value, although they make up just about 1% of the total waste here.

They also pull out Pringles crisp tubes and other interlopers, because, although they’re mainly cardboard, the bottoms are shiny metal.

It’s disconcerting to see an otherwise neatly packed, five-feet square bale of compressed aluminium cans ready for dispatch to a new life abroad, with a bright green tube of sour cream and onion strapped in for the ride.

“Composite packaging is a big problem,” says Liam. Blister packs of tablets are a particular bugbear. Plastic on one side, aluminium foil on the other, they might get picked up as metal or as plastic.

Either way, they are not recyclable and they are classified, worldwide, as medical waste, so if a customs officer thousands of miles away spots one during an inspection, the shipment gets turned away as fast as if said waste was someone’s extracted tonsils.

Liam Dunne, plant manager, Panda Irish Packaging Recycling. Picture: Moya Nolan

Window envelopes are another example of composites that cause grief. Predominantly paper, but with a plastic film window, they contaminate whichever bale they end up in.

Some of the best-known brands cause some of the biggest headaches. Big-name soft drinks may be popular choices in the supermarket aisle, but they have fewer fans here. Their bottles are often made of PET plastic, which is then enclosed in a wrapper made of LDPE. There’s no better way to confuse machines whose job it is to sort one from the other.

The machines are optical separators, which blast objects on the conveyor belts with light, gauge how it is reflected, and segregate the plastics accordingly. Like one of those electronic fly zappers, it hisses each time it hits the plastic it has been programmed to detect, prompting air nozzles beneath to blast the chosen object and eject it onto a dedicated belt.

A perforator punctures any plastic bottles that are not squashed, so any that contained liquid — there was at least one full water bottle beside the iron at the tipping floor — should have been manually extracted before then.

Broken glass and ‘fines’ — the too-nice name given to the small bits and bobs of debris that get shaken, blown, and tumbled loose from the rest of the waste — get filtered out through yet another, separate chute.

Somehow, despite all the various sorters, screeners, and separators, nappies still elude capture, thumbing their smelly noses at Liam and Des, as they watch them ascending another belt, having cleared yet another hurdle.

A final manual sort may save the day, but, inevitably, some sneak by, even here, and make it into the baler, usually mixed with paper. Sometimes, they’re visible and can be pulled out before loading.

Des removes one at the corner of a bale that had drawn his eye, because a bright-purple sachet of cat food and a red crisp bag also squeezed through into this particular collection.

Liam outlines the consequences.

“If there’s a nappy in the bale, it’s going on a six- to eight-week journey,” he says. “It passes through three different climates. It’s sweating. You can only imagine what it’s like when it gets to China.”

Wet paper and cardboard may seem small, but they mushroom with time and temperature.

Bales of recyclables ready for shipping at Panda Irish   plant in Dublin. Picture: Moya Nolan

“The damp paper seeps into the dry and if it’s nice and warm, you get fungus growing in the middle of the bale. Imagine what that’s like to open up,” says Des.

Clearly, some householders have no imaginations.

Nationally, according to Repak, green-bin contamination runs at 30% in urban areas, though it falls to 18% in rural areas.

But it’s not just parents who cause problems for the green-bin system. Adult incontinence pads frequently turn up and nursing homes and other care facilities are regular offenders.

“Those pastel-green and blue disposable gowns — the ones that look like paper and feel like paper?” Liam says. “They’re not paper.”

Areas where flats are rented by students are notorious. Yes, they’re our best and brightest and most well-educated, but Liam gives them a fat fail for waste-separation.

 

 

Apartments present another major challenge, because of the shared bin sheds.

“Wherever there’s sharing, there are problems. You get fly-tipping and people who do use the bins, but put the wrong stuff in them and then the whole thing is messed-up.

“You need estate-management companies to be really on the ball — to check that if the black bin is full before collection day, that people have somewhere to put their rubbish other than the green bin.”

The result of this failure to properly recycle at household level is more costly and time-consuming at commercial level than it should be.

The belts here run almost continuously, from 7am to midnight most days, but with frequent overtime required, and it is labour-intensive work.

Even with €3.2m worth of new and more precise optical screens due for installation here, during March and April, Liam doesn’t envisage full automation anytime soon.

“It’s very difficult to see a way out of the human element,” he says. “The optical separator will only see what you teach it to see and you can’t teach it to see everything, because you can’t anticipate what’s coming down the belt. How do you teach it to see a ball of hair from a hoover bag or a half-eaten sandwich?”

Read More

To read more and watch a video, get the full Irish Examiner special report here

Thanks to the Panda for tsharing and the Irish Examiner for writing and publishing.

About Recycle IT 

Recycle IT offer recycling opportunities to home and business customers for all types of electronics equipment. With Recycle IT, TV and monitor recycling is available using a free, drop off, free community collectionsor through a cost-effective personal or business collection. We will accept of your old electrical items alongside your old TV’s and monitors.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

To learn more about recycling electrical equipment please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321, email us or visit www.recycleit.ie

TV and Monitor Recycling in Dublin

Monitors and Visual Display Units

Display technology is commonly associated with screens that presents information in visual form. Most displays are used in television sets (TVs), computer monitors and mobile phones/smartphones. In 2015, there was an estimated 1.57 billion households worldwide which owned a television set. (Source: The Statistics Portal). In Ireland 96.5% of householder have a TV with 80.8% having a computer leading us to believe, most computer users are likely have a screen of some sort at home (Irish Stats Source: CSO)

Watching – TV Display

The Facts 

In 2016, 225 million LCD TVs type devices were sold worldwide.  (Source: The Statistics Portal)  In recent times curved monitors demand is on the rise which means a greater number of flat panel screens will be replaced in homes and offices leaving the old one’s unused!

TV’s, Visual Display Units (VDU’S) and Monitors are made up of 8 different core elements including glass 40%, zinc / Mazak 1%, plastic 21%, circuit boards 11%, iron / steel 15%, cable 3%, and transformers 2%. To allow recycling each element must be separated without leaving any cross contamination i.e. clean plastic, clean glass, clean copper etc.

Curved Screens / Monitors

Whats New

A CRT monitor is a computer monitor based around a device called a Cathode Ray Tube and has been around for decades. The size and shape of the tube has determined the dimensions of computer monitors.

In recent times CRT technology have been replaced by LCD and TFT screens but some people and companies are still using older CRT monitors. We estimate there are still thousands of tons of CRT monitors hoarded away in people’s home and offices. These type monitors need to be extracted and safely recycled and Recycle IT can help.

Recycle Monitors – Recycle IT

Recycling 

Recycle IT want to encourage people in Dublin and the surrounding areas to support our social enterprise and the environment by giving up old yet functional monitors and recycling broken or damaged monitor. Choosing to give up your used electronics rather than placing then in the bin reduces the need to process new raw materials for new products and helps the earth stay green for longer!

Recycle IT offer a recycling service for all types of TVs, VDUs and Monitors which guarantees safe recycling for your end of life screen.

CRT Computer Monitors

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT offer recycling opportunities to home and business customers for all types of electronics equipment. With Recycle IT, TV and monitor recycling is available using a free, drop off, free community collections or through a cost-effective personal or business collection. We will accept of your old electrical items alongside your old TV’s and monitors.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

2017 Pakman Award Winner – Recycle IT – Community Recycling Project of the Year.

To learn more about recycling electrical equipment please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321, email us or visit www.recycleit.ie

24 Tips to Reduce and Save this Summer!

Reduce waste, save money, enjoy summer

We are officially in the heat of summer, full of slow days at the beach, garden BBQ’s and family holidays. There are so many fun ways to fill long summer days and many of them call for products unique to sunny days including sunscreen, insect spray, garden chairs, paddle pools, airbeds and lots more. Replacing seasonal products, may raise a few questions about what we do with the old stuff? .

Go Green – Summer 2018 – Recycle IT

It worth remembering that less waste means less disposal, less for recycling and reduced stress about get things done at home. Taking the lead wheather at home or at the office BBQ can change habits and encourage family members and co-workers to do the same!  This summer why not give it a go and make it a reduce, reuse and recycling summer.

Think Clean – Think Green – Recycle IT

There are lots of ways to reduce waste, save time and  spend less money all of which helps our environment so let’s start today. Get started by sharing the 24 tips listed below.

Recycle IT have listed 21 tips to avoid waste and save this Summer!

Steps include

1. Use a shopping basket instead of a trolley.
2. Do not buy over packaged products. e.g fruit or meat.
3. Leave excess packaging at the store or shop – they might get the idea!
4. Think about whether you need an item before you buy it.
5. Go paperless – stop printing, e.g. buy an online newspaper subscription.
6. Print on both side of the page or not at all.
7. Reject junk mail – place a sign on your post box.
8. Give away or sell what you don’t need.
9. Purchase used products from the web, car boot sales or classified ads.
10. Make the decision to reuse e.g. books, clothes, shoes.
11. Buy less food – purchase what you need not what you want!
12. Compost and mulch your garden greens for reuse.
13. Borrow, lend, rent, and share equipment including toys, and tools.
14. Maintain and repair instead of replacing.
15. Buy for a long life or durability.
16. Be mindful of buying into trends or fads – they are short-lived.
17. Use long life light bulbs.
18. Use recyclable, repairable, refillable,  re usable, or biodegradable products.
19. Bring food to school, work or on picnic’s  in reusable containers..
20. Plan travel to help reduce CO2 emissions.
21. Question the need for new stuff  in your home or the office.
22. Reuse paper and plastic shopping bags for gifting items, grocery or clothes shopping.
23. Think about your disposal coffee cup usage – change the habit!
24. Cycle to the shops regularly rather than driving once. (get exercise/save fuel)

Think Clean – Think Green – Old Metal for Recycling

Five facts about waste in Ireland?

1. The total amount of waste generated in the state (industrial, commercial, household) at the last full survey was 19.8 Million tonnes which is equivalent to 4.3 tonnes per person
2. The economic downturn has had a marked influence on municipal waste generation. It has decreased by 17% since it peaked in 2007
3. Household waste generated per person in Ireland in 2011 amounted to 367kg which is considerably less than the EU average of 438kg
4. One third of the food we buy ends up in the bin. This can cost the average household up to €1,000 per year
5. Ireland is among the top performing EU countries in terms of municipal waste recycling

Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland.

Think Green – Think clean – Old Lights for Recycling

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT recycle lights and much more! We are an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing recycling collection and drop off services for all types of waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal items.

During 2017 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 90,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

2017 Pakman Award Winner – Recycle IT – Community Recycling Project of the Year.

To learn more about recycling electrical equipment please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321 or email us

10 Community Reuse or Recycling Organisations in Dublin

Life cycle….paint, computers, lights, dishwashers…

Ireland and Dublin in particular is home to a number of community reuse and waste prevention initiatives aimed at recovering and reusing valuable resources which have been acquired by customers to serve a need or first life use. When that first life use is served many office, household or leisure products can be reused and enjoyed by our follow consumers!

Reuse Ideas shared by Recycle IT

Reuse is the practice of using an item more than once, extending its useful life. Often reuse involves a change of ownership; reuse can also involve “re-purposing,” or giving an item a second life through a function other than its original purpose. When we think about it, reuse is one of the oldest forms of waste management, and was practiced by previous generations. I remember as a child collecting and returning empty glass soft drink bottles to the shops in order to claim the deposit. Lots of people engaged in reuse or recycle long before waste became a business and disposal the norm

Disposable product culture

In the 20th century manufacturing, marketing and advertising practices helped drive a disposable product culture. Many products including cars, or electrical and electronic appliances now build-in technical, design and perceived obsolescence. After a year they lose the latest and greatest tag.

Paint Reuse

Concerns about the environmental, economic and social sustainability of continually manufacturing new stuff,  has promoted a resurgence in reuse and re-purposing everyday items. Some citizens and nations have embraced this resurgences while others pay lip service to reuse.

It has to be said, reuse on its own is only one step, but once included as part of strategy, reuse can play its part in helping keep our world green.

Reuse v Recycling

Reuse, does not break items down to their component parts in order to reprocess them into new materials. While recycling reduces the amount of discarded items that are sent to landfills or incinerators, reuse extends the useful life of whole items and creates a local community loop that keeps the items out of the waste stream altogether. Reuse in all its forms needs to be considered with clothes and fabric a fine example of a successful income generating reuse model which supports charitable projects across the world.

Recycled Washing Machine Drums

There are a number of organisations in Ireland who can help with reuse for items including clothes, furniture, paint, mattress, home appliances or IT equipment.

List of organisations involved with reuse in Dublin, Ireland

Busy Bees – Furniture

The Upcycle Movement – Various

Irish Charity Shops Association – Clothes, Toys and Household Items

Sunflower Recycling – Paper, Cardboard and Cans

Rediscovery Centre –  Bikes, Fashion, Furniture and Paint

Recycle IT  – Computers, Tumble Dryers and Small Electrical Appliances

Rehab Recycling – Washing Machines

ReCreate Ireland – Arts and Crafts

Reusing Dublin – Unused and Underused Spaces

Eco Mattress –  Bed Mattress

It worth noting, a focus on reuse has many benefits including

• Reuse plays an important role in diverting waste from landfills and is the second step in the waste management hierarchy of “reduce, reuse, recycle.”
• Reusing materials saves money, energy, and natural resources therefore improving our environment and reducing the negative effects of climate change.
• Reuse has the potential for creating new markets for materials, new product and opportunities for training and employment.

Recycle IT encourage reuse and recycling and can help you with the collection of electrical and electronic equipment, anything with a plug or battery. Our Dublin based colleagues and members of the Community Reuse Network can also help so please do click on the links above to learn more.

For more information on electrical recycling and reuse call Recylce IT on 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie

Recycle IT – Green Award – NGO of the Year Finalist 2017

 

EPA Climate Change Lecture

Tackling Climate Change

The EPA’s free Climate Change lecture series has been running since late 2007, bringing a range of Irish and international speakers to The Mansion House in Dublin to update Irish audiences on the science of climate change, and possible responses to it.

EPA Logo

Where are we now

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adapting to the impacts of inevitable climate change, are arguably the biggest global challenges we face today. An international consensus on action was reached in Paris in 2015 with many countries introducing national laws to tackle climate change.

The UK’s 2008 Climate Change Act was a pioneering commitment to set a legally binding target for reducing national emissions. In this 10th anniversary year of the Act, how is the UK doing? Is there a gap between action and the target? How will Brexit affect progress in the future?

The EPA, as part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action and in conjunction with the Royal Irish Academy, will host a public lecture on adapting to climate change. Lord John Krebs will present the lecture: Tackling Climate Change: Rhetoric or Reality?

The lecture will take place in The Round Room, The Mansion House, Dawson St, Dublin 2 and will be chaired by Dr John Bowman so set so time aside on 15th May 2018. Registration will take place from 6.30pm The lecture starts at 7pm followed by Q&A and closing by 8.30pm. Attendance is free, with advance booking through Eventbrite

Smoke Filled Sky

About Lord John Krebs

Lord Kreb is Emeritus Professor of Zoology in the University of Oxford.  His research area is behavioural ecology and he has published more than 300 research papers, reviews, articles and books. He served as Chairman of the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee from 2010 to 2014; and President of the British Science Association in 2012-13.  He currently sits on the Energy and Environment Select Committee. He was the founding Chair of the UK Climate Change Committee Adaptation Sub-Committee between 2009 and 2017 and is currently a member of that committee. He has received a number of awards and honours including 17 honorary degrees, Fellowship of the Royal Society, the US National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the US Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina).

Ireland – Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015

The enactment of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 is noted on the government website as a landmark national milestone in the evolution of climate change policy in Ireland.

Sea Change

As a followup, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten T.D on January 19th  2018) published Ireland’s first statutory National Adaptation Framework. This was prepared under the Act and sets out the potential implications of climate change for Ireland and specifies the national strategy for the development of adaptation measures by key sectors and by local authorities.

To learn more click the link to the National Adaptation Framework here

Creating change 

Its worth noting climate change will affect all of us in some way, it will create opportunities and cause suffering and over time it will surely destabilise existing beliefs and attitudes.

Climate change will open routes for new discussions and action for example “the circular economy” and give the freedom and space to individuals, groups and leaders to work together for  positive change therefore the more we know about climate change the better.

Recycle IT – Community Recycler of the Year

 

 

South Dublin Go’s Green for Eco Week

Something for the week!

South Dublin celebrates Eco Week 2018 from the 23^rd – 27^th April 2018. Eco week now in its 14^th year and will be launched Monday 23^rd April in the Civic Office in Tallaght. The event starts at 11am in the South Dublin County Council Chamber. All are welcome to attend!

South Dublin County Council – Eco Week 2018

The week long eco festival of free events encourage everyone in the county to play a role in reducing their impact on the environment in a fun, enjoyable and practical way which match the needs of your community.

Events include environmental workshops, shows, talks and eco walks on themes such as waste prevention, re-use, recycling, energy, water, biodiversity and climate change These activities are scheduled to take place all around the south Dublin in libraries, parks, offices and recycling centres. There is something for everyone from Community Groups to Schools, Business,Householders and Individuals.

This year Irish wildlife Trust will be running a series of library talks and parkland walks in south county Dublin to explore the wildlife around us. South county Dublin’s parks, gardens, waterways and uplands support a wealth of wildlife. Join the Irish wildlife Trust to learn about the importance this biodiversity in our lives and how we can help protect it. Max of 30 people for each event.

Irish Wildlife Trust

To learn more visit

• Griffeen Park, Lucan on Monday the 23rd April at 10am,
• Tymon Park, Tallaght on Friday the 27th April at 10am.

Things to try for Eco Week

Recycle IT have complied a list of 11 things you might consider doing for Eco Week 2018, hopefully they are all eco-friendly!

• Get out community gardening.
• Arrange an eco-cleanup of your local area.
• Clean out your wardrobe and donate to charity.
• Plant a tree.
• Compost the grass cuttings.
• Volunteer some time with an environmental group.
• Reduce plastic waste as you are shopping e.g. leave it with the shop as a message!
• Get the family to go vegetarian for a day.
• Get together with friends for “Green Party” with organic food and drinks.
• Being you family on woodland adventure walk.
• Visit the Recycle IT WEEE display at the Council office in Tallaght

Recycle IT – Eco Week – Recycling Display

Recycle IT for Eco Week

Starting April 23^rd residents living and businesses operating in South County Dublin can benefit from free recycling. They can recycle all dual-purpose home and small office electrical/electronic equipment free with Recycle IT during Eco Week 2018 and afterwards!

All you need to do is drop off your electrical equipment at the Recycle IT recycling facility in Clondalkin. The team will be on hand all week to help you will lifting or moving items. You can in advance on 01 4578321 to let them know your coming or to get directions. The centre is open from 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 3pm on Friday.  Visit www.recycleit.ie to learn more.

WEEE to work

Recycle IT in association with South Dublin County Council will operate a WEEE to Work Collection Week for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). People working in local organisations and businesses are invited to participate by bringing their old electrical items to work. The Recycle IT team will accept any items with a plug or a battery. Batteries will also be collected during the week, just bag or box them and bring them along.

Small WEEE drop off points will be set up in the lobby of the South Dublin County Council offices in Tallaght or if you wish to organise a dedicated and Free WEEE to Work Collection from your office or business, Recycle IT will be happy to support.

Recycle IT – WEEE to Work for Eco Week

If you have questions or would like to arrange a WEEE to Work collection from your office or business, please call John on 01 4578321 or email: info@recycleit.ie. You can also visit the website www.recycleit.ie to learn more about electrical recycling. Let’s make this an Eco Week to remember! This event is delivered in partnership with WEEE Ireland.

For more information on Eco-Week or to book a place at an event please visit www.southdublin.ie or contact the Environmental Awareness Section, South Dublin County Council on 01 4149000 to learn more.

Recycle IT are Repak Community Recycler of the Year 2017

Communities Tackle Ireland’s Litter in April – Spring Clean Month

Rob Kearney and Sarah McGovern call on communities to tackle Ireland’s Litter Problem on the 20th Anniversary of Ireland’s largest and longest running anti-litter campaign,  National Spring Clean which runs throughout April 2018

Spring Clean Ambassador Sarah McGovern & Ireland Rugby Player Rob Kearney

Irish rugby international Rob Kearney and National Spring Clean ambassador Sarah McGovern, kicked off the National Spring Clean 2018 with a nationwide call to volunteers and communities across Ireland to register for this year’s anti-litter campaign.

Communities 

The National Spring Clean will bring together communities throughout the country to tackle the problem of litter in local areas. This initiative is organised by An Taisce and supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

Taking part in the National Spring Clean is very straight forward. Organize for a clean up of your local area, to take place any time during April, and register your event online, by phone, fax or post. To register online click ‘Sign Up’ . Once you have registered you should receive a FREE clean-up kit from An Taisce. It contains a range of tools and information and you can learn more here

Progress over 20 Years

Achievements over the last 20 years can be viewed below and are the result of hard work in communities across Ireland supported by An Taisce in partnership with the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government and Local Authorities across Ireland.

National Spring Clean – 20 Years of Progress

Last year (2017), an estimated 2660 tonnes of litter was collected of which 35% was recycled. In the current era of climate change the more we recycle, the more we reduce our carbon emissions, so by taking part in National Spring Clean we are making a difference!

 

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

During 2017 Recycle IT offered free drop off and community collection services to 90,000 homes and organisations across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

If your Dublin spring clean group come across dumped electrical items during a clean up, assemble them together and Recycle IT can arrange a collection. Call John or 01 45783212 to learn more.

Recycle IT are Repak Community Recycler of the Year 2017

 

Public Participation – Dublin Environmental Gathering

The Gathering 2018 

April is National Spring Clean month in Ireland, Eco week is celebrated in South Dublin from April 23rd and Earth Day is set for April 22nd. All good reasons to attend.

The Dublin Environmental Gathering is being organised by the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) of South Dublin County, Dublin City, Fingal and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown in collaboration with the Irish Environmental Network. The Gathering is open to PPN member groups from across Dublin, as well as individuals and groups who are not yet PPN members.

The Environmental Gathering

You might like to find out more about environmental and sustainability-related projects that are happening in Dublin? You might be interested in getting involved in a project that supports the environment or you equally could be looking for ideas to being back to your own community to share!

At the Dublin Environmental Gathering you can:

• Find out more about successful environmental and sustainability-related projects in Dublin that you can get involved with or try in your own area.
• Find out more about the Public Participation Network in your area and how your community group can use the PPN effectively to enhance your own goals, collaborate with others, and make a difference in local decision-making.
• Learn how PPN member groups can become part of the Environmental pillar of their PPN.
• Find out about funding opportunities for environmental and sustainability-related projects.

This Environmental Gathering event will take place in Dublin City Council’s Wood Quay venue on Saturday the 7th of April from 10.30am-3pm with a complimentary lunch served at 1pm.

Map of Dublin

The day will include presentations from PPN members and other organisations on inspiring projects they have undertaken, information stands, networking opportunities and a panel discussion. Presentations will include a talk on Dublin Bay Biosphere and the keynote speaker will be architect and environmentalist Duncan Stewart.

Recycle IT Stand

Recycle IT will attend and share information on community recycling collections and drop off for all kinds of electrical, electronic and metal equipment. You can learn about free collections for residents, community groups schools and charities in Dublin and the surrounding area.

Learn more about Recycle IT here or call 01 4578321

To register for the event click here

Recycle IT are Repak Community Recycler of the Year 2017

Recycling Centres – close to you in Dublin!

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Recycling in Dublin

There are a range of services and facilities to recycle home and small office waste. As well as reducing the volume of waste going to landfill, these centres help to recycle and compost domestic waste while you save some money.

Many items used in homes across Ireland can be recycled. The benefits of recycling include a cleaner environment, the safe disposal of hazardous materials, greater awareness of excess packaging and a careful approach to the use and re-use of materials.

WEEE Recording at Recycle IT – Drop Off or Collection Service

If we take electrical items, there has been approx 75 million waste electrical items recycled since 2005, that’s over 70 electrical items per household in Ireland but 1 in 4 Irish people are still hoarding or putting  electrical waste in the bins at home. (Source: WEEE Ireland).

This post is all about encouraging you to recycle electrical items alongside other items at a local recycling centre. By taking action you will save the environment and money so please don’t place the electrical items in the bin (any bin) visit a recycling centre!

We have complied a list (all on one page) of WEEE recycling centres and services in Dublin.

Recycling Centres in Dublin (Drop Off)

There are  recycling centres located across Dublin which will take back household electrical items and lots of other waste items.

Waste by Image

The main centres are listed below:

• Shamrock Terrace Recycling Centre (North Strand) – Tel: 01-836 4716
• Pigeon House Recycling Centre, Ringsend – Tel: 01-614 4750
• Electronic Recycling, Unit 20, Jamestown Business Pk, Finglas – Tel: 01-864 0806 ((waste electrical & electronic equipment only)
• Ballymount Civic Amenity, Ballymount Ave. (Off  the Walkinstown roundabout) – Tel: 01-4621251
• Coolmine Recycling Centre, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15.  (Beside Coolmine Fire Station). Tel: (01) 890 5986
• Estuary Recycling Centre, Swords, (beside Swords Business Park)
  Tel: (01) 890 5985
• Ballyogan Civic Recycling Facility, Ballyogan Road, Dublin 18. Tel: (01) 291 3600
• Recycle IT, 14/2 Crag Terrace, Clondalkin Industrial Estate, Dublin  D22   Tel: (01) 4578321 (waste electrical, electronic equipment & metals only)

Trade waste is usually not accepted at Household Waste Recycling Centres. Recycle IT will support small and medium size businesses to recycle dual purpose electrical and electronic waste.  It’s always a good idea to call the centres in advance of a recycling visit. The call can ensure to don’t make a wasted trip.

Recycling Services – Collection and Drop Off

Recycle IT support householders, charities, community groups, schools and business with electrical and electronic recycling services in Dublin and the surrounding ares. Services offers are complementary to those offered by the Local Authories across Dublin.

Services include a free drop off for domestic or dual purpose electrical or electronic equipment with collection services available on request. Collection services are offered free to groups listed above with a cost-effective solution offered to business recyclers and or those with an immediate need.

Householders in Dublin City and surrounding areas can also bring their unwanted electrical items (WEEE) to a number of recycling centres promoted or operated by their Local Authority. At these centre people can dispose of items such as toasters, cookers, kettles, or lamps, really any domestic appliance.

Alternatively householders can take back WEEE to retailers free of charge. The take back system usually operators on a one-for-one basis, i.e. you can exchange an old toaster for a new one  but it’s usually not possible to return a fridge freezer while purchasing a new hairdryer. A number of large retailers actively promote this scheme so keep an eye out.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 100,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT – Pakman Award Winner 2016

Visit our website for further details.

Free or Cost Effective Electrical Recycling Initiative

Recycle IT – Recycling Electrical and Electronics since 2002.

Recycle IT, a community organisation and not for profit was established in 2002 as Clondalkin Community Recycle Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to provide employment opportunities and encourage electrical and electronic recycling in homes, communities and organisations.

Over a 16 year period our social enterprise has developed into a well-known and trusted organisation offering training and employment to over 20 people. We collect and recycle 40,000 KG of old electrical equipment per month including monitors, TV’s washing machines, dishwashers, computers, laptops, phones and electronic toys, really any item with a plug or battery.

Selection of Recycled Items  – Recycle IT

WEEE Ireland

Recycle IT works in partnership with the WEEE Ireland Compliance Scheme which is now 13 years in existence. We help support and encourage increased electrical recycling through our collection and drop off services. Recycle IT will accept all your once loved and used electronic and electrical equipment. Nothing is too large or small and we are at our happiest when we are assisting you recycle at home or in the office.

Community Collections

Our community collection team engage regularly with County Council officials across Dublin to establish and implement a public outreach plan to encourage community participation in free collections and pre-planned recycling events.

We actively engage local residents’ groups, schools, community organisations and business in solving electrical or e-waste challenges.  Create space and reduce clutter in your home, office, school, college or charity organisation by simply giving our team a call on 01 4578321.

Some extra benefits of recycling your old electrical equipment with Recycle IT include a reduction in the negative environmental impacts associated with electrical waste while also supporting training, work experience and employment positions in Dublin.

Moyle Park College Student Work Experience at Recycle IT

We find free residents collection days are great way to get adults and children involved in worthwhile recycling activities within their communities. Recycle IT can provide residents’ associations with flyers, collection cards and our trained personnel will actively assist you with our door to door electrical recycling collection events so do get in touch to arrange your collection day.

Cost Effective Collections 

Recycle IT offer a, cost-effective personal and business collection service which help customers with a pending need to recycling. We can breakdown and destroy electrical, electronic, and metal equipment upon request.

Collection services are offered across Dublin and surrounding areas with dedicated teams visiting your location to help you recycle your old and once loved equipment. We can help with moving equipment once information about your site is provided.

Equipment Removal Service – Recycle IT –

If you need server racking and computer equipment disassembled and removed from your site, we can help. Once electronic equipment is disconnected from power sources our team can save you time and other resources.

So if you have household, office or  commercial equipment let us know and we can work with you to arrange a solution to meet your needs.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2016 Recycle IT supported drop off and collection services to over 100,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT are Repak Community Recycler of the Year 2017

Please do request more information from Recycle IT about our recycling service on 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie

Visit our Get in Touch page to request a call back.

International Women’s Day 2018 @ Recycle IT

March 8th 

International Women’s Day falls on March 8th each year. The day has been observed for over 100 years and is now celebrated around the world with events large and small taking place all over Ireland.

Over 100 Years

The earliest Woman’s Day event was held in New York on February 28, 1909, and was organised by the Socialist Party of America. Only a year later, at the International Women’s Conference in Denmark, socialist representatives proposed that there be an International Women’s Day, inspired by the events in New York. The day was celebrated for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in March 1911 with many countries following this lead over the next 100 years.

Women Workers Strike – 100 Years

International Women’s Day 2018

International Women’s Day seeks to celebrate women’s achievements, as well as act as a catalyst for change when it comes to gender equality. The day brings together government, women’s organisations, businesses, charities and communities to remind and celebrate the value of women to the social, economic and environmental development of our world.

Press for Progress

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is #PressforProgress. This is a strong call to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and communities to think, act and be gender inclusive in all we do.

Recycle IT and Gender Inclusion

Recycle IT is a part funded employment initiative, a social enterprise and community electrical recycler. A lot of the work we do involves heavy lifting and it’s not the cleanest but that does not stop us involving women and men in roles across the organisation.

Our General Manager, Una Lavelle has been with the organisation since 2007,  We have three female colleagues in roles across finance and administration and a fourth works as a general operative recycling electronic equipment. Over the last two years the number of women employed has increased from 15% to 25% of our workforce.

Gender Inclusive Roles at Recycle IT

Jane Ebbe has been part of the Recycle IT team since April 2017 and has worked alongside male colleagues to complete many if not all of the same tasks. Jane is pictured above about to recycle a computer which is part of all our general operatives roles.

Over the coming weeks Jane will commence training as a forklift driver which until now has been task solely performed by male counterparts. Jane says ” the only real difference in her role and that of a male colleague is strength in lifting and moving heavier items and this have been overcome with the use of lifting equipment and a little team work”. Jane views Recycle IT as a safe place where the team are very understanding and inclusive of each others needs.

The future 

Recycle IT were possible try to encourage younger girls to consider “Green Business and Recycling” as a career path. Recycle IT visit a number of schools each year to share knowledge on the value of recycling to society, our economy and the environment. This message is shared equally amongst girls and boys. We also endeavour to work gender inclusively with third level students from at home and aboard to promote learning and share know-how.

Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny – Transition Year Students at Recycle IT

We recently hosted a site visit from 21  Transition Year students  many of whom are part of the ‘Green Schools’ committee at Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny. The students showed a keen interest in our work and hopefully left with increased knowledge and a message, that a careers in recycling, green business or supporting a message of environmental change can be progressed equally by all genders.

Events 

International Women’s Day Events

In early March you will find a number events taking place to celebrate International Women’s Day. To view some of these events please click here

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. Over the last 18 month Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

This community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

 

Clutter Clutter Everywhere!

 Stress and Clutter

Research by Dreamtown in the UK found that the average 10-year-old owns 238 toys but plays with just 12 daily (The Telegraph). The build up of home clutter including toys, clothes, shoes and even gadgets creates a constant need to tidy up which in turn can create a feeling of stress. Do you recognise the feeling?

Shoe-Clutter

Over the course of our lifetime, we will spend a total of 3,680 hours or 153 days searching for misplaced items, something we just stuck in a draw! The research found we lose up to nine items every day—or 198,743 in a lifetime. Phones, keys, sunglasses, and paperwork top the list (The Daily Mail).

One of the biggest clutter offender are phones. Official data from ComReg Ireland shows that there were 5,432,182 active mobile phone subscriptions at the end of March 2013 and you can add lots more over the last number of years. It’s a fact, we’re all buying more gadgets with the older or unused items building up in boxes, draws, cabinets and store rooms.

Store Room Clutter – Computers – Monitors – Cables

In Ireland a 2015 study found that on average two in five Irish adults (38%) consider themselves to be hoarders, meaning homes are filling up (Empathy Research)  Further research commissioned by NESTA outlined that 58% of respondents found it hard to get rid of their possessions, meaning they keep them!

The National Association of Professional Organizations shows there is a direct correlation between productivity and clutter. Productivity declines when clutter and chaos rise. Piles of paper, unorganised kitchen space or play rooms, old receipts, bills and paperwork stuffed in boxes or drawers will take over your home over a period of time.

Garden Shed Clutter

How to Reduce Clutter

Clutter can include unread books, old electronic equipment, files which have not been filed, letters and cards, clothes thrown on the floor, stuff that you no longer need, want or use but you still possess. Remember, clutter is not usually confined to one area can be spread across you home.

What to do?

Before anything else, make a simple plan with specific and simple goals that will reduce your frustration and stress.

Here are a 9 tips to keep in mind as you start de-cluttering your home:

1. Make a written note of all the areas you need to de-clutter.
2. Prioritize the areas and assign your time.
3. Do one area at a time.
4. Set a start and finish dates for each area.
5. Be sure to pick dates that are real so you get the job complete.
6. Make time and get help to work on specific areas which may take longer like a garden shed or attic.
7. Use a system to save on time and energy.
8. Plan how you might lift on move heavy items.
9. Research and decide how you will have the clutter removed for recycling once assemble

Once the items are in ready you can decide what you want to do about  removal. We have a list of some solutions of which might work for you.

Donation Box

11  Reduce and Recycle Tips after De-cluttering 

1. Don’t hold onto items once they have made the box.
2. Sell some items online, e.g. Ebay, Done Deal or Adverts.
3. Repurpose old stuff with some DIY and help from friends.
4. Donate to charity shops.
5. Share items with family, friends or colleagues e.g kids clothes or toys.
6. Gift your items to friends or colleague with an interest in them.
7. Share items free for reuse. Go online or find an exchange network
8. Recycle all old electrical, electronic and battery operated items.
9. Moving forward, recycle stuff immediately when used or end of life
10. Consider gifting items based on condition.
11. After the clear out consider what you buy and recycle one day at a time.

Bedroom – Decluttered

Making the decision to get rid of your old items can be the hardest part of de-cluttering. Like many people, you may have trouble getting rid of  items you once used or loved. You have also spent your hard-earned money on the items so they do hold a value for you. These are real and valid feelings but no matter how challenging the decision, de-cluttering is necessary and helps reduce stress levels and it will create space!

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 100,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

The Recycle IT electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

No Cost – Low Cost Waste Solutions

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle this Year

Eurostat figures detail the amount of municipal waste generated per person in the EU-28 in 2013. Irish people produced 586 kg of waste per person. This is 22% above the EU average which stands at 481 kg per person Ireland now recycles just over a third (34%) of municipal waste and plans are in place to improve this figure.

Truck Full of Waste

EPA figures from before our return to growth state the total amount of waste generated in the state (industrial, commercial, household) totalled 19.8 Million tonnes which is equivalent to 4.3 tonnes per person These figure are expected to increase as Ireland economy grows.

Endless Waste

It seems that most organisations create endless amounts of waste in their efforts to service customers. Waste can range in type but some of our favourites are paper, cardboard, food waste, packaging waste, waste batteries, lights, desktop gadgets, electronic items, cables, chargers, audio and digital equipment.

It also fair to say savings in time, money and greater environmental wellbeing  can be achieved by ensuring that waste is managed properly in both large or small organisations.

The first and most important steps involves identifying the quantity and type of waste produced. Once complete you can look at your waste and see what can be prevented or reused.

Hard Disk Drive Recycling – Recycle IT

All materials suitable for recycling should be segregated at source and stored for collection, (boxed/bagged) or compacted depending on type.

The EPA suggests business can save 10% on their waste costs by implementing no cost and low-cost waste solutions by assigning responsibility for the task and monitoring waste improvements regularly.

Further steps include;

• Analyse all waste at source – check how much cardboard, plastic, food, electronic  and other waste is produce – identify what may be prevented/reused.
• Improve segregation and recycling by using clear bags or labelled bins.
• Improve waste management by placing bins and/or reuse receptacles near points where waste is generated
• Reduce packaging and  return packaging to supplier.
• Ask suppliers to take packaging away once products are delivered.

By trying some or all of the above initiatives you can improve your environmental performance while reducing costs.

Segregated Waste Disposal

16 Everyday Tips include;

1. Re-use paper – have collection points near printers / photocopiers for paper reuse.
2. Regularly review /remove older customer accounts to save on postage and paper.
3. Set up a central collection point for reusable office supplies and share with others.
4. Use email, telephone, meetings and bulletin boards for office communication.
5. Promote double-sided printing and photocopying.
6. Stop using faxes machines.
7. Recycle printer and toner cartridges.
8. Send invoices and statements to customers via email.
9. Ask suppliers to minimise packaging.
10. Compact cardboard and plastics.
11. Use shredded paper for infill.
12. Buy business materials in bulk  (Helps reduce shipping and packaging costs).
13. Spend time training staff on waste reduction and new initiatives which are planned. (just don’t expect change, encourage change)
14. Use video conferences and conference calls rather travel to meeting. Its saves  all the related waste and expense of a meeting.
15. Recycle kitchen or small office electronic items using a FREE drop off to Recycle IT – click here for a list of items which can be recycled
16. Arrange a free (when in your area) or cost effective electrical recycling collection for your busness with Recycle IT. Just click here

Through experience and feedback from others we think success is achieved by waste segregation and by allocating individual staff members to specific areas of responsibility with reports on progress discussed at team meetings. A staff reward night might be included once cost saving have been achieved!

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

To speak with Recycle IT please call 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

 

Office Photocopiers – Recycle Safely

Innovation 

In 1937 Chester Carlson, a patent attorney in New York, invented a process called electro photography. In 1938, this was renamed Xerography and the first known photocopy was the “10-22-38 Astoria” was born.

Times Square, New York City, 1938

The Xerography copying process went on to become one of the most well-known inventions of the 20th century and its estimated that Carlson gave away almost $100 million to charity and foundations before his death in 1968. Well done Chester.

Xerox Machines 

In 1955, Haloid – by then Haloid Xerox – produced Copyflo, the first automated xerographic machine and many other companies followed Xerox into the market over the next 50 years.

Old Photocopier – Recycle IT

Photocopier Recycling 

Companies that manufacture photocopier cartridges and printers began offering recycling services in the early 1990’s. Over the years many businesses developed photocopiers and cartridge recycling services as part of their customer sales, returns an environmental policy.  It may take decades to figure out if these policies are good for the environment, but one thing we can say it’s best to reduce, reuse and recycle!

Safety 

Today’s photocopiers have developed into a computers with a scanners and printers attached. As with other computers and servers, photocopies have a hard disk drive. This hard drive allows scans of documents and images to be stored on that drive.

As photocopiers are replaced or upgraded the older model which has been in your office for years has a hard drive filled with pages that have been copied over those years. As you might think, some of those pages will contain all sorts business and personal information.

Dumped-Photocopier

Think about what you might copy – your bank account details, birth certificates, passports, tax forms – As old photocopiers are replaced think about any potential risks which the disposal of the old machine might create for your business and staff.

If you need to safely and cost effectively recycle old photocopies or other electronic or electrical items please call 01 4578321 or email Recycle IT.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

To speak with Recycle IT please call 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Sharing the Question of Plastic Recycling

Overview

For over 50 years, global production and consumption of plastics have continued to rise. An estimated 299 million tons of plastics were produced in 2013, representing a 4% increase over 2012, and confirming and upward trend over the past years. (Source: Worldwatch Institute – January 2015)

Greenpeace say that “right now an estimated 12.7 million tonnes of plastic, everything from plastic bottles and bags to microbeads – end up in our oceans each year. That’s a truck load of rubbish a minute”

Ocean Waste – Recycle IT

Most plastics used daily have a very low economic reuse value. Think about bread wrapping or banana bags. Another fact is plastics wrappers can contain numerous materials which are hard to separated. Examples include sweet wrappers, take-away food containers, coffee cups, coffee capsules and plastic/foil-lined cartons for soup and milk. Are investments in recycling solutions for these materials profitable? If not, how can this change to benefit the world?

What we do today?

Since the 1980s China has become the world’s largest importer of waste. In 2012, up to 56% of global exported plastic waste ended up in China. Imported plastic waste alone reached a peak of almost 9 million tonnes in 2012 (Source: Greenpeace)

China offered advanced notification to the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its plan to ban the importation of 24 types of waste, including plastics for recycling, waste textile materials and all unsorted mixed waste paper, the sort of paper that accumulates in household bins. It also says cardboard for recycling must be “cleaner” and free of contaminants such as gravel, dust and stones.

According to Industry Week, the biggest quantity of waste comes from the US followed by Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and Southeast Asia all of whom export large amounts of recyclables.

Map of China – Recycle IT

Change now!

On January 11^th, 2018 China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) finalized a quality standard of 0.5% for certain imported recyclables. (Source; recycling today)

According to various government and trade organisations located across the globe this action fails to properly consider the negative effects on global recycling efforts, but in our view, we must recognize this change as an opportunity for governments and communities to take responsibility and well as action locally for waste and its possible reuse.

A recent report in the Irish Times suggests Ireland, which has little capacity to recycle plastic has been trying to locate newer recycling markets, but could we do more at home to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Greenpeace urges industries and corporations that manufacture and market plastics and other disposable products to take responsibility for their products through their entire life-cycle, take responsibility for the environmental costs and invest in transformative solutions and alternatives to put an end to the current unmanageable levels of waste produced every year.

Plastic – Recycle IT

What we say

Recycle IT don’t directly offer a plastic recycling service but like lots of organisations and homes we do accumulate plastic as part of our operations. We would love to see better plastic recycling routes and well as a reduction in overall packaging.

In our opinion, all stakeholders need to come together for the common good and find a range of solutions which meet the needs of different countries, markets and communities. Researching local needs, planning and infrastructure can help all stakeholders handle the plastic waste stream, hopefully with positive outcomes for the environment which we all share.

Recent Progress

The first-ever Europe-wide strategy on plastics, was adopted on January 16th 2018. It is a part of the transition towards a more circular economy. It aims to protect the environment from plastic pollution whilst fostering growth and innovation, turning a plastics challenge into a positive for the Future of Europe.

Under the new plans, all plastic packaging on the EU market will be recyclable by 2030, the consumption of single-use plastics will be reduced and the intentional use of microplastics will be restricted.

For further information on recycling packaging includng plastic packaging in Ireland you can call Repak on 01 467 0190 or visit http://www.repak.ie.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Call us on 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Recycling Computers – 9 Reasons

A World of Computers 

Every day is a recycling day for our team. It’s our passion and its the reasons we share regular news, updates and information related to recycling.

In this post we have particularly focused on recycling computer or IT equipment. As we all know there are tons of old PC’s and laptops in homes and offices which are of no further use and could be recycled for reuse.

PC Recycling – Recycle IT

We also know computer owners and pc users are sometimes reluctant to hand old equipment over for recycling.  We hope you can take a few minutes to read and maybe rethink!

Computing Statistics

According to Gartner Dataquest’s statistics, in April 2002 the billionth personal computers was shipped. The second billion mark was supposedly reached in 2007. But how many computers are in use? According to a report by Forrester Research, there were over one billion PCs in use worldwide by the end of 2008. With changing computer trends and emerging markets growing fast, its s estimated that there are over two billion computer type devices in use today. In 2017 alone appox 60 million PCs were shippped each quarter worldwide. That is a lot of PC’s which can be reused and/or recyclecd.

Computer Recycling

Continuous updates in technology are hard to keep up with. Every 12 – 18 months’ new models of computers, laptops, tablets and even phones are introduced. This in turn make older models obsolete, and since they cannot be thrown in the bin, reuse or recycling becomes an option.

Computer recycling hopefully means giving old computers to a licensed waste facility where they are tested for reuse or disassembled into component parts. These components can be further broken down and reused as raw material for a new purpose.

Based on research conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world produced nearly 49 million metric tons of used electrical and electronic products last year. That’s an average of about 20 kg per person or t 8 average laptops for each of the 7 billion people in the world today.

With approximately 240 million – 300 million new computer devices manufactured annually for sale, recycling old computers and computer components is really important and should be regarded as the norm!

Broken Down Computers Hard Drives – Recycle IT

9 Reasons to Recycle Your Old Computer

1. Recycling and Natural Resources

A lot of materials and parts can be recovered from the old electronics. These materials can be reused as raw materials to make new products, thus reducing the need and cost to mine new materials. (e.g. metals like copper and iron)  Did you know the metals recovered from a computer’s circuit board can be recycled to make new circuit boards for other electronics items like house alarms or monitors.

2. Recycling Computers and the Environment

Recycling is very eco-friendly, as it prevents hazardous waste like lead from entering our environment Many old computer contain harmful materials like lead and mercury, and if disposed of improperly, may harm humans, animals or the environment. Instead of dumping electronic equipment or storing items in the house or office why not recycle the items safely 

3. Computer Recycling and Local Employment

Considering that more than 90% of computer products are recyclable, recycling can play a part in creating employment. Social Enterprises such as Recycle IT recover electronic each day. The more we equipment collected and recycled the greater the opportunities for further employment. Recycling is labour intensive and employment can be boosted by recycling locally so support social enterprises like Recycle IT to create jobs!

4. Computer Reuse Supports the Community

As part of community responsibility, reuse of old computers and electrical equipment can helping support the development of community training opportunities. You can enable people to access a computer , learn about technology, build confidence and prepare for a bright future in their community by simple giving your older computer for reuse by community groups or community educational programmes.

5. Eco-Friendly Benefits

The amounts of WEEE being discarded grows daily. Over time, the waste accumulates to take up valuable space in homes, offices warehouses and even outdoors. If toxins leak they can infiltrate soil and water systems which can cause soil and water pollution. Recycling can help reserve these consequences and protect the environment from pollution.

6. Economic Benefits

Some newer computer equipment can be traded. This type of reuse helps the environment and your pocket. Many retail shops are offering trade-in options where you take back old electronic equipment and trade in to reduce the cost of the new equipment. Trading in means economic benefits for you,the consumer and helps shops and manufacturers close the loop on recycling.

Mixed Electronics for Recycling – Recycle IT

7. Recycling Supports Reuse

Recycling helps in the recovery of materials used in the initial manufacturing process. Many parts of computer hardware are reusable, and recycling them prevents them from going to waste. When recycling is complete correctly, fewer resources and energy are needed to manufacture the same products again.

8. Recycling WEEE under Irish Legislation

To address increasing electrical and electronic waste steams the EU introduced the WEEE directive – 2002/96/EC.  Ireland implemented this legislation on time and approved two compliance schemes; WEEE Ireland and ERP Ireland.  The WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC from August 13^th, 2005, places the obligation upon all producers and distributors of waste electronic and electrical equipment to comply . We can all help with compliance by recycling. You can try one of the many retail take back schemes, your local bring centre or recycle with a community organisation.

9. Social Donation

Social responsibility sometime includes being able to donate to worthy causes. What you might consider an old computer maybe a value resource which can be passed to others including families and children who can’t afford to buy a new computer. Refurbishment of computers allows reuse by others including community groups or low-income families.

Recycle for Reuse

Instead of keeping dusty old computers at home or in the office please consider recycling them for component reuse. As you can see it is extremely beneficial to both the environment and community.

Remember computers and similar items can be dropped off at no cost or you can avail of a free community collection service while we are in your area. Recycle IT can also offer a cost-effective personal or business collection if you decide to declutter or create space.

Call our team on 01 4578321 or click here to email for further information.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 100,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT Community Recycler of the Year 2017

Electrical Recycling in Work Initiative 2018

Recycling your old Electrical Equipment in Work 

Electrical and electronic equipment such as computers, TVs, fridges, tablets and mobile phones is one the fastest growing waste streams in the EU, with some 9 million tonnes generated in 2005, and expected to grow to more than 12 million tonnes by 2020. (Source: The European Commission)

General Household Electrical Items for Recycling – Recycle IT

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) combines a mixture of materials, components and hazardous content. If not properly managed this mixture can cause major environmental and health concerns. It also worth noting the production of new electronics requires the use of scarce and expensive resources (e.g. around 10% of total gold worldwide is used for their production).

Collection, treatment and recycling of electronics at the end of their life is therefore essential. This process helps improve the management of old electrical and electronic equipment and to contributes positively to a circular economy and enhance resource efficiency. It also helps maintain and create jobs in our local economy.

New Year 2018 – WEEE to Work Initiative

In order to help with recycling old electrical appliances, Recycle IT are offering organisations of all shapes and sizes based in South Dublin to opportunity to host a WEEE to Work event which will allow staff to recycle all old electrical and electronic equipment on a pre-agreed date during January 2018. All you need to do is call our office from Monday, January 8th to book your collection.

You can recycle any dual purpose home or small office items with a plug or battery free, including batteries through a free collection or drop off all supported by Recycle IT. Please find a full list here

WEEE To Work with Recycle IT in 2018

This is part of our work in the community and we are happy to offer this service during January 2018. As part of this initiative, South Dublin Country Council have agreed to have a WEEE recycling receptacle available in their offices in Tallaght to allow staff recycle.  Your company can follow their lead!

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Call us on 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Global Electronic Waste is Growing!

Recycle IT – January 2018

Electronic Waste has grown Globally by 8% over two years

More than 44 million metric tonnes of electronic waste was generated during 2016, but only 20% has been documented as being collected and recycled, a recent United Nations University (UNU) report found.

E-Waste System Boards from Computers

Today about eight in ten people on the Earth have or are covered by broadband signal and the population of 7.4 billion has 7.7 billion mobile device subscriptions –  amazing but it brings waste!

In 2017,  the Global E-waste Monitor found that items ranging from televisions to solar panels created an electronic waste “mountain” which in weight terms come close to the combined weight of Great Pyramids of Giza.

The report suggests that only one-fifth of global electronic waste is being recycled, despite the waste containing very recoverable materials, such as gold, copper and platinum.

The report produced suggests a 17% increase in electronic waste by 2021, making it the fastest growing domestic waste stream globally. This compares to an increase of 8% between 2014 and 2017 so its forecasted as ever increasing.

What the United Nations say!

Jakob Rhyner from the United Nations University, said. “Improved measurement of e-waste is essential to set and monitor targets, and identify policies. National data should be internationally comparable, frequently updated, published, and interpreted.

Today’s global and regional e-waste estimates which are based on production and trade statistics do not adequately cover the health and environmental risks of unsafe treatment and disposal through incineration or landfills.”

According to the report, just 4% of e-waste produced in 2016 is known to have been discarded into landfills. However, more than 75% is believed to have been incinerated, recycled through informal operations or remains stored in households.

Recycle IT – Computers for Recycling

The report notes that Europe is the second largest e-waste generator, behind the US, per inhabitant, but that it has the highest collection rate at 35%. Africa, meanwhile, generates 1.9kg per inhabitant, but there is hardly any information on collection rates.

Fridge Appliances

Small, large refrigeration type appliances contribute to 75% of global e-waste by weight and the report anticipates that these will be the areas of fastest growth. More disposable income and increased technological applications were cited as drivers for the increase.

Phones and TV’s

The report also says the number of mobile phone subscriptions now exceeds the world’s population. More than eight in 10 people on Earth are covered by broadband signal and the population of 7.4 billion has 7.7 billion mobile device subscriptions.  The report also found that many older analogue TVs are unnecessarily trashed, while the average smart phone life cycle is between 18 months to two years.

Countries have been implored by the UNU to create better design practices in electrical and electronic equipment to facilitate reuse and recycling (EEE), and implement better tracking of e-waste and any recoverable resources.

Computers for Recycling – Recycle IT

The Basel Action Network (BAN) has reiterated a plea for electronic companies to publicly publish information on e-waste destinations. This follows an investigation revealing that many discarded electronic items are being exported to Asia for treatment, leading to unsafe labour and environmental conditions in the recipient countries.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Call us on 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Visit www. recyclinglistireland.ie to learn more

Recycling Christmas Lights & Trees in Dublin 2018

Recycling Christmas Trees  

As the festive season comes to an end after New Years, Recycle IT  are encouraging you to Recycle and Reuse your Christmas Tree and whatever you do don’t throw your tree in a bin or leave it for your bin service to collect!  You can easily recycled for reuse locally with many local authorities providing drop off points across each county.

Christmas Tree Recycling 2017

We acknowledge local areas are offering different services, but after reading this post you should be able find a Christmas tree recycling centre close to your home in Dublin!

It also worth noting if you have old or damaged Christmas Lights Recycle IT will accept them. All lights, old or damaged, large or small, internal or external can be dropped off free of charge from January 2nd 2018 – Learn more here

Some Interesting Facts 

Before you click the links below you might as well learn some facts on what can be done with your trees after the holiday. Kids love this stuff!

• Real Christmas trees are often chipped into mulch at local recycling centre
• Mulch is reused in for animal bedding or wooded areas or local parks.
• Remember it takes time to grow a tree, with a tree  6 to 7 feet taking on average 7 year to grow.
• Recycled real Christmas trees have been used to make sand and soil erosion barriers and been placed in ponds for fish shelter.
• Growing Christmas trees provides a habitat for wildlife.
• Christmas trees can remove dust and pollen from the air.
• Christmas trees have been used to rebuild housing structures for natural wildlife that has been destroyed through development.
• Artificial trees will last on average for six years in your home, but for centuries in a landfill.
• An acre of Christmas trees provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
• You should not burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace; it can contribute to creosote buildup.
• Recycle IT recycle the old electrical decorations with tons of  old lights, cables, plugs and batteries arriving each year – keep them coming!

List of Christmas Tree Recycling Centres 

All the County Council areas in Dublin make arrangements for  Christmas Tree recycling services starting early January 2017 and running right up to the middle of January 2017 .

This service is free and is usually for domestic household trees only.  Usually one tree per household / vehicle will be accepted.  Signage will be placed at the various locations indicating that it is an official recycling point. For a list of locations near you please see below

Recycle The Tree 2017

Christmas Tree Recycling Centres Dublin 

1. South Dublin City Council has made tree recycling arrangements this year at 21 locations in South Dublin. Click here for more details 
2. Dublin City Council has made similar tree recycling arrangements over the years at these locations in Dublin City 
3. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will have Christmas Tree recycling available to residents at the locations listed here
4. Fingal County Council will offer a Christmas Tree recycling service at the locations listed here

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2017 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to thousands of homes, communities, and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Visit our website for further details about recycling old electrical items or call 01 4578321 to book a collection in the New Year!

Happy New Year from all the Recycle IT team

14 Eco Tips to help this Christmas

Care, Sharing, Reuse and Recycling

More than any other time off the year, Christmas time offers a chance for caring, sharing and giving. Young and old embrace traditions handed down over generations and come to together to celebrate.

It’s also important to remember our environment over the festive season. We all have a responsibility to keep the environment safe so everyone has a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of crisp fresh winter days and the surrounding landscape which is sleeping over winter in preparation for spring.

Eco-Friendly-Christmas Wreath for 2017

Weather you’re at home or out and about over Christmas and New Year try to remember the eco-friendly motto of reduce, reuse and recycle and we might be able to help a little! 

With two weeks left until the big day we have assembled 14 festive tips which will help you to think about the environmental and maybe save a little money at the same time!

14 tips which will take you up to Christmas Day 2017

1. Use recycled Christmas wrapping and Christmas cards.
2. Cut up your old Christmas cards and use as present labels.
3. Bring bags to the shops and reuse them for Christmas shopping.
4. Buy rechargeable batteries for toys from Santa.
5. Stick new labels on old envelopes and reuse.
6. Get you family making cards for family and friends.
7. Buy gifts that don’t have much packaging like vouchers or tickets.
8. Choose a present of antique art, silver or jewellery and promote reuse.
9. Use fruit and vegetables which is not pre-packed and reduce packaging.
10. Visit your local food banks with surplus food and drinks.
11. Compost your seasonal vegetables, peelings
12. Recycle glass, plastic and metal packaging including bottles and cans.
13. Buy high quality, hand-made, or craft gifts that will last.
14. Reuse last year’s Christmas Jumper and Santa Hat for the office party.

Christmas Santa Hat

 Recycling this Christmas and into 2018

If you receive a  gift this year that isn’t a favourite, try to share it with someone who will enjoy it.  Kids charities will also accept donations of unused toys as will schools and your local creche  Many families will receive great presents which will replace old or damaged electronic gadgets. You can recycle the old items at either your local recycling centre or at the shop where your electrical present was purchased.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2017 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves  TV’s and much more!

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Visit our website for further details or call 01 4578321.

Happy Christmas 2017 and all the best for 2018.

Waste List for Ireland

Recyclable Waste List 

You will find the most recently published and nationally agreed household recycling  waste list in picture format below.  Remember if it’s not on the list it doesn’t belong in the bin. Please make sure that all items are clean, dry and placed loosely in the bin.

Plastic Waste

Some Reasons for the Updated Waste List 

China recently introduced an import ban on 24 categories of solid waste, including a ban on some paper and plastics which are used by retailers as packaging for many household items. This packaging usually ends up in your recycling bin. The ban by China (which is their right) resulted in a problem for waste companies. It been hard to find new outlets/countries to dispose of this waste. (you have to ask why should others accept our waste). As a result prices have risen with fees now introduced for green bin collections.

Plastics 

Today we are recovering and recycling 35% of its plastic waste, considerably ahead of EU targets, but those targets were about to double. A yearly total of 95,000 tons of plastic are recycled, but this figure will need to increase to match the 190,000 tons which is the new target for Ireland. You can help by recycling the below plastics.

Rigid Plastic – Recycle IT

Tins and Cans 

Steel tins and cans are commonly used for anything from coffee to soup and pet food. They is one of the most recycled materials in Ireland. Recycling a tin or steel cans is easy, just give them a quick wash out and drop them in the bins.

Recycling Tin and Cans

Paper and Cardboard

Used paper and cardboard can be turned into new paper or cardboard, but the quality of the material usually diminishes with each recycling treatment. After five to seven reuses the material has reached its useful end but there is a solution – by adding new paper fibers to each recycling cycle paper is given lots for extra life. Good news for us!

Paper and Cardboard – Recycle IT

Recycled materials such as paper and cardboard, metals and plastic are commodities which can be sold on the global market but the prices and demand for material constantly fluctuate. In order for these materials to reach their maximum value they need to be presented clean and sorted so please do your best when placing them in the bin.

Please note, electrical, electronic or battery operated items (including batteries) don’t go in the recycle bin. Old phones, kettles, toasters, electronic toys, batteries and  much more can be recycled with Recycle IT – You with find a full list of items here 

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Call us on 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Visit www. recyclinglistireland.ie to learn more

Light up Christmas – Green the Lights

Some Facts on Christmas Lights!

Over many generations and into the 20th century candles of all shapes and sizes were the preferred Christmas lights across Ireland. The dangers of mixing flickering flames with drying needles from real Christmas trees was accepted in order to make homes and communities brighter places for a few days in December each year!

Lighting Up Christmas – Reduce – Reuse – Recycle – Recycle IT 

The earliest manufactured Christmas lights were made of blown glass or porcelain and appeared on Christmas trees in the homes of wealthy people in the 1800’s. In the early 1900’s, it was fashionable to buy hand-painted bulbs shaped like animals and flowers.

As you can imagine the general public  at first didn’t trust electric lights as a safe alternative to candles, but that changed after  US President, Grover Cleveland erected the first Christmas tree with electrical lights in 1895. With more than 100 multicolored bulbs, the brightly colored tree got the attention of people across the USA, and illuminated Christmas trees soon became the rage all over the world, —if you could afford one!

Changes

This year lots of families in cities, towns and communities across Ireland will be switching on new Christmas light. Today most of these light will be LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights which means traditional lights are no longer favoured.

 

Older Christmas Bulbs – Recycle IT

DIY Lights

We suggested finding a new use for your old lights so why not start today.  You will find some awesome DIY ideas for reusing / recycling old light and bulbs at www.brit.co   The team at brit have listed lots tips with pictures which demonstrates what can be achieved. Whether you’plan to turn light bulbs into small vases or cover it with glitter to masquerade as a festive pear, these versatile pieces of glass can be reused anywhere.

Christmas lights can be reused at other times of year.  You and your kids can make some of the lights covers in the shape of Valentine Hearts, Easter Bunnies or Halloween Pumpkins and you have colorful decorations for many different celebrates or festivals

New Lights

Today LED lighting offers many benefits and features that were difficult,  if not impossible, to offer with old lighting used over many generations. These benefits, include enhancing operating energy leading to cost reductions, longer life and lower overall heat generation. Others benefits include appearance productivity and reduce temperatures produced by LEDs. You can read more below!

1. Most LED lights cost only little more than traditional Christmas lights and glow brighter.
2. By changing to LED lights you will save on electricity during the festive season.
3. A longer life span means lower carbon emissions. LED Lights last up to six times longer than other types of lights, reducing the requirement for frequent replacements.
4. Strings of LED light can be much longer than traditional lights
5. New LED lights generally stay cooler which is deemed safer.
6. LED lights now create the glow of incandescent light or traditional fairy lights so you can relive memories of years ago.
7. LED lights contain no toxic elements therefore they help to protect the environment and reduce toxic waste created by traditional Christmas lights.
8. 95% of the energy in LED lights is converted into lighting with only 5% wasted as heat.

Reused and Recycled Lights

Before you buy lights this festive season, it’s important to compare your options and find out the type of lighting works best for you and your home. Whether it’s incandescent lighting or LEDs you choose. Remember LEDs can save you money and reduce energy consumption which is a positive for the pocket and the environment.

Recycling Lights

Whether its old indoor, outdoor, colored or white lights, you should try to reuse or recycle. Old lights and other unused Christmas illuminations should not left sitting in boxes in the store, shed or garage. They’ll usually never shine again once replaced by newer alternatives. In reality unused items creates unnecessary clutter which will need to cleared in the future.

If you do decide to recycle your old lights please do so in an environmentally friendly way. Recycle IT are happy to collect old lights and other electrical or electronic items or you can drop them off with our recycling team. You can also drop them at your local recycling or bring centre. 

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2015 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 100,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Visit our website for further details.

Recycle IT are Recoginsed as Age Friendly

 

Why Should People Recycle?

What Motivates Recycling?

The benefits of recycling are sound and positive. They include reducing waste sent to landfills, safeguarding natural resources, reduced pollution and job creation.

Most people do try to recycle most of the time, but it really needs to be all of the people all the time! The Irish Environmental Protection Agency indicated in 2015 that a third of household waste is recycled, with Ireland ranked joint third in Europe for reducing the amount of rubbish going to landfill.

Recycle with Recycle IT

Recycling achievements over the last 20 years include

• 126 landfills in Ireland, reduced to 4
• 10 million tonnes of packaging diverted from landfill
• 8 billion plastic bottles recycled
• 7 billion glass bottles recycled
• 6 billion aluminium cans recycled
• 4 million tonnes of paper and cardboard
• Separate yearly collection of 8.6KG per person of WEEE from households.

Reward Driven

Human are reward driven by nature and because the reward for recycling is not immediate and the repercussions are in the future many people develop a habit of total waste disposal. They don’t see the effects of climate change, global warming and environmental harm as affecting them in the present.

Barriers to Recycling

We need to look at potential and real barriers to recycling and take action to increase reduce, reuse and recycling participation in our homes and local communities.

Different areas, communities and people will face barriers to recycling with some requiring unique recycling solutions to overcome these barriers

The graph below lists the top reasons people said they don’t recycle more:

Source: Ipsos poll conducted 2011 (Published by the Huffington Post) Reformatted by Recycle IT

Encouraging Change

Practical solutions are important and can increase recycling participate rates, for example if recycling drop off initiatives are inconvenient for your areas could curb side collections be researched and introduced to improve recycling rates. This is a solution Recycle IT introduced a number of years ago.

Partnerships with shops, sometimes make convenient drop-off sites because people are already visiting them e.g. Charity shops.

Sometimes a charge puts a value on the service and people see the real cost to recycle.

Making educational materials available in communities can help eliminate confusion about what’s recyclable, what’s not and where!

Penalties for not recycling are especially effective at encouraging people to learn local recycling rules.

Reward or fun events can reinforce action. This can be as easy as well publicized information event about the tangible benefits of recycling participation for communities in recycling initiatives.

People don’t recycle because of sheer inconvenience. No recycling receptacles in the office can lead to a plastic bottle going in the general waste bin. Why not setup a recycling initiative in your office, take the bottle home or use a reusable bottle

Uncertainty. Many people are confused about which items can or can’t be recycled. Thinks about plastic yogurt pots or paper towel tubes? What do you do? Read more in an article by Conor Pope in the Irish Times

Don’t realise economic benefit. Did you know that organisation such as Recycle IT can create training opportunities and jobs based on recycling old electrical, electronic and pure metal items?

Electronic Change

Electronic gadgets of all kinds can be incredibly useful and benefit all parts of our lives. The biggest downsides of electronics are that their components are toxic to the environment, and sometimes to us, once they’re just thrown away and left to leach into the earth. The best thing you can do is, slow down the purchase cycle, use gadgets for longer, offer for reuse and lastly recycle safely with an organisation like Recycle IT

Recycle IT – We Recycle Box

We should all care about recycling now, so our children and grandchildren can have cleaner greener futures on a planet which is central to our very existence.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 140,000 homes and organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Managing Festive Clutter – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce stress this Festive Season

Nights out, work deadlines, parties, family engagements and lots of other competing responsibilities can cause lots of stress in our daily lives around the festive season. The build up of clutter around your home is another cause of stress. Research shows that clutter can be a hidden stress factor both at home and work. One of the biggest offender is electrical clutter as we are buying new gadgets all the time.

Our aim is simple, reduce reuse or recycle your excess stuff in order to reduce stress and increase spare time. No more moving old and once useful stuff from one location to another therefore more time for you and your family.

Research by Lloyd’s TSB suggests homes are now packed to the roof with clutter. The most cluttered room in the house is the main bedroom, followed by spare bedrooms with generation x aged between 35 and 44 hoarding the most. Why is this?

Reduce Clutter – Recycle Cables with Recycle IT

In Ireland a 2015 study found that on average two in five Irish adults (38%) consider themselves to be hoarders, meaning more clutter (Source: Empathy Research)  Further research commissioned by NESTA outlined 58% of respondents found it hard to get rid of their possessions.

The National Association of Professional Organizations shows there is a direct correlation between productivity and clutter. Productivity declines when clutter and chaos rise. Piles of paper, unorganised kitchen space or play rooms, old receipts, bills and paperwork stuffed in boxes or drawers will take over your home over a period of time.

Reduce clutter

Clutter is anything we have gathered or collected but have not yet processed or dealt with. Examples include unread books, old electronic equipment, files which have not been filed properly; clothes thrown on the floor, stuff that you no longer need, want or use but you still possess. Remember, clutter is not usually confined to one area can be spread across you home.

Floor Plan

What to do?

Before anything else, make a simple plan with specific and simple goals that will reduce your frustration and stress.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you start de-cluttering your home:

• Make a map or plan of all the rooms and areas with clutter  you want to tackle.
• Give each space a grade based on the severity of the clutter. For example, on a scale of 1 – 5 (5 being the most cluttered), a particularly messy room or garage area would get a 5. This will help you prioritise your time.
• Do one room at a time.
• Set finish dates for each area of your clean-up. Be sure to pick dates that are real so you don’t get annoyed.
• Plan time to work on specific areas which may take longer like a garden shed or attic.
• Plan for days you might need help with lifting on moving items.

As you go through the rooms in your house, you will need a system for sorting the items you find. You can create your own method, or you can use boxes as a route to sorting clutter. This method forces you to make a decision item by item, so you don’t end up with a bigger mess than the one you started with.

So find three or four large boxes or storage bins (any type). Label each of them up as follows, 1. Keep, 2. Remove  3. Store. These solution applies to the all physical space you spend your time in on a day-to-day basis: your home, workspace and the car.

Declutter with Boxes

Once the stuff is in boxes you can decide what you want to do with the items for removal. We have a list of some solutions of which might work for you.

10  things which work! 

1. Sell stuff online, e.g. Ebay, Done Deal or Adverts.
2. Repurpose old stuff with some DIY and help from friends.
3. Donate to charity or community organisations.
4. Use items or ask someone else if they can use the items.
5. Gift your items to friends or colleague with an interest in them.
6. Share items free for reuse. Go online or find an exchange network.
7. Don’t hold onto items once they have made the box.
8. Recycle all old electrical, electronic and battery operated items.
9. Moving forward, recycle stuff immediately when used or end of life.
10. Recycle one day at a time and don’t let the clutter start again.

If you have not used, needed or loved an item in a year or more you most likely don’t need it so let go, recycle it.  If you have worn out or broken items that you haven’t fixed, recycle all.

If you feel guilty at throwing an item away, consider gifting or donating ( based on the condition). This can boost your energy and self-esteem, in addition to getting rid of your clutter.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical, electronic and metal items. During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 100,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

The Recycle IT electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

European Week for Waste Reduction 2017

A Week in November 2017 has started!

As Christmas is fast approaching, we are reminding organisations and householders to repurpose, reuse and repair in order to reduce waste and save some extra money for use during the festive season!

You can make a start during European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) which runs from November 18th until November 26th 2017. This European-wide project focuses on reducing waste, reusing products and recycling materials and is promoted in all European Member States.

This year’s thematic focus is “Reuse and Repair: Give it a new life!”, aims to inspire appreciation for products and resources, and adding new value to old things.. Its worth noting that with greater reuse and repair will come reductions in the use of new natural resources and reduced carbon emissions.

The initiative aims to promote the implementation of awareness-raising actions about reduce, reuse and repair during a single week. It also aims to encourage a wide range of audiences including public authorities, private companies, civil society and you, the citizens to get involved.

Reused Bottle Tops as Tea light

• The EWWR’s objectives are:
  • to raise awareness about waste reduction, product reuse and material recycling strategies, and related European Union and Member States policies,
  • to highlight the work accomplished by EWWR participants,
  • to mobilise and encourage European citizens to concentrate on four key action themes,
  • to reinforce EWWR stakeholders’ capacities by providing them with targeted communication tools and training,
  • to assess the impact of communication actions on concrete behaviour change regarding consumption and waste management patterns.

You can take part of the EWWR in three different ways:

1. Action developer: this is for public authorities, associations, NGOs, businesses, educational establishments, another bodies or individual citizens interested in carrying out an awareness-raising action on waste reduction, reuse or recycling during next EWWR
2. Participants: this is for an individual or a group wanting to participate in an action taking place during the EWWR
3. EWWR Coordinator: this is for a public authority competent in the field of waste prevention, interested in coordinating the Week in your area

Read more about how to take part here.

More about European Week for Waste Reduction

To learn more or get involved in European Week for Waste Reduction please visit the website

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a friendly, needs driven recycler, recycling all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Collections are offered to homes, communities, educators and charities at no charge. Community engagement is achieved in many ways including building good relationships, offering door to door collections and providing people with real help in lifting and moving equipment.  Recycle IT engage young and old, charities and business and encourage reduce, reuse and recycle with the message reinforced through flyers, community events, workshops, newsletters, regular blog posts and recognition.

You can email Recycle IT here, call our team on 01 4578321 or visit our website www.recycleit.ie to get more information.

 

Recycle IT – Community Recycling Project of the Year 2017

Pakman Awards Winner 2017 

The Pakman Awards seek to recognise complete excellence in the environmental approach taken by a business, organisation or community group in all aspects of their operations.

This year, the Pakman Awards judging panel was looking for measurable impacts across all elements of the waste hierarchy. This included reuse, reduction, recycling and waste minimisation alongside environmental management of food, water, energy and biodiversity. 2017 saw the highest number entries ever for the Pakman Awards which is a great achievement and testimony to the work of Repak.

Pakman Awards 2017 – Recycle IT

Among the winners were LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice which campaigned for people to recycle batteries by showing them that in doing so, they are truly making a difference to the hospice. You will find the full list of award winners below.

 Pakman Awards 2017 Winners List:

• The Pakman Award 2017, sponsored by Repak: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE) Overall Winner.
• Community Recycling Project of the Year Award 2017, sponsored by WEEE Ireland: Recycle IT
• Waste Collection Operator of the Year 2017, sponsored by the Irish Waste Management Association: Thorntons Recycling
• Waste Prevention Business of the Year 2017, sponsored by the EPA: Macroom E – Smile Resource Exchange
• Waste Collector of The Year Household 2017, sponsored by IWMA: Clean Ireland Recycling
• Waste Collection Operator of the Year Commercial Award 2017, sponsored by the Irish Waste Management Association: Thorntons Recycling
• Professional Services Award 2017, sponsored by Arthur Cox: Raidió Teilifís Éireann
• Innovation in Waste Management 2017, sponsored by Repak: Waste Matters Ireland
• Green Transport of the Year Award 2017 sponsored by AMCS: Matthews Coach Hire Ltd
• Food Waste Management Award 2017 sponsored by Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment: Sligo University Hospital
• Environmental Education and Awareness Initiative 2017 sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Waste Management Ireland: ReCreate
• Business Recycling Champion 2017, sponsored by Repak: Lidl Ireland GmbH
• The Bring Centre of the Year 2017, sponsored by the Irish Waste Management Association: Galway City Council
• The Battery Champion Award sponsored by European Recycling Platform: LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice

Awards Night Dublin, 26^th October 2016:

Recycle IT were named winner of the Community Recycling Project of the Year Award 2017, sponsored by WEEE Ireland.  The awards ceremony, which took place at the InterContinental Dublin Hotel, saw over 400 representatives from leading businesses, organisations and community groups come together to recognise excellence in recycling, energy and waste management.

Winners announced at 2017 Pakman Awards. Pictured at the Pakman Awards 2017 was Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten TD with John McEntee and Una Lavelle from Recycle IT, winner of Community Recycling Project of the Year category, and Leo O’Donovan WEEE Ireland (right).

On the evening, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Mr. Denis Naughten: spoke about the Repak Pakman Award and the waste management sector saying  “Your initiative in hosting these awards and the support of your sponsors is recognised by me as Minister and by this Government.

By honouring those organisations and leaders that go over and above their regulatory obligations to strive for excellence in the management of waste and recycling, you are playing a key part in the step change that is happening in our society.

The need to be smart with the resources we use is becoming more and more understood across the wider economy.  This has been reflected in the breadth and number of companies, organisations and individuals vying to be recognised for their efforts here this evening and rightly so. Our environment is complex and it is fragile. To survive in the twenty first century we must move-on from the model we have inherited from the industrial revolution. The challenge is not just to change what we do; it is to reimagine how we think. We must reconfigure our economic model from one based on consumption to one based on efficiency.  It is the efficiency of our economy that will determine the sustainability of our production and of our planet. Every one of us, in every community across the country, in every country across the world, has a role to play. No one can be done without”.

About Repak

Repak is a not for profit, for purpose company, established in 1997. Repak was created by Ireland’s recycling industry to help companies meet their legal obligation with packaging legislation.

Repak has over  2,200 members who are producers of packaging who places more than 10 tonnes of packaging onto the Irish market with a turnover of €1 million in the calendar year.

Repak’s fees are based on a pay-as-you-produce basis i.e. the more packaging placed on the market by a producer, the higher their fee. The fees paid to Repak by its members are used to subsidise the collection and recovery of waste packaging through registered recovery operators (the people who come and collect your rubbish for sorting and separation) across Ireland, so that the individual member companies are exempt from this requirement.

Companies in Ireland can join Repak, self-comply themselves or avoid the law altogether. Repak is approved under license by the Government to operate as a compliance scheme for packaging recycling. Since Repak was set up in 1997 packaging recycling and recovery in Ireland has grown from a very low base, under 15% to over 91% in 2016. Ireland is now one of the leading recycling countries in the EU for packaging recycling.

Repak has recycling targets set out by the Department for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment and the EU and has achieved and surpassed these year on year since its establishment.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a friendly, needs driven recycler, recycling all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Collections are offered to homes, communities, educators and charities at no charge. Community engagement is achieved in many ways including building good relationships, offering door to door collections and providing people with real help in lifting and moving equipment.  Recycle IT engage young and old, charities and business and encourage reduce, reuse and recycle with the message reinforced through flyers, community events, workshops, newsletters, regular blog posts and recognition.

You can email Recycle IT here, call our team on 01 4578321 or visit our website www.recycleit.ie to get more information.

2017 Pakman Award Winner – Recycle IT

Free Electrical Recycling for Charities

Recycling with Charities – Collection Service

One of the many questions facing community and voluntary sector managers throughout the year is how to create additional space while safely removing and recycling surplus or redundant equipment including electrical and electronic items. This might include computers, monitors, photocopiers, servers, cables, racking or old canteen and kitchen appliances.

Free WEEE Recycling Service

Managers sometimes need to find a service which, can offer a safe, timely and environmentally friendly recycling solution. Recycle IT offer this service and collection is free to charities and community groups. Over the last year we have worked with hundreds of not for profit organisations and community groups to collect and recycle electrical items. This free service is central to the values of our organisation.

What we do! 

With over 15 years experience and a located just of the M50 Recycle IT can help you recycle all dual purpose (home and small office) electrical equipment quickly, effectively and at no cost. We accept pure metal items like radiators, bikes, cabinets and locker free but larger commercial equipment both electrical and metal may incur a recycling fee.

Our experienced teams provide a friendly and professional service to organisations in Dublin and the surrounding areas daily.  We collect directly from your building and ensure safe recycling of your items.

Charity Recycling – Recycle IT

Many items collected are broken down into their component parts for processing into new raw materials. Our team can provide affordable physical destruction of hard disk drives upon request. We now also collect all types of pure metal items like old metal lockers, cabinets as part of our service. Our team can also collect items from staff or volunteers as part of any charity collection so encourage them to bring in old electrical items from home!

For further information or to book a collection just call or email us.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not for profit social enterprise providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

During 2016 Recycle IT offered collection services to 100,000 homes and organisations across Dublin and surrounding areas. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland, with support from South Dublin County Council and South Dublin Country Partnership.

Recycle IT is authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT as a social enterprise is part funded through Community Services Programme operated by Pobal. Any income earned is used to finance operations which includes provision of new training and employment opportunities.

Recycle IT Commended for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 2017

 

Fridge-Freezer Recycling

Answering Questions on Recycling Refrigerated Appliances

Think about the refrigerated appliances used in your home or office?  Today we have fridge-freezers, fridges, side-by-side fridge-freezers, chest freezers, wine cooler, mini fridges, air-conditioners, humidifier and water coolers. They are really convenience and make home and work life uncomplicated. The fact is, fridges and freezers are now taken for granted until it’s time to renew or replace them.

When a fridge of any sort comes to the end of its life its important that appliance owners, buyers and users play their part in protecting the environmental by safeguarding against reckless appliance disposal. It’s worth remembering refrigerated appliances can be hazardous if not recycled correctly by authorised, licensed and experienced recyclers.

Festive Fridge Frezzer

Below you will find some of the reasons why!

1. Household appliances may contain hazardous components including used oil and mercury. For example, cooling circuits contains oil which ca be contaminated with ODS refrigerant. Some refrigerators and chest freezers manufactured prior to the year 2000 have mercury-containing components (i.e., switches and relays).
2. If improperly disposed of, used oil and dissolved refrigerant oil from refrigerated appliances can be release resulting in contaminated soil and/or groundwater.
3. Exposure to used oil or dissolved refrigerant can result in health concerns.
4. If leaking or damaged appliances are dumped mercury can leak and accumulates in plants and animal life. When consumed by humans this can lead to health concerns.
5. A variety of toxic substances (carcinogenic and non-cancerous) when release in a non-controlled environment can cause health concerns for humans.
6. The use of refrigerated appliances over the years has increased risk of climate change mainly due to the used and improper disposal of greenhouse gases.
7. Refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 2005 are insulated with foam that contains ODS that contribute to both ozone depletion and climate change.

How to we dispose of an old appliance in an environmentally responsible way?

Electrical appliances retailers offer appliance take back schemes and sometimes offer a pick-up and disposal services with the purchase and delivery of a new model.

Some retailers may allow you to drop off the old appliance at the retail establishment so it worth checking it out in your area.

Civic amenity sites take dual purpose home and office electrical items including large household appliances free once you can transport them.

Trained and authorised appliance repair services and service engineers can decommission, remove and sometimes repair, damaged appliances safely.

Home appliance recycling centres such as Recycle IT offer collection and free drop off services for large and small electrical appliances.

Why recycle

Almost all the materials in your refrigerator or freezer can be recycled. This includes the metal cabinet, plastic liner, glass shelves, the refrigerant and oil in the compressor, and the blowing agent contained in polyurethane foam insulation. Appliance recycling typically entails recovery of refrigerant and removal of hazardous components followed by shredding of evacuated appliances. It important say, refrigerant and compressors should only be removed by trained individuals.

When you recycle with an authorised recycler it means your fridge will be disposed of correctly and not just buried in the ground.

What typically happens to my old refrigerator or freezer once I get rid of it?

• After appliances are collected they are transferred to a large recycling facility for licensed breakdown.
• On occasion refrigerated appliances that are in working condition are refurbished and resold domestically or abroad. This is not always a good option.

Recycling Old Refrigeration Equipment Reason Way?

• Older appliances consume greater amounts of electricity and are less efficient toward the end of their life.  Where possible appliance re-sale should be avoided to save energy over the longer term.
• Freeze units resold in developing countries is a short-term solution as their ultimate disposal is less likely to be carried out responsibly.
• When disposing of a refrigerated appliance, inquire about the disposal practices of the organisation removing your unit to ensure that it will be disposed of responsibly.
• If you learn about illegal or suspect activities (e.g., refrigerant venting, you can file a report or complaint with the National Environmental Complaints Line
• You can always call or email recycle IT to get more information or to book an authorised collection of old domestic or office based refrigeration appliance or any waste electrical or electronic equipment (WEEE).

Finally

Remember unauthorised curb-side or door to door collectors might improperly vent refrigerant or otherwise dispose of the electrical appliance in an unsafe manner so please use an authorised service to recycle your old fridge and other electrical and electronic equipment.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise in Dublin providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recycle IT offered collection services to 100,000 homes and organisations across Dublin and surrounding areas each year collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, TV’s and much more.

Our award-winning services are supported by South Dublin Country Council, South Dublin Country Partnership and provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. We are authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authority.

Visit our website for further details or learn more about reuse month here

Recycle IT Logo

Bulbs not Bonfires

Bulbs not Bonfires in South Dublin 

In Ireland, Halloween bonfires and fireworks are illegal, very dangerous and can have lasting consequences on personal and environmental health, safety and wellbeing. Evidence suggests that young people are the most likely to be injured in incidents involving bonfires and fireworks. We also know bonfires; release toxic fumes into the atmosphere and the physical environment is scarred for months after.

Safe and Eco-Friendly Halloween

Over recent years there has been a reduction in the number of bonfires in Dublin which is great news. This reduction helps save County Councils and communities thousands of hours and euros on cleanups which can then be reallocated to other worthwhile purposes.

This year as Halloween approaches South Dublin County Council wants to encouraging people to have a Safe Halloween by providing communities with daffodil bulbs to plant which will result in lovely spring flowers. These flowers aim to replace scarred and damaged open space which can be viewed throughout the year and are the aftermath of bonfires.

Bulbs not Bonfires – Daffodil Flowers

Rewards 

Bulbs not Bonfires is a reward in the South Dublin County Council’s Social Credits Scheme. This scheme rewards community groups for undertaking local pro-environmental / non-bonfire orientated Halloween activities and projects.

Community groups, environmental groups, resident associations and schools can apply for BULBS outlining a plan to create a Safe Halloween. Applicants must also nominate the site location for planting and submit photos of the site along with their applications.

How Recycle IT can help?

If your community gets involved and needs a little help with the recycling of old electrical items during the period leading up to Halloween Recycle IT are happy to support.  We work yearly with community groups, schools and local resident’s groups to arrange authorised electrical recycling collections or drop offs which reduces the likelihood of electrical items such as bulbs or batteries finding their way onto bonfires. Just click here for our contact details.

Bulbs not Bonfires application can be sent to envawareness@sdublincoco.ie

The closing date for applications is Friday 13th October 2017. All applications will be dealt with on a first come first served rule.

Good luck and enjoy Halloween 2017.

Autumn Waste Reduction by Recycle IT

Waste Reduction Ideas from Recycle IT

Today more than ever before we understand our planet and how it works. We receive green news updates daily from many different sources and information about the earth, its ecosystems and the impacts of human activity is at our finger tips immediately.

As you know careful management of natural resources will have a long-lasting and positive effect on our environment and our way of life. We all have responsibility for ensuring that our government and local communities work together to protect our environment and our precious resources

Shopping Basket

 

As a starting point Recycle IT looked at a popular pastime in Ireland, “Shopping“.We assembled some tips below which hopefully can help you do an eco-friendly and green shop the next time out!

15 Eco Tips for Shopping

1. Look at need V want – ask yourself if you really need the item or really want unnecessary items?
2. Always make a list – buy only what you need and stop impulse buying by sticking to the list.
3. It’s best not to shop when you’re hungry.
4. Don’t bring your kids shopping – it is stressful at times and you leave with more wants than needs!
5. Choose products – with no packaging or recyclable packaging (fresh fruit Vs frozen)
6. Buy fresh fruit & veggies – with no packaging or it’s even better if you grow your own!
7. Buy and use less household cleaners, always read the labels and look for natural and safe alternatives if your think cleaning products are toxic.
8. Try buying everyday items in bulk; it reduces the amount of packaging and saves money e.g. rice and pasta.
9. Move to reusable products – avoid single use products like batteries, nappies, disposable razors, plates or cutlery.
10. Ask yourself some questions when shopping – Is it reliable? Can it be repaired, refilled, reused and restored?
11. How will the product look, feel and function as it gets older? e.g. electrical or electronic items.
12. Consider buying second-hand, hiring / renting or borrowing occasionally used items around the house e.g. share a lawn mower
13. Use your local library to access books, games, movies and events.
14. Every purchase makes an impact, your pocket as well as the environment so shop wise and ethically.
15. Plan shopping trips so you don’t have to go out multiple times. This save time, money and can help reduces CO2 emissions for transport users.

Recycle your Euro’s – Shop Green and Local

The Green Shopper 

Shopping with a sustainable mindset can help save money and achieve your eco principles. Try shopping local, grow your own and source products from businesses with real sustainable values. There are lots of small business owners making the effort to be environmentally friendly so keep an eye out and support them when you can!

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise in Dublin providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recycle IT offered collection services to 100,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas yearly collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, TV’s. and much more  Our services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland We are authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authority. Visit our website for further details.

Recycle IT – Pakman Award Winner 2016

Organisations – Recycling Old Electronics

Change is good! 

As you will know from information in the media there is general belief that emissions of greenhouse gases are a key factor in climate change and that urgent action by people, worldwide including governments, business leaders and individuals is required to ensure emissions firstly stand still and then are reduced so further harm to world is stopped.

Electrical Recycling at Work – Collection by Recycle IT

The overall message to nations is one of less reliance on fossil fuel and mining of raw materials. Nations need to work on developing a low-carbon society. Recycling can help and especially recycling electrical and electronic waste. It supports the recovery of valuable metals and plastics which ultimately reduces the need for mining and drilling. This results in the reduced use of fossil fuel and processing of raw materials.

Why recycle? 

Each year, individuals and organisations throw away millions of electronic appliances so it important to  constantly remind ourselves that recycling electronic waste helps protect our health and our environment by:

• diverting thousands of tons of waste from landfills and incinerators;
• keeping toxins such as lead, mercury and cadmium from contaminating the air, water and soil; and
• conserving natural resources by allowing valuable materials to be reclaimed and reused, rather than using virgin raw material.

Recycle IT – Computers for Recycling

Recycling Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

Recycle IT is an award-winning electrical recycler working daily to help create cleaner, greener communities and raise awareness of electrical recycling.

If you need an eco-friendly office clear-out which includes recycling old computers, printers, monitors, kitchen or canteen equipment our collection service and trained teams will make it easy and cost-effective. You can also drop off dual purpose home and office equipment for recycling.  Just call 01 4578321 in advance.

You can also benefit from a complementary WEEE to Work collection day at the same time.

More about WEEE to Work Recycling Days

Work recycling days aim to encourage organisations of all sizes to offer staff an opportunity to recycle with ease by taking their old electrical or electronic items from home to work on a pre-defined day.

Items are assembled in a central location for collection and recycled alongside equipment from the organisation.

It’s a win, win eco-friendly solution which helps with electronic breakdown and reuse, it creates space and helps staff save time at home by recycling in work. It’s just a great green initiative for organisations wishing to be better corporate citizens.

Please call or email our team 

You can speak with us on 01 4578321 or email us today about collecting your old electrical and battery operated items. We have vehicles to service all types of locations and we are licensed and authorised to support you.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a social enterprise and the only community based electrical recycling organisation in Dublin offering a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

During 2016 Recycle IT offered collections to 100,000 homes, schools and charities across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including computers, fridges, monitors and TV’s. Income generated through paid collections is reinvested in operations including community collections.

Our collection and drop off services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland We are authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authority.

Recycle IT – Pakman Award Winner 2016

Visit our website for further details.

What about Electric Vehicles

Electric vans today!

Recycle IT are similar to most organisations requiring transport to get a job done meaning fossil fuel vans and trucks are used by our team to collect waste electrical equipment for recycling daily.  This is changing!  Now electric vehicles can do the same or similar work with the added benefit of helping reduce carbon emissions and create a cleaner, greener environment for all.

The Nissan NV200 Electric Van

Today, there are more electric vans on for sale than ever before.  With no CO2  exhaust emissions  you can get tasks completed without contributing further to global warming. Electric vans are virtually noiseless with only faint high-pitched sound from the electric motor. Charging an electric van takes approx. eight hours for a full battery and can be quicker if rapid charging stations are installed and available. With vans now available in different sizes it’s time to plan a transport change?

Making the change!

Recent reports say the DHL Group and U.S. car manufacturer Ford have released a jointly manufactured a new electric delivery van. This van was developed to address the growing demand for emission friendly delivery and collection vehicles.  The van is branded the “StreetScooter WORK XL” and merges a Ford Transit chassis with an electric drivetrain designed for DHL, the worldwide logistics company.

DHL Electric Collection & Delivery Van

This is the third and largest electric delivery van made by DHL, which began manufacturing its own vehicles after finding none that met its specifications. A further options includes the Nissan NV200 which is available for purchase in Ireland.

There is a plan to put 2,500 of the new electric vans on the roads in major cities by the end of 2018. These new van  are expected  to save 5 metrics tons (5.5 tons) of carbon dioxide each year. This initiative will also help address recent announcements by governments to remove petrol and diesel vehicles from the road by the middle of the century.

DHL has already started selling smaller models of it electrical vans to third parties and the StreetScooter WORK XL will also be available for purchase but no date has been announced.

Dublin based GoCar recently announced its GoElectric range, consisting of a fleet of up to 10 BMW i3 electric cars . This expansion of the GoCar fleet gives members the chance to  zip through Dublin in new and eco-friendly electric vehicles. It’s fair to say these car will probably be followed with electrical vans once demand grows!

Go Car Electric Car

Recycle IT would love to be in the same position as DHL and GoCar but as a not for profit social enterprise it may take a little time to transition from our current collection vans to newer and more eco-friendly electric models. One thing we can say is  “it’s on our wish list and with time we will make the wish come true”

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not for profit social enterprise providing collection and drop off services for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).  During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 100,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting thousands of TV’s, cables, monitors, microwaves and washing machines.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland.  Recycle IT are supported by South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

To learn more about Recycle IT call 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT Logo

Battery Recycling – Now is good!

Did you know?

Did you know waste batteries are classified as hazardous waste and recycling is always the best option? Ordinary household batteries used in radio’s, remotes, kids, toys and other gadgets contain some hazardous chemicals so ideally should not be thrown in the green or black bin with your other types of waste. The same can be said for rechargeable batteries which also contain harmful materials.

WEEE Ireland Battery Box

Why recycle batteries?

Recycling electrical items and batteries helps reduce the number of items entering landfill and ensures any heavy metals and chemicals contained in batteries are managed in an environmentally responsible way.

Do something new!

When buying batteries remember ordinary batteries require a lot of energy to create them so why not save energy and some money by trying rechargeable batteries and/or electricity operated equipment instead of batteries. Rechargeable batteries are a more environmentally friendly option as they can last for several hundred charging cycles resulting in less waste being produced.

Where to recycle?

Thanks to EU Regulations implemented in 2008 it’s very easy to recycle your old batteries! According to the regulations all retail outlets that sell batteries are now obliged to take back old batteries of similar type.

Bring Back to Bosco

Here are some options for recycling end of life batteries.

• Chains of retail stores and shops were batteries are sold – Aldi and LidL Ireland are leading the way!
• Local recycling centres accept old and waste batteries.
• School all over Ireland work in partnership with WEEE Ireland to recycle waste batteries.
• WEEE Ireland waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling days.
• Recycle IT recycle batteries from homes, schools, colleges and charities daily through collection and drop off services.

WEEE Ireland

In Ireland, the WEEE Ireland battery recycling scheme operates on behalf of producers of battery and electrical appliances. It aims to encourage people at home and in work to manage their electrical and battery waste responsibly.  Waste batteries can then be deposited in WEEE Ireland blue boxes at many locations across our country. Please find a list here

Recycle IT

Recycle IT work in partnership with WEEE Ireland to offer collection and drop off recycling services for old electrical, electronic and battery-operated equipment including batteries. The collection service is offered throughout Dublin and the surrounding areas and our teams are delighted to accept waste batteries as part of any recycling collection.

To contact us please call 01 4578321, email us here or visit our website

Recycle IT – Shortlisted for 2017 CSR Award by Chambers Ireland

 

 

Recycle IT – Funding Award 2017

Recycle IT – Secure Funding for Facility Development

On July 26^th, 2017, Marie Duffin, Manager of Oakfield Trust handed over €7768.00 to Recycle IT, a community organisation and social enterprise offering electrical recycling services in Dublin and surrounding areas.

Cheque Presentation –
Recycle IT

This presentation of match funding by Oakfield Trust follows a successful application by Recycle IT for Dormant Accounts Funding through the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The combined funding (details below) will help increase recycling capacity and grow the numbers of people accessing employer based training to build skills for work.

Members of the Recycle IT board and staff team attended on the evening with Chairperson John McMackin expressing delight with the match funding contribution from Oakfield Trust.  John said, “this very generous support makes it possible to execute our plan to deliver community focused electrical recycling services, work experience and employment while also promoting a message of reduce, reuse and recycle.

Marie Duffin said “Oakfield Trust and its board members are pleased to support a fellow social enterprise enhance its operations which in turn supports local communities, employment and environmental goals.

Representatives from Recycle IT and Oakfield Trust.

Recycle IT board members in attendance to accept the cheque included, (left to right) Cecil Johnston, South Dublin County Partnership, John McMackin, DCU School of Business and Dermot Maguire, VHI.  Centrally pictured (left to right) is Marie Duffin, Manager of Oakfield Trust and Una Lavelle, Manager of Recycle IT.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not for profit social enterprise providing collection and drop off services for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).  During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 100,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting thousands of TV’s, cables, monitors, microwaves and washing machines.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland.  Recycle IT are supported by South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

To view the full list of social enterprises funded from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2017 please click here. Clondalkin Community Recycling Initiative T/A Recycle IT.

To learn more about Recycle IT call 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT Logo 

Dublin Recycling Centres

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Recycling in Dublin

There has been approx 75 million waste electrical items collected since 2005, that’s over 70 electrical items per household in Ireland but 1 in 4 Irish people are still hoarding or putting  electrical waste in the trash at home. (Source: WEEE Ireland).  This article is all about encouraging you to recycle electrical items using local services. With that in mind we have complied a list (all on one page) of WEEE recycling centres and services in Dublin.

Recycling Services

Recycle IT support householders, charities, community groups, schools and business with electrical and electronic recycling services in Dublin and the surrounding ares. Services offers are complementary to those offered by the Local Authories across Dublin.

Recycle IT – Electrical Toys and Fridges for Recycling

Services include a free drop off for domestic or dual purpose electrical or electronic equipment with collection services available on request. Collection services are offered free to groups previously listed with a cost-effective solution offered to business recyclers and or those with an immediate need.

Householders in Dublin City and surrounding areas can also bring their unwanted electrical items (WEEE) to a number of recycling centres promoted or operated by their Local Authority. At these centre people can dispose of items such as toasters, cookers, kettles, or lamps, really any domestic appliance.

Alternatively householders can take back WEEE to retailers free of charge. The take back system usually operators on a one-for-one basis, i.e. you can exchange an old toaster for a new one  but it’s usually not possible to return a fridge freezer while purchasing a new hairdryer. A number of large retailers actively promote this scheme so keep an eye out.

Recycle IT – WEEE Collection Service

Recycling Centres in Dublin

There are  recycling centres located across Dublin which will take back household WEEE and lots of other waste items.

Waste by Image

The main centres are listed below:

• Shamrock Terrace Recycling Centre (North Strand) – Tel: 01-836 4716
• Pigeon House Recycling Centre, Ringsend – Tel: 01-614 4750
• Electronic Recycling, Unit 20, Jamestown Business Pk, Finglas – Tel: 01-864 0806 ((waste electrical & electronic equipment only)
• Ballymount Civic Amenity, Ballymount Ave. (Off  the Walkinstown roundabout) – Tel: 01-4621251
• Coolmine Recycling Centre, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15.  (Beside Coolmine Fire Station). Tel: (01) 890 5986
• Estuary Recycling Centre, Swords, (beside Swords Business Park)
  Tel: (01) 890 5985
• Ballyogan Civic Recycling Facility, Ballyogan Road, Dublin 18. Tel: (01) 291 3600
• Recycle IT, 14/2 Crag Terrace, Clondalkin Industrial Estate, Dublin  D22   Tel: (01) 4578321 (waste electrical, electronic equipment & metals only)

Trade waste is usually not accepted at Household Waste Recycling Centres. Recycle IT will support small and medium size businesses to recycle dual purpose electrical and electronic waste.  It’s always a good idea to call the centres in advance of a recycling visit. The call can ensure to don’t make a wasted trip.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 100,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT – Pakman Award Winner 2016

Visit our website for further details.

 

Recycle IT – Commended for CSR in 2017

Chambers Ireland Corporate Social Responsibility Awards 2017

The Chambers Ireland Corporate Social Responsibility Awards were established in 2004 to recognise the work being carried out by Irish and multinational companies to improve the lives of their employees and to enhance the civic environment in which they operate.

Chambers Ireland

This unique competition now in it 14th year offers the business community in Ireland a chance to promote their efforts in CSR and gain recognition for best practice. The awards are presented in a variety of categories covering all areas of CSR.

The shortlist for the awards was announced in July and the overall awards winners were announced at a black tie dinner on September 7th, 2017. Recycle IT were delighted to be shortlisted in Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) category alongside 5 other organisations.

About the Awards

The 2017 Chambers Ireland, Corporate Social Responsibility Awards are partnered by Business in the Community Ireland, run in association with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and sponsored by BAM Ireland.

The awards are judged by two separate panels comprising experts in the field of CSR. The first panel will decide the shortlist while the second panel will decide the category and overall winners. The judging process is completely independent and no representative from Chambers Ireland sits on the judging panel.

On the night Recycle IT were commended for our work in supporting local communities with a range of community electrical recycling initiatives. These initiatives help increases the quantity of electrical, electronic and battery operated equipment recycled each year.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 100,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. To learn more, please call 01 4578321 or visit our website www.recycleit.ie 

WEEE Ireland are Record Breakers

WEEE Ireland

Recycle IT are delight to share some recent news! WEEE Ireland had a great year in 2016 with some 34,482 tonnes of waste electrical equipment recycled. Some of the most interesring facts in the WEEE Ireland’s 2016 Annual Report are revealed below

WEEE Ireland Data

• There has been a increase of 12% in the recycling rates in just one year.
• Irish consumers recycled 34,482 tonnes of waste electrical equipment in 2016 with WEEE Ireland – the equivalent of approximately 15 million household appliances or
• Irish consumers recycled almost 10kg of waste electrical and electrical equipment per person.
• 49% of this waste was large household appliances; 15% fridge / freezers and 12% was television sets.
• 24% was IT equipment, monitors, lamps, luminaries, consumer equipment and electrical tools
• 15 million units of WEEE were diverted from landfill; 11.5 million units of which were mixed small appliances
• 812 tonnes of waste portable batteries were collected by WEEE Ireland for recycling, equaling approximately 32,000,000 waste batteries
• Ireland reached and surpassed its EU battery recycling target of 45% by the end of 2016
• 80% of the raw materials recovered from large household appliances are reused and recycled.

Annual Report

These achievements were outlined by WEEE Ireland, on June 22nd 2017 when the team presented its annual report.  The report shows that WEEE Ireland has gone above and beyond the targets set out by the EU which will soon increase to 65% takeback of all WEEE placed on the market. This new target represents a high priority for WEEE Ireland that must be achieved by 2019 in order to maintain Ireland’s exemplary status in WEEE recycling.

WEEE Ireland Data

The report revealed that Irish people love to work hard and play hard (responsibly) with takeback of both electrical tools and electrical toys growing by 140% and 122% respectively. Refrigeration appliances were another high performing category, with Irish consumers leaving 103,000 fridge freezers in the safe and capable hands of WEEE Ireland. Large household appliances remain a consistently high performing category, representing 49% of all WEEE collected in 2016

These impressive takeback rates mean WEEE Ireland was able to donate €50,000 to their long-standing charity partner, LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice, with whom they recently announced a further 5 year commitment to until 2022. This brings the total amount of charitable donations made to LauraLynn since the beginning of the partnership in 2011 to €285,000.

About WEEE Ireland

WEEE Ireland coordinates collections of electronic waste via three core channels; Retailers, Civic Amenity Sites and Collection Events. 54% of the tonnage of electrical waste collected by WEEE Ireland in 2016 came via its strong network of retailers, 30% from Civic Amenity Sites and 16% of WEEEE collected was from WEEE Ireland collection events. Batteries can be recycled in the familiar Blue Battery boxes, located in many Retailers across Ireland. For a full list of these, visit the WEEEE Ireland website.

WEEE Ireland works on behalf of its member producers to help them meet and comply with the legal obligations imposed by the WEEE Directive 2006/66/EC. Apple Distribution, Dell, Panasonic, Philips, Whirlpool, Glen Dimplex and IBM Ireland are just some of these 912 members who collectively placed 56,000 tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment on the Irish market last year.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 100,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

 

Reusing or Recycling Toys

Toy Recycling 

Toys help create an imaginative world of play, they can help build social skills and ease demands on parents!  Sometimes the most expensive toys are not the best option as kids enjoy playing with items from their home. They can build props like a play house or space rocket out of a reused cardboard boxes and tubes, creating their own special world.

Damaged Electronic Toys – Recycle IT

Most homes with kids have lots of toys. Storage containers are filled to the brim with, dolls, action figures, building blocks, cars, remote-controlled flying machines, games devices,  and many other items. Our questions is, what do parents and children do with the old favorites when the new games arrive?

Involve Children

Kid toys are exactly that, kids toys so its wise to keep children involved in any decisions regarding the future of their toys. Parents can be helpful by reinforcing the fact that their once loved yet unwanted items will be reused by kids with a greater need and the fact that the environment benefits by keeping these items out of landfill or incinerators should be valued.

Electronic Kids Game (Retro)

Toy Reuse 

When your kids have made the most of their old toys, they can always become a new favorite for another child or family. For toys and games that are in good condition, finding the toy a new home is the most eco-friendly thing is do.

Some ideas include

• Arrange a toy swap shop with families in the community.
• Car boot sale with proceeds offered to your local child support group.
• Donate the toy to a charity shop.
• Offer toys to a children’s hospital, children shelter, crèche or montessori.
• Include in your schools shoe box appeal for shipment to other countries across the world.
• Have a swap day with other kids on the road or in school.

Broken Toys and Games

Parent can always try to fixed toys by replacing broken or missing parts. Toy repair maybe possible, with toy makers such as Mattel, Fisher-Price and Lego replacing or selling you replacement pieces. There are also services that can repair broken toys, such as the Doll’s Hospital and Teddy Bear Clinic in Dublin. Some toys, like board games or toys with lots of small parts, might be re-purposed for arts and crafts use. You can also use various bits and bobs from toys to create mosaics, jewellery or pictures and get the kids involved.

Plastic Toys

Plastic toys that are broken or missing parts might be able to be recycled, depending on what type of plastic they’re made from. If the plastic number is not indicated on the toy or the packaging (if you even still have the packaging), you might be able to contact the manufacturer to find out what it’s made from, and then check with your local authority to make sure that your local recycling centre accepts that type of plastic. Alternatively you might consider letting kids build their own creations from disused plastic toys.

Kids Toys – Electronic Toys

Electronic Toys

Toys with computer chips, computer screens, lights, noise, plugs, batteries or other electronic components can and should be recycled. They should not be added to the domestic waste. We know from experience this is not the case as very few electrical toys make their way to us for recycling. Recycle IT offer a collection and drop off services and will accept electrical and electronic toys including games consoles, cameras, tablets, remote control cars or planes, dolls, action figures, watches or replica phones. The list is endless but any toy with a plug or battery is acceptable for recycling.

Finally… 

Recycling and repurposing is environmentally responsible. You should involve your children. You can make sure your children understand the concept of recycling and the value old or broken toys have for others. Reused toys can bring joy to a child or recycling can help create a job!

Kids Electronic Piano

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to 100,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT – Pakman Award Winner 2017

If  you need more information you can call Recycle IT a call on 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie

James Aged 7 – The Waste Triangle

Waste-Waste-Waste

My son is now in first class. He came home from school a few weeks ago and spoke to me about his day.  He had learned about all the waste human’s create and how the waste triangle was going to be topic of the week. He had learned that putting rubbish in the ground is not a good idea or the answer for the waste created in school, at home or in his other favour places.  Since our chat there has been an extra focus on reducing, re-using and recycling as much as we can. Even his 5 year old sister is taking an interest!

The triangle, James aged 7 referred to  is”The Waste Management Hierarchy” You will find it pictured below and we all should take an interest.

The Waste Management Hierarchy

The hierarchy priorities waste management options in terms of environmental impact and is the guiding principle for waste management in Ireland and across the European Union, thus ensuring that preventing, reducing and recycling waste is the priority. This model aims to see as much waste as possible managed at the higher levels of the hierarchy starting with prevent.

Since all waste tends to have some impact on the environment, the only way to avoid the impact is – Don’t produce the waste in the first place. It is really a case of ‘Think before you act!

Waste prevention is at the top of the Waste Management Hierarchy but is the hardest to implement. This really takes time and effort to get up and running but it’s time well spent and really does pay for itself.

Prevention is followed by reduction, re-use and recycling. Composting and generating energy from waste are next in the hierarchy, while disposal to landfill is at the very bottom of the hierarchy. Landfill is an out of sight, out of mind, solution and not the way to solve our waste challenges.

We know lots of good work is ongoing everyday but still millions of tons the waste generated in across Ireland and Europe goes to landfill or for incineration each year. This suggests that current EU legislation and incentives are not moving waste up the hierarchy fast enough and for this reason the waste directives will be revised over the coming period.

 Way to encourage reuse of resources and reduced wasting include:

• Offer incentives to large employers, government departments and big business to implement sustainable purchasing policies that support local social and environmental objectives.
• Ensure incentives are in place for reuse (circular economy) of materials and disincentives in place for wasting materials.
• Create and monitor waste policies, develop proper research funds and drive regulation of customers and the industry.
• Set up systems which encourage local communities and economies to support recovery and reuse e.g. Tidy towns.
• Reuse old materials in make new products e.g. computers

The Proximity Principle demonstrates the need and value of waste disposal and treatment of wastes in reasonable proximity to their point of generation. The principle works to minimise the environmental impact and the cost of waste transport. This is a model Recycle IT embrace.

Reuse is the ideal and suggestion include

• Reuse products over and over.
• Repurpose products for alternative uses.
• Repair to retain value and usefulness.
• Refurbish for reuse.
• Re-manufacture with disassembled parts.
• Dismantle to obtain parts for repairing.
• Support charity shops,
• Encourage or allow licensed recovery of reusable goods from waste disposal sites.

This is one of many article written and published to the web which promotes the waste triangle (as named by James aged 7).

We know it is the right thing to do until we find a better way forward!

The Waste Management Hierarchy can help us all to protect our environment increrase local economic activity (including jobs) and prevent further negative impacts to our surrounding.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 100,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT – Finalist Green Award 2017

To learn more about recycling electrical equipmment please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321 or email us