The Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring, T.D. launched the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 on Thursday 18th July 2019 at 10.30 in the offices of Speedpak Ltd., a social enterprise based at Clonshaugh Business & Technology Park in Coolock, Dublin.
This launch event follows the publication of the draft National Policy on Social Enterprise for public consultation earlier this year. Thisconsultation process sought the views of stakeholders and the public in order to further inform the new policy.
National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022
The policy defines social enterprises as businesses whose core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Social Enterprises frequently work to support disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, travelers, etc., or to address issues such as food poverty, social housing, or environmental matters.
The new National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland is focused on three key objectives:
Building Awareness of Social Enterprise;
Growing and Strengthening Social Enterprise and
Achieving Better Policy Alignment.
The policy document sets out a series of 26 commitments on the part of Government across these objectives for the development of social enterprise over the period 2019-2022. These commitments will be delivered in partnership with social enterprise stakeholders.
Minster Ring addressed those attending the launch event saying “For many years, social enterprises have provided a flexible and effective model which has delivered a positive response to social and societal issues. Social enterprises deliver a range of services across a wide spectrum of activities through their business model. They are innovative and entrepreneurial and frequently find new ways to address social, societal or environmental challenges in areas such as employment activation, affordable childcare, and the green economy. In doing so, social enterprises contribute significantly to the delivery of many Government policy objectives.”
A copy of the National Social Enterprise Policy is available here.
Event speakers and attendees including Minister Michael Ring, T.D
The National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland is part of a suite of policy initiatives from the Department of Rural and Community Development to support those who work with communities and disadvantaged groups. Other initiatives include a new Strategy for the Community and Voluntary Sectors and a new National Volunteering Strategy, both of which will be published in 2019.
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT is anaward-winning social enterprise providing recycling collection and drop off services for all types of waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal items.
During 2018 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to tens of thousands of homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of batteries, computers, cables, monitors, kettles. microwaves and screens.
Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by Department of Rural and Community Development, Dormant Accounts Fund, 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 free and cost-effective services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie
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 Recycling – Supported by Recycle IT
Why recycle batteries?
Recycling electrical items and batteries help’s reduce the number of items entering landfill and ensure’s 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 centers accept old and waste batteries.
School all over Ireland works in partnership with WEEE Ireland to recycle waste batteries.
WEEE Ireland waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling days.
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.
For generations in Ireland and across Europe thriftwas 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.
Recovery for Reuse
Convenience products have helped 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 preferable!
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 summer 2018 which were really popular. We have now updated the list for summer 2019 – Have a read and see what you can do, share with others and do involve any kids in your life.
Eco Tyre Reuse
42 Tips
Create reusable lunch boxes or storage containers from large plastic ice cream tubs.
Use metal knives, forks, and spoons for your next outdoor event
If you have plastic knives, forks, and spoons wash, store and reuse at your next summer event.
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.
Harvest seeds from fruit and vegetables and try to grow them!
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.
Turn toilet rolls or paper towel tubes into playthings for children or nesting materials for your small pets.
Have a go at egg carton crafts – family fun!
Store printed pictures and photos in poly pockets to reduce the aging effects from humidity, damp and light.
Use old wine corks to create a floating key ring; your keys won’t sinking while at the pool, beach or lake.
Use 2-liter plastic bottles to create bird feeders.
Used cold bacon fat in a tuna or cat food can feed your feathered friends, just hang from a tree or fence post in the garden.
Put old newspaper under a tablecloth to offer protection against spills.
Place an open jar or bowl of dried, used coffee grounds in your refrigerator or freezer to neutralize odors.
Keep a jar of dried, used coffee grounds to use with washing up liquid. It acts as a scouring agent for baked on food
Placed used coffee grounds in a ring around garden plants to keep bugs and slugs away.
Refresh your eyes fresh with chilled and dampened tea bags taken from the fridge.
Cut old bike tire tubes tube into strips to make rubber bands in custom sizes.
Cut or shred paper or thin card into eco-friendly packing material for presents or parcels.
As kids outgrow coloring pencils, pens and art supplies try donating them to your local school.
Empty bottles, sweet boxes and biscuit tins can be used as small screw holders, tool boxes, sewing kit or cake holders.
Collect old soap ends into stocking leg and keep by an outdoor tap, ensuring you have hand wash for outside use.
Cut up old t-shirts and use them to clean up messy spills around the house and in the garage.
Used an old adult t-shirt as painting overalls for your kids – saves washing clothes.
Old tights make great rags for cleaning, dusting and shining
Old tights can be reused as sleeves for storing posters, wallpaper rolls, wrapping paper or anything else that needs to stay rolled up.
Cut the legs of old jeans to make super cool shorts for summer.
Use banana peels to shine your shoes. Rub the inside of the peel on shoes, then shine with a soft cloth.
Turn bread heals into breadcrumbs once dried out. Just blitz.
Use the peels of juiced lemons and limes to make zest and twists, which can be dried or frozen for later use.
Use juiced citrus fruit halves sprinkled with salt to clean stainless steel and other metal fixtures.
Add a piece of orange peel to brown sugar to ensure it stays soft.
Don’t throw away half used copy books, up-cycle into kid’s drawing books.
Unravel woolen jumpers and knit something new for you!
Reused material from 3 or 4 broken umbrellas to assemble a retro style rain poncho.
Jars can be cleaned and used to store homemade jams, preserves or even as a desk organizer for pens, paper clips or pencils.
Save old toothbrushes to scrub hard to reach places, like grout, sinks or behind water taps.
Collect broken china to re-tile outdoor tables, flower pots or paths.
Hang old clothes drawers or washing machine drums on the wall to create shelves or used them as storage boxes.
Reuse water from washing and/or cooking vegetables to water plants internally and externally
Reuse a spray bottle to mix 50% distilled vinegar (white) and 50% tap water for a simple window cleaner. (For very grimy glass, prewash with soapy water)
Clean your window with the old Sundays newspapers (instead of paper towel)
Waste is Treasure!
We all know one person’s waste is another person’s treasure. Instead of discarding unwanted tools, clothes, furniture or electrical appliances, try reuse with friends or donating them can reduce waste and help others save money.
Innovative Chair Reuse
Local community groups, charity shops, schools, and nonprofit organizations may accept a variety of donated items, including used books, paint, working toys, and unneeded furniture. Please click here to learn more
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT, are an award-winning Dublin based social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, the Dormant Accounts Fund, 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 free and cost-effective services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie
Your County Council recently adopted waste Segregation, Storage and Presentation of Household and Commercial Waste Bye-Laws which will ensure a consistent approach to managing waste across Ireland.
Did you know failure to comply with any of the requirements of the waste bye-laws may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (Maximum €75) being issued by a member of your local County or City Council or by a member of An Garda Siochana and may result in a fine of up to €2,500 on conviction?
Waste Bye-Laws
These bye-laws apply to all households, apartments and commercial premises and aim to aid the prevention and control of environmental pollution.
What this really means
Now the onus is on every household, apartments and commercial premises to provide proof that they have a contract in place with an authorized waste collector or that they regularly use a recycling center or civic amenity site. (a docket or receipt is can be provided on request at recycling centers).
By correctly managing your waste you will:
Help address challenges with climate
Improve the quantity and quality of recyclables collected
Reduce waste going to landfill and incineration
Conserve our planets limited resources
You can start to reduce waste by simply:
Saying no to single-use disposable items like razors, batteries, wipes, coffee cups
Make a weekly shopping list for your groceries, and follow it
Stop or reduce packaging by buying loose produce and buying in bulk
Switch to rechargeable batteries
Place a no junk mail sticker on your letterbox
Some using plastic and especially single-use plastics
My Waste Ireland – Logo
Small Quantity – share a bin!
The best and probably most affordable option in this instance is bin sharing with a family member or friend living in close proximity and maybe a less frequent collection. A letter from the bin account holder will be sufficient evidence, this account holder will then be obliged to provide evidence of contact with a permitted waste collection company.
Segregate recyclable
It’s important that you segregate recyclable waste from your residual waste and present these separately. Please note: If you are living in an urban area, small town or village with a population of over 500 you are required to segregate food waste* Please don’t include metal, electronic or electrical waste with your recyclable or general waste. You can drop it to a recycling center such as Recycle IT or have it collected by Recycle IT.
Benefits of Bye-Laws
In our view, the waste bye-laws can encourage and increase formal recycling through drop off or collection for reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery. They will also encourage people to reduce their waste, separate their waste which leads to an increase in the quality of waste for collection.
Labeling
Recently Minister Bruton launched three new voluntary labels for use by producers, manufacturers, and retailers in order to avoid confusion or ambiguity when recycling.
Minister Bruton – New Labelling to Make Recycling Easier
The labels clearly identify whether an item is widely recycled, whether it is not recyclable, and whether more information should be sought before deciding how to dispose of.
The most important message is “the proper segregation of waste is crucial”. It minimizes the amount of waste ending up in landfill and helps us use our resources more effectively.
Learn more
Please click here to learn more or download information in Irish, Chinese, Polish or Russian on the waste bye-laws. You can read more about the new waste labeling system here
Guides to Waste Bye-Laws – Irish, Chinese, Polish or Russian
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT, are an award-winning Dublin based social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, the Dormant Accounts Fund, 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 free and cost-effective services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie
The Community Engagement Programme, Students Learning with Communities has worked with over 100 community organizations as partners on real-life projects that benefit the lives of many individuals while also enhancing student learning.
TU Dublin, Grangegorman Campus
Since 2008, over 10,000 students and 170 staff at DIT now Technological University (TU) Dublin have collaborated on over 500 projects in Ireland and internationally. The Community Engagement Programme is managed by the Access and Civic Engagement Office at TU Dublin.
Learning
Learning with Communities allows students to improve their knowledge on a range of subjects in collaboration with community organisations. Student groups engage in a specific project or tasks with a chosen community organization. The programme is mutually beneficial as it;
Progresses the community organization’s aims and objectives.
Enables community partner to become part of the education process contributing to the academic and professional development of the student.
Award Winning TU Business Analytics Students
Many undergraduate programmes at TU Dublin offer students the opportunity to become involved in collaborative projects in the community. Students gain an understanding of the efforts required to generate real and sustaining value and their insight can enable organisations to think about doing things differently.
Benefits
Recycle IT have engaged over a number of years and find the TU Dublin Community Engagement Programme very helpful and worthwhile. During 2018/ 2019 students learned how Recycle IT, operates as a social enterprise to achieve its social, economic and environmental goals. The student groups learn about the limitations and constraints faced and got an overview of the services provided which benefit communities, charities, business, and employment.
Recycle IT try to encourage students to become advocates for social enterprise by sharing news on their outputs with other students and academic staff during college and with colleagues when employed.
Overall the engagement with TU students in 2019 helped generate new ideas and has identified some advances which once implemented will enhance recycling capabilities, data entry, and reporting.
As a result of our engagement Recycle IT was invited to attend the annual TU Dublin City Campus, Students Learning With Communities Awards. The award event happened in St. Laurence’s Church, TU Grangegorman in Dublin 7 on May 7th, 2019 with student and community partner certificates presented by Prof Brian Norton, TU Dublin President.
Recycle IT – TU Dublin Community Partner
Recycle IT were delighted to be presented with a Learning With Communities Awardfollowing our engagement with a group of students from TU Dublin, City Campus, Aungier Street. The students studied Business Analytics and through the engagement, shared their knowledge and learning with Recycle IT.
Based on our attendance and experience the awards really do celebrate the great work and joint effort of students, academic staff and community partners.
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT, are an award-winning Dublin based social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, the Dormant Accounts Fund, 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 free and cost-effective services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie
By April 2016, 56,837 people cycled to work, an increase of 43% since 2011. Three-quarters of these were males. Two-thirds of all cyclists were in Dublin city and suburbs, with 38,870 persons cycling to work. (Source: CSO)
A 2018 traffic survey carried out by the Dublin Cycling Campaign has revealed how popular cycling has become for people commuting into the city centre. The results show that bicycles account for almost half of all vehicles traveling along Ormond Quay during rush hour, with 1,126 bikes recorded out of a total vehicle count of 2,314. This gives bicycles a 49% share of all vehicles.
Cycling in Dublin
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 dedicate the 3rd of June as World Bicycle Day – Add this to World Environment Day on June 5th and we are 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 also 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 sustainable and environmentally friendly 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 organized by Irish local authorities, community groups and cycling groups throughout Ireland You can learn more about and maybe take part between June 22nd and June 30th, 2019 by visiting bikeweek.ie
Here are 8 reasons to celebrate the bike (some encouragement)
The bicycle is a simple, affordable, reliable and clean way to get about.
The bike is environmentally friendly and is a sustainable means of transportation;
The bicycle can serve as a tool for social, community and economic development
Cycling can help people access education, health care, and sporting activities.
The union between the bicycle and the user creates an immediate awareness of the local environment you are cycling through.
Using a bike saves time, reduces traffic and helps you arrive on time.
The bike has a positive impact on climate with fewer carbon emissions.
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 summer weeks and months take the bike out and bring friends and family along to discover your 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, these bikes will enable easy, affordable and environmentally friendly travel into work. Recycle IT also plan to work with a preloved bike seller 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, the Dormant Accounts Fund, 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
At Recycle IT you will find a team which is dedicated, socially driven and environmentally sensible. Our social enterprise specializes in compliant and permitted WEEE recycling and IT disposal, we can be seen daily collecting electronic, electrical and pure metal waste from a range of organisations and properties across Dublin. Through this work, we create training and employment opportunities.
Recycle IT – Team at Work
The removal of electronic waste comes with many stipulations and guidelines, with which we fully comply. For further details click here
Collections
At short notice and within days our vehicles equipped with a friendly and reactive team, are available to carry out the collection and recycling of a variety of electronic equipment in our specialist WEEE recycling facility. All your old equipment will be safely disposed of. If you have a particular requirement just let us know in advance.
WEEE for Recycling
Waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling includes:
Computer recycling including safe breakdown & disposal.
Server & Network equipment recycling.
TV/Monitor recycling & disposal.
Physical destruction of Hard Drives or sensitive equipment.
Laptop and printer recycling & disposal.
White goods recycling.
Audio goods recycling.
Testing and monitoring equipment.
Games consoles and electronic toys.
Businesses large and small can save time and hassle by engaging a professional cost effective reliable recycling service to collect you waste items for safe recycling.
Compliant with the Legislation
All of our recycling is carried out in accordance to the legislation put in place and managed by the Irish Environment Agency and all WEEE recycling is carried out in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. Recycle IT as a not for profit social enterprise are fully compliant and partner with WEEE Ireland to support collections and recycling.
WEEE Recycling
On removal of WEEE from your organisation, Recycle IT will provide you with documentation include a receipt acknowledging the collection. Once the equipment leaves your premises you can be sure it will be dealt with responsibly. If your business needs additional documents for audit or environmental reporting please let us know and we will endeavor to help.
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 offer drop off and collection services to homes, schools, charities, and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TVs.
Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, Dorment Account Fund, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.
As you know lots of electrical, electronic and metal items are packed in plastic and have a plastic cover or coating. When these items are recycled the plastic is removed and mainly reused in new products but what can be done about everyday plastic’s?
In July 2019 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!
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 of. 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 a 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.
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.
Plastic Microbeads
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 vegetable 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.
Plastic Bottle – Water Filling
SOURCE A SODA MAKER: This helps reduce the amount of plastic soft drinks bottles purchased, used and disposed of in your home and office weekly.
SHOP WISE: Ask your local shop and supermarket to make the change away from plastic or vote with your feet until they do. It will happen and think about all the waste which won’t enter your waste and the related time saved.
Plastic Free July 2019
Plastic Free July 2019 – what to do!
Just join the challenge and ‘Choose To Refuse’ single-use plastic during July. You can assist in achieving 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
Did You Know?
If you purchase drinks in Scotland will have to pay a 20p deposit on every bottle or drinks can purchase. This ambitious new scheme unveiled by the Scottish government aims to help reduce and recover items for reuse and safe recycling.
The deposit return scheme, the first national scheme in the UK, will cover glass and plastic bottles, as well as aluminum and steel drinks cans, sold in Scotland.
The consumer will get their deposit back when they return the empty bottle or can to the retailer. The scheme will operate throughout Scotland, including rural areas. All types of drinks and all containers above 50ml and up to three liters in size are included. What do you think about this initiative? Would Ireland benefit from similar?
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 to drop off and collection services to 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.
Public Consultation on Draft National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland
Minister Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development has published a draft National Policy on Social Enterprise for public consultation and is seeking the views of stakeholders and the public to inform the policy.
Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development
The key objective of the Department is to offer a policy framework for the development of the not-for-profit sector and to provide a full range of appropriate supports to organisations in that sector to improve their capability to deliver services to individuals and communities, tackle social issues, and contribute to a fairer and more inclusive society.
In July 2017, policy responsibility for social enterprise was assigned to the Department of Rural and Community Development. The department has taken the lead on the government commitment in the Action Plan for Rural Development to develop and publish a National Policy on Social Enterprise which will encompass the full range of activity in this sector. We are now are draft policy stage with public consultation an import element of moving the strategy forward.
Social Enterprise in Ireland
The draft policy states that “Social enterprises are part of the wider social economy and make a valuable contribution to the social and economic progress of Ireland through the creation of jobs and through the delivery of a broad range of services in areas such as homecare, child care, employment activation, retail, hospitality and catering environmental services, and social housing. They are innovative, entrepreneurial and are increasingly utilising new technologies and creative approaches to address social, socio-economic and environmental challenges”
The Minister is inviting the views of stakeholders on the draft policy. These views will contribute to the finalisation of an ambitious, achievable and fit-for-purpose National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland.The closing date for submissions is Tuesday 14th May 2019. You can send your submission by email to: SEConsultation@drcd.gov.ie.
Alternatively, responses can be posted to: Social Enterprise Policy, Rural Strategy and Social Enterprise, Trinity Point, Leinster Street South, Ireland, D02 EF85
Phone number: 076 106 4900
Shared by Reycle IT
Recycle IT, is an award-winning social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling services through drop off and collection. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland and South Dublin County Council. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.
Scientific evidence points to the fact that Climate change is happening. Climate change is in the main is caused by human activity on the earth and has greatly increased over the last 200 years. This change can have serious and damaging effects on our lives and on the natural environment in the decades ahead.
Heating of the oceans and its effects
Greenhouse gas emissions from cars, trucks, trains, power facilities, factories, and other man-made creations — rather than natural variations in climate — are the primary cause of Climate change.
Over time gases have reached a concentration level in our atmosphere. These greenhouse gases act like a blanket, trapping the sun’s warmth near the earth’s surface, and affecting the planet’s climate system.
Greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for a long time. Although plants and the ocean absorb carbon dioxide, they can’t keep up with all the extra carbon dioxide that people have been releasing.
Wind Energy
The Conference
We all need to do more and increasing knowledge and awareness of what we can do is a valuable first step. The EPA National Climate Conference, in collaboration with the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment will take place on 15th May 2019 at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. This could be your first step and an opportunity to learn more; to do more!
Speaker will include: Charles Sabel (Columbia Law School), Maria Vassilakou (Mayor of Vienna), Marie Donnelly (Former Director Renewables, Research & Innovation and Energy Efficiency at DG Energy, EC) and Margaret Desmond (Head of Climate Services Section, EPA)
Panel sessions and discussions will focus on Agriculture, Transport, Energy and Engagement.
You can book free here. For the conference agenda, click here
The EPA National Climate Conference is convened by the EPA as part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action. It is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment. For more details please visit the Irish EPA website.
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT, is an award-winning social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling services through drop off and collection. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland and South Dublin County Council. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.
Recycle IT, a community electrical recycling organisation based in Dublin was allocated approximately €40,000 to help fund a new electrical recycling collection vehicle. This funding was allocated through the Dormant Accounts Fund managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administrated by Pobal.
Dormant Accounts Fund Logo
As a social enterprise, part funded through the Community Services Programme (CSP) Recycle IT supports the delivery of environmental services in areas of disadvantage. Recycle IT engage with many communities including communities lacking services due to economic, geographical or social challenges or where demand for services is not being addressed easily by existing services.
Una Lavelle General Manager of Recycle IT has welcomed the news calling it ‘a testament to the work of Recycle IT over the last number of years. Una has singled out Pobal and the Dormant Account Fund for their support since inception of electrical recycling services in 2002.
Pobal Logo
John McEntee Development Manager at Recycle IT is delighted that this funding has been allocated to ensure electrical and electronic recycling collections continue in Dublin and surrounding areas while also reinforcing our ability to deliver training and employment opportunities.
Over the last two year Recycle IT have safely recycled over 900 tonnes of electrical items from homes and over 235 tonnes from school, charities and community organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas. The Dormant Account Fund allows Recycle IT continue to offer an accessible and eco-friendly recycling service for old and once loved electrical and electronic items. Residents groups, charities, school and college will have ongoing access to a free, safe and prescheduled collection service using a new vehicle which will delivers greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions for the benefit of society and the organisation.
Recycle IT
This Dormant Accounts funding supports the vision of its voluntary board of directors and staff team to continue delivery of our recycling service, widen the area of coverage and deliver on our mission to provide a professional community based electronic waste management service while creating sustainable employment opportunities based at our recycling facility in Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT, is a social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling services through drop off and collection. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland and South Dublin County Council. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.
National Spring Clean is Ireland’s most popular, well-recognized and successful anti-litter and waste initiative. It takes place during April each year. The campaign encourages all sector of society to actively participate and take responsibility for litter and waste.National Spring Clean has been operated by An Taisce since 1999 in partnership with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
The size and scale of National Spring Clean has grown steadily and significantly over the years and has many benefits for people taking part. With the participation in 2018 of over 500,000 volunteers and 2,600 tonnes of litter collected, of which 35% was recycled, the National Spring Clean 2019 aims to build on the progress and momentum from prior years to make 2019 the most successful anti–litter campaign yet.
Spring Clean – Take Part
Local area cleanups are usually organised by resident associations and tidy town groups and can also involved others some of which include:
With April 2019 upon us Recycle IT have assembled some tips for organising a successful National Spring Clean event in your area!
Time
You will need time to organise your event. Start planning at least a few weeks in advance. Spring is the best time to do a cleanup – before grass and weeds have a chance to hide rubbish and litter and make retrieval more difficult.
When you select a day or weekend for the cleanup, check with local community organisations and the local authority in your area to avoid any event conflicts.
Arrange for collection and disposal of the waste collected.
Litter Bin
Planning
A good plan will help your group set a direction and document the steps you need to take to organise the spring cleanup. Using an existing neighborhood cleanup committee or forming a new group is a great way to get things done efficiently and build ownership at the same time.
Use a Clean Up notebook to record names, numbers emails, dates and other important information. It’s good to document everything and maintain a cleanup file including photos. This can be used for grant applications and PR.
Determine your “cleanup area” to get an idea of the support you will need. Use a map to coordinate teams and pickup routes. Records litter black spots and any situations needing special tools or equipment to get the job done.
Estimate of the number of volunteers, assign tasks and a develop a schedule.
Team Building
Remember letters work well, but personal contact is the best way to build your team and secure the needed resources for the job. If you do not know your neighbors, now is a good time to meet them. Introduce yourself and tell them what you would like to do. Do not ask for a commitment — that will come later — just get a feel for the support you have.
There may be groups within your community that regularly organize community projects. Consider partnering with these or other groups, even if they are not in your area.
Businesses, and you local authority take pride in their communities. Ask them to help with this community effort by donating items or funding to support the event.
Have a few event photographer so you have photos for newsletter articles, annual reports, Web page projects, promotional flyers, etc.
Clean Up & Recycle IT
Promotion
Consider creating a promotional flyer to distribute at local business and organisations.
Specify what will be or will not be accepted; provide options for those items.
Inform residents about the pickup times. Specify the cleanup will occur regardless of the weather.
Include your event parish local authority and community newsletters, on websites, local community radio and newspapers. Invite the media to do a story on your cleanup — this is recognition of volunteers, donors or sponsors.
Implementation
Before you start, gather everyone together to review the event and answer questions. Have a cleanup plan with a start and finish point in an estate or street with groups starting at both ends and working towards the middle. Spread volunteers out so they have plenty to do while having fun.
Coordinator duties
Register interested parties.
Ensure everyone is aware of safety requirements and areas to avoid.
Make sure children are safe and supervised by adults.
Answer questions on collection and removal.
Have brochures and coupons available on how to dispose of items you cannot accept (WEEE, batteries, hazardous waste, tires, oil, etc.).
Make sure plenty of water, mobile phones and a first aid kit on-site.
Keep details for emergency service at hand.
Keep a positive attitude. don’t get overwhelmed and avoid overwork – you can do more another day!
Some of the typical cleanup needs include:
Volunteers
Bin bags
Safety signs and general safety
Gloves/heavy-duty
Buckets for sharp objects
Tools (ropes, rakes, shovels, etc.)
Trees/wildflower/grass seeds
Hi-Vis Safety Vests
First Aid Kit
List of mobile phone numbers
After clean up event e.g. BBQ or picnic
WEEE To Work – Recycle IT
Say Thanks
Take every opportunity to mention the support of your volunteers, especially when talking to the media. You should write thank you letters to key community groups and local businesses/donors. Provide copies of photos for their archives.
Finally…
Record what worked well and what didn’t. This means you do not have to reinvent the wheel this time next year! This information will be important for new and future members of the cleanup group.
If you would like to include a residents association door 2 door recycling collection for electrical, electronic and pure metal items as part of your local spring clean please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321 or email info@recylceit.ie.
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT, is an award winning social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling services through drop off and collection. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland and South Dublin County Council.
Recycle IT are supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.
South Dublin County Council’s 15th annual Eco Week promotes awareness of the environment and is a fantastic opportunity for schools, colleges, communities groups, businesses and people living and working in South Dublin to educate, learn and become a part of improving our environment.
Eco Week 2019 really has something for everyone covers a variety of topics. All events are FREE to access but please book early. Remember when considering events, share details with others, travel together by offering lifts, or use public transport to reduce carbon miles.
Events
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.
Eco Week 2019
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!
Leave the grass uncut for April.
Compost the grass cuttings during spring and summer.
Bring you family on woodland adventure walk.
Used your skills to get out community gardening.
Arrange an eco-cleanup of your local area.
Book a resident association electrical recycling collection day for your estate.
Clear out your home and garden shed, donate the items to charity or recycle safely.
Involve the kids in planting a tree or two.
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 meat or fish free for a day.
Get together with friends for a “Green Party” with organic food and drinks.
Visit the Recycle IT electrical recycling display at South Dublin County Council office in Tallaght.
Recycle IT for Eco Week
Starting April 1st 2019 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 2019 and afterwards!
Recycle IT
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 for drop off from 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 3pm on Friday.
WEEE to work
Recycle IT in association with South Dublin County Council will operate a WEEE to WorkCollection 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. 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 – Collection Service
Display
As part of our electrical recycling display, drop off points will be avaialalbe in the lobby of the South Dublin County Council offices in Tallaght to recycle small electircal items so bring them from home and drop in when passing!
Information
If you have questions or would like to arrange a WEEE to Work collection from your office, please call us on 01 4578321 or email:info@recycleit.ie. You can also visit the websitewww.recycleit.ieto learn more about electrical recycling.
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.
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.
Eco Week 2019 – 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 during Eco Week which runs from April 1st to 5th 2019. All you need to do is contact John in our office 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 all supported by Recycle IT. Please find afull PDF lists here of the type of items recycled.
WEEE To Work with Recycle IT in 2019
Business can offer staff the opportunity to bring any old electircal, electornic or pure metal items (including batteries and cables) to work for easy recylcing. Recycle IT will provide a collection team and transport to collect items from a central location on a pre-arrange day, usually in the morning after 9am and before 1pm.
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 by placing a reusalbe receptacle e.g. a large box or bin in your buildng for the collection of old electircal items.
Please note, Recycle IT are not in a position to provide receptacles as it not environmetally, time or cost friendly.
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.
Members of the public may dispose of all their household WEEE appliances free of charge at Recycle IT in Clondalkin, Co Dublin.
WEEE Ireland support Recycle IT in the collection and recycling old and waste electrical items. This service is part financed by the payment of tariffs from the producers who originally put the WEEE into the market place. Recycling opportunities are available free to residents groups through a door to door collection services . Up to 400 homes per day are offered an electrical recycling collection with help provided with lifting and moving items. The service is age friendly and our teams are helpful so don’t be shy!
What does Electrical / WEEE Recycling Mean?
The WEEE Regulations were introduced to promote the environmentally responsible disposal, recovery and recycling of consumer electrical goods and appliances in Ireland. The Regulations apply to all kinds of Electrical & Electronic Equipment, but contain limited exemptions for certain types of devices, such as some medical or military items.
These regulations require the Producers (manufacturers and importers) and Retailers of Electrical & Electronic Equipment to ensure systems are in place to fund and encourage the return, collection, and recycling of WEEE items from the general public. Recycle IT supports this recycling activity and is licensed to do so.
Retailer / Consumers Recycling
Retailers of Electrical & Electronic Equipment, including internet sellers, are now required by law to provide for take-back of WEEE articles from customers free of charge, subject to the conditions below:
Free retailer take-back only applies when a new item has been purchased and on a one-for-one basis.
Any item for return must be of a similar type as the new item being bought; e.g. a retailer is not obliged to accept a television if a customer has only bought a toaster.
With any household items that require delivery, retailers must collect the old appliance free of charge, and give at least 24 hours notice of delivery. Items such as fridges must be properly de-frosted and disconnected by the customer before collection. Depending on retailer there maybe a delivery charge.
Delivery / Collection
All retailers selling Electrical & Electronic Equipment to the general public are legally obliged to comply with various other requirements under the WEEE Regulations, including measures relating to the:
Display of statutory WEEE signage in store, that must be displayed at each point of sale;
Provision of information explaining WEEE take-back procedures and deadlines to the public;
Provision of a suitable storage area for any returned WEEE items.
Further information on the WEEE Regulations is also available at the EPA website.
Civic Amenity Recycling
In Dublin and surrounding areas all old, damaged and unwanted household electrical items, batteries and energy-saving light bulbs can be brought to your nearest civic amenity site for free recycling. A list of these locations in Dublin is available here
Recycle IT Recycling
Electrical and electronic recycling service has been operated by Recycle IT since 2002. Our teams work with householders, charities, schools, colleges, business, government, non-government and community based organisations in Dublin and the surrounding counties of Kildare and Wicklow.
Recycle IT / Recycle TV’s
Recycle IT offer kerbside, door to door and organisational recycling collections. Services are offered to about 90,000 homes and organisations each year which helps ensure electronic, electrical and metal equipment is safely recycled. Equipment collected flows through an authorized and approved recycling supply chain which feeds the circular economy and ultimately reuse.
As a not for profit social enterprise, Recycle IT has benefited the WEEE sector since 2007 by collecting waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from householders and community organisations who can find it costly and therefore hard to recycle.
Recycle IT Community Residents Collection
Examples of items that can be recycled for free include:
All types of batteries including farm fencing and automotive batteries
Torches, Power tools and other Small Electrical Devices
Fridges, Freezers, Washing Machines and Electric Ovens
PCs, Networking, TVs, Monitors, Cables, Chargers
Energy Saving Lamps and other Lighting Equipment
Along with any other household WEEE you may have.
These type of items are accept free from (homes and organisations) by Recycle IT.
For full/downloadable lists of all items recycled please click here
If you miss your Recycle IT collection day remember that you can recycle your household electrical waste and waste batteries at our recycling centre free of charge. Click here for our location and directions. You can also arrange a cost-effective personal collection with Recycle IT. Just 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.
Battery, Electrical and Electronic Recycling for Schools, Colleges…
As the days get longer and blue skies appear Dublin schools, colleges and training organisations have the opportunity to recycle old and once valued electrical, electronic and pure metal equipment. 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 – Old School Computers
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 safely 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
Recycle IT – Electrical Recycling on Arrival
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.
At different times in the year, you may receive a flyer promoting free recycling days for old, damaged or unused items. These collections can be for household or office equipment including clothes, metal, electrical or garden tools.
What a great idea! I can reduce, recycle and de-clutter my home or office, but do you dare to think these collectors might unregulated or illegal?
COUNTY COUNCILS across Dublin at different times have warned residents to ignore these type of collections promoted by paper recycling flyers that have been put through letterboxes. They generally have no waste permit or collection permit numbers noted.
This flyer advertises a ‘Free Recycling Day’ with the opportunity to dispose of 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 and penalties if the material is identified as belonging to you!
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 parts out and leaves the remainder on an Irish county road in the dark of night.
Is handing these items over to a no named collector in a non-authorized or unlicensed waste collection van the right choice?
Waste Items – Metal and Electrical
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 the 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 toxic 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 hedgerows 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 to know more about a bogus collection, we have compiled the list below.
14 tips on spotting a Bogus Recycling Collection?
The leaflet presenting the collections service are of low quality.
The collector does not provide a waste facility address on leaflets
The waste facility license number is not visible on the leaflet.
There is no landline telephone listed on printed materials.
The phone is never answered when called.
An email address is omitted from the flyer or poster.
The collector has no website or social media presence.
Collection vehicles don’t have a waste collection permit number on display. (required by law)
Collections are made outside of traditional business hours.
Collection representatives don’t have any formal identification.
Only certain waste items are collected i.e. the most valuable.
A bogus charity maybe named on the collection flyers or posters.
No help or support is offered to move or lift heavy electrical items from homes or businesses.
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 equipment.
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
Visit our website for further details or call 01 4578321.
Recycle IT Safely – Computers, Phone, Tablet & Hard Disks!
According to industry research shipments of PCs are definitely growing, for the first time in six years. Market research firms Gartner and IDC both agree that the PC market grew worldwide in the second quarter of 2018, with IDC claiming an increase of 2.7% and Gartner recording a 1.4 % growth.
Windows 10 business PCs seem to be driving some of the growth and PC shipments in the second quarter of 2018 was driven by demand in the business market. People are also buying the latest high-end PCs for gaming at home.
Even with this growth, the consumer PC’s market has changed and this change continues to impact on personal PC sales to homes and business. Consumers are using their smartphones for even more daily tasks, such as checking social media, calendaring, banking and shopping, which is reducing the need for a consumer PC at home.
Personal Computer (PC) keyboard
Data and Information
As PC sales ebb and flow individuals and organisations are becoming larger consumers of information every day. We are buying storage devices such as hard disk drives (HDD) to store business and personal customer information including photos of everything from our kids to bank statements, bank cards and password data. Everything can be stored electronically!
Higher resolution video, more cameras, growth in the “internet of things” (IoT) i.e. devices such as smart TVs, smart speakers, smart toys, wearable, drones, smart appliances and applications are driving demand for electronic storage.
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 information devices 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.
Tablet PC
You might be thinking, what will I do with all that information on the HDD before recycling a PC? If so, please don’t try to burn or use industrial-strength 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, laptop or tablet 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.
In the interest of time and money you don’t need to destroy the full PC or laptop just the hard drive which is a small box inside of computer itself and usually contains sensitive information including credit card information, photos or 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 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 small office hard drives.
Hard Disk Drive – Part for Destruction
Safety in Destruction
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. Once complete Recycle IT can 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.
You will find the most recently published and nationally agreed household recycling Waste List in picture format below as well as a downloadable booklet on Waste Prevention and Recycling Trick and Tips.
Remember if it’s not on the waste list it doesn’t belong in the bin. Please make sure that all items are clean, dry and placed loosely in the bin.
Waste Prevention Tips
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 are 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 are 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.
Waste List – Clean, Empty, Loose.
Waste list – why?
As you may be aware, China has 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 has been hard to find new outlets/countries to dispose of this waste. (you have to ask why should others accept our waste). This has resulted in prices increases with fees now introduced for green bin collections.
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
To download the most recent Waste Prevention and Recycling Tricks and Tips booklet click the link
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 offer drop-off and collection service to 140,000 homes and organizations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, screens, and metal items.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) – Recycle IT
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.
As you know Recycle IT help households and organizations across many sectors recycle electrical, electronic and pure metal equipment. This doesn’t mean we are free from the single-use plastics. Plastics arrive as part of collection sometimes hidden away in the bottom of bags and boxes.
As part of our daily recycling activities, we ask recyclers to leave items of recycling uncovered and our team generally don’t accept items in bags (we don’t know the contains) but we still get lots of single-use black plastic from both homes and organizations which must be disposed of safely at a cost.
We also generate our own single-use plastic through items such as office, warehouse and canteen supplies, staff lunches and product wrapping, equipment packaging, etc. We are doing our best to limited usage, find alternatives and recycle in the proper manner but it’s hard.
The amount of plastic waste in general from the business sector has doubled over the last 10 year, with single-use coffee cups a growing concern according to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report released in late 2018.
Repak through a recent audit estimates that 550,000 cups per day are placed on the Irish market with this number expected to grow. Most of these drinks cups are lined with a plastic film (polyethylene – PE) making them harder to recycle.
What is in a Commercial Bin? EPA
Note: As you will also see above metal and hazardous waste (which includes electrical items and batteries) are included in both the black and green bins. These items can be recycled and should not be placed in the bin.
Recycle IT have assembled a range of tipsto help reduce or help eliminate single-use plastic in organizations. We hope these tips help reduce the quantities of single-use plastic accumulated in organizations in which we work, volunteer or support. These tips can over time lead to reduced demand for disposable, single-use plastic.
Measure your plastic.
As with energy, water, and general waste you can measure single-use plastic in your organization. If you can measure usage, you can manage usage. Start by auditing plastic usage within the organization to see what changes can be made. List the usage simple to complex.
Define what ‘single-use’ means in your organization
Start by determining which kinds of plastics your organization class as “single-use and maybe produce a plastics policy, to understand the scope of work, how much plastic is used and where they are sourced.
Plan to succeed
Take time to consider/research the consequences of change and determine the costs, benefits, and risks plastic-free alternatives could bring to your organization. There is little point in reducing plastics but creating other forms of waste as a result.
EU Plastic Waste Stats 2015
Speak to your supplier
Co-operate with all your supplier and stakeholders involved with your organization. Include front-of-house and consumer product suppliers. E.g. office supplies catering, warehouse supplier, cleaning companies, etc.
Win easy
Take simple actions in consultation with your colleagues which can immediately reduce your organization’s plastic output Example include removal of plastic water cups, plastic water bottles, disposable plastic cutely, plates and coffee cups, plastic milk cartons, food wrapping, etc. Accessible alternatives are easily available.
Get your team engaged
While many organization will have experienced a demand for plastic-free products or packaging from customers, employees also have an interest in reducing plastic waste. It can be a good idea to have colleagues as plastic waste champions; they can lead and engage colleagues in the challenge of reducing single-use plastics.
Reducing Plastic in the Workplace
Canteen plastics
Ask staff to research alternatives to plastic packaging – particularly for products which have traditionally been packaged in plastic. Look for products like meat, fruit, vegetables, and cheese sold without plastic packaging which can be used for work lunches. Ask staff to stop using disposable coffee cups, plastic water bottles and cups, cling film and plastic sandwich bags/wrappers in the office.
Set targets and rewards.
It’s important to set targets which remove single-use plastic over the long-term Using plastic reduction targets, to drive action ensures positive progress. E.g. pledged to become single-use plastic-free (department by department) by 2022 and list how this will be achieved. Assign a budget and reward those who help with ideas and actions. With positive leadership and a good culture, organizations can really change!
Use local and social media
Communicate your efforts through media in order to share your changes and hopefully, you can reap the rewards as an organization. Today media is invested in the plastic challenge in a way that has never happened with any other environmental concerns. The plastic waste challenge is featured on TV, social media, radio and in newspapers regularly so you and your organization can take advantage of this!
Singe Use Plastic – starting motto for organizations
At home
Share the learning from work at home with family members including kids. Kids they are eager to learn, and you are positively reinforcing a single-use plastics message learned and practiced in schools. Make changes at home, reduce packaged product purchases, separate plastic waste, reuse and recycle.
Finally
Remember you must act responsibly with all sources of waste. Eliminating plastic purely for aesthetic purposes is not the right message. Take time, choose wisely and go with alternatives where they make sense for your organization.
Organizations who have made commitments to stop using coffee cups, plastic straws or cling wrapping are taking the first step only. We all need to take an integrated approached and stop using all single-use plastic. It’s a long road but it’s one worth traveling.
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 2018 Recycle IT offered a drop-off and collection service to thousands of homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, cookers, dryers, screens and much more.
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.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Recycling in Dublin
In Dublin, you will find a range of recycling services and facilities which will accept old electrical items used at home. As well as reducing the volume of waste going to landfill, these centres help to recycle and compost domestic waste and can 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.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) – Recycle IT
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 compiled a list (all on one page) of waste electrical recycling centres and services in Dublin. These are drop off centre for household items. If you need a collection Recycle IT can help. (Home or Business customers)
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.
Trade and business 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 areas. Services offers are complementary to those offered by the Local Authorities 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 collection service is 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 centres, 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.
Recycling Collection Service – 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 and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2018 Recycle IT offer to drop off and collection services to 90,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, cookers, dryers and TVs and much more.
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 a Social Enterprise – Open for Business
Now that you’ve, started running, got on the bike or paid your fees and joined the gym for the New Year why not try a few less energic actions! At Recycle IT we have assembled a few pointers to help you reduce, reuse and recycle as part of your New Year’s resolutions.
It’s never too late to begin taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint and become more eco friendly. In 2019 make it your goal and here are 10 simple tips for cutting down on waste during 2019 and after.
New Year 2019 Resolutions
Reduce polystyrene usage. If you are buying something new leave the polystyrene packaging at the store, for safe recycling. If you need disposable plates for birthdays or picnics opt for something more recyclable. You can also ask your favorite takeaways to switch to an environmentally friendly alternative.
Cut down on energy usage. When you’re not using one of your many electronic devices such as phones, tablets, TV’s and laptops unplug them. This saves electricity and potentially saves money if you do it all the time. Remember its best to turn your devices off even if you don’t unplug.
Bring your own cup and food containers. Coffee shops are now happy to fill your washable and reusable to-go cup and while your local waiter might look twice at the to-go container you’ve brought from home to the restaurant you know it helps in reducing waste and clutter.
Fashion shopping. You’ve seen it, but this year, take action. There are to many paper bags and they are hard to recycle. Its normnal to bring bags food shopping so when you go clothes or shoe shopping please take a bag; one which folds into small pouches and can be easily placed in a handbag or jacket pocket – its easy!
Ppaer Bags
Old clothes. The EU textile industry generates waste estimated at 16 million tons per year. Much of this waste is ends up in landfills or is incinerated. Could you reduce the amount of clothes you purchase in 2019, can you reuse your current wardrobe of clothes or recycle in a safe manner. (research what happens to your older clothes prior to giving them away).
Bottled water and soft drinks. Stop buying bottled water and soft drinks in plastic bottles. The immediate result is less single use plastic on the planet. It also saves you money and reduces the impact on the worlds natural resources.
Tap water and energy. Most of us make tea or coffee at home or in the office; one easy tip is to fill the kettle with the amount of water you need for a cup, rather than filling it each time. If you’re using coffee pods, make sure you recycle them safely. Most suppliers have a recycle scheme.
Leftovers. After parties you might have half finished cans or bottles of cola. Why not use them to clean areas of your home. Cola drinks contains carbonic, citric and phosphoric acids which are often found in household cleaning products. Leave the cola to clean sinks or toilets, soke for an hour with the cola, then use a brush to clean and wash away. If you don’t have any cola, try vinegar, it works as well!
Glass of Cola
Drive less. Walk, run, cycle or use public transport (Bus, Dart, Luas, Trains) where and whenever possible. This is good for the environment, it offers exercise and save money in the long run. Some activities can also be fun when family and friends join in!
Curtail clutter. As new items replace old or damaged equipment please try to recycle immediately. This reduces clutter and free’s up space in your home or office. Items which are replace are rarely used again, Old mobile phones, tablets, radio’s, laptops, computers etc sit around for years. If safely recycled, the parts can be reused to create something new. It makes sense!
Start today
It doesn’t take alot to make your new year more environmentally friendly. You can try some or all of the above New Year resolution or come up with some of your own. If you do please let us know what you’re planning on doing to reduce, reuse and recycle and make your home and your family more eco-friendly in 2019.
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 2018 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!
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 2019
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 LightsRecycle 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 2019 – 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 2019 and running right up to the middle of January 2019.
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
South Dublin City Council has made tree recycling arrangements this year at 21 locations in South Dublin. Click here to view the locationshere for more details
Dublin City Council has made similar tree recycling arrangements and for opening hours for bring centres and Christmas trees recycling centres click here
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will have Christmas Tree recycling available to residents at the locations listed here
Fingal County Council will offer a Christmas Tree recycling service at the locations listed here
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT is anaward winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2018 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!
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 and sharing 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
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.
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.
Reuse 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.
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.
Stay close to home or share transport. Traveling kilometres 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 to reduce the carbon kilometres.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Use recycled Christmas wrapping and Christmas cards.
Cut up your old Christmas cards and use as present labels.
Buy rechargeable batteries for Santa gifts.
Add new labels to old envelopes and reuse.
Get you family making cards for family and friends.
Buy gifts that don’t have much packaging like vouchers or tickets.
Choose a present of antique art, silver or jewellery and promote reuse.
Use fruit and vegetables which is not pre-packed and reduce packaging
Compost your seasonal vegetables, peelings
Recycle glass, plastic and metal packaging including bottles and cans.
Buy high quality, hand-made, or craft gifts that will last.
Reuse last year’s Christmas jumper and santa hat for the office party.
Reuse bags for Christmas shopping.
Use a shopping list to reduce on food waste after Christmas.
Buy local to save on carbon miles while supporting the local economy.
Remember, shops are open again within days of Dec 25th!
Visit your local food banks with surplus food and drinks.
Seperate your plastic, paper and cardboard for easy recycling.
Use glass bottles rather than plastic.
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 anaward-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.
European Waste Reduction Week is run yearly and starts November 17th, 2018 running until Nov 25th 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.
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.
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!
Bring your food to school or work using a reusable tub.
Rent or hire school books and school supplies (reuse).
Hire gardening tools that you only use occasionally.
Opt for long lasting low-energy light bulbs.
Give your unwanted clothes a second life – rework or reuse.
Research purchases e.g. appliances and televisions, to determine the most energy-efficient, durable, and repairable.
Choose to buy bars of soap rather than liquid soaps.
Think long life, durable and reuseable products e.g. razors or ink pens.
Use rechargeable batteries at home or in office appliances.
Avoid unnecessary purchasing of occasion products, e.g. Halloween, Christmas and Easter.
Offer virtual gifts, such as tickets for a show, sports event or concert leading to reduced material content.
Choose eco-friendly products – read the labels.
Buys product with less or no packaging.
Buy regular use products in bulk, e.g. tinned and jarred products.
Bring a mug to work or the coffee shop for your daily coffee or tea.
Drink tap water in the office from a reusable glass or cup.
Prepared food at home for picnics while
Reuse flasks, tubs, knives, forks, and reusable carry bags
Use washable cloth napkins, sponges, and dish cloths.
Choose fresh food rather than processed food – healthier & less packaging.
Share files over email or file sharing. tools e.g. dropbox; to reduce printing.
Recycle and consider purchasing reused ink cartridges.
Reuse glass jars to store food, nails, screws and other useful household items.
Punch holes in small jam jar lids to create a cheese or spice shaker.
Approach office supply companies about purchasing used office equipment.
Use you bike for exercise – rather than taking the car to the gym.
Car share where distances are longer and where public transport is not accessible.
Use only what you need e.g. one paper napkin, one ketchup, one salt instead of a handfuls.
Take home any uneaten from restaurants in a doggie bag or box e.g. pizza
Reuse garden cuttings to create a composed natural fertilizer.
Share kids toys and books with family members and friends.
Buy books second-hand and share used books at work or with avid readers!
Remove lamp shades for reuse when recycling damaged lamps.
Reuse a bike daily for work and leisure.
Repair and reuse bike tyre tubes following a puncture.
Reuse old pillows as stuffing for new cushions.
Use both sides of the page when writing or drawing.
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.
Advances hardware and software on computers, laptops tablets, and smartphones help 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 was generated globally in 2016, with just 20% documented as recycled. According to a 2019 UN report, Global e–waste production is on track to reach 120 million tonnes per year by 2050 – Time to act!
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 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.
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 your 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 online 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 choices, ask yourself; Is repair worthwhile?
Computers for Recycling
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 tablet 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 too old 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 organization can increase its overall sustainability and efforts to recycle. For more information on computer recycling please click here
Choosing IT or computer recycling options through Recycle IT supports real jobs and training opportunities in our community and helps with safe environmentally friendly recycling in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Please call our team on 01 4578321 to learn more!
Recycle IT – Team Work
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT are anaward-winning community enterprise providing recycling collection and drop off services for all types of waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal items.
During 2018 Recycle IT offered to drop off and collection services to tens of thousands of homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and screens
Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is 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.
Ireland is ranked the 7th highest country in the EU for recycling and recovery, achieving 91%. This figure is made up of 68% recycling and 23% recovery of all packaging waste in 2017.
In the same year, WEEE Ireland supported the recycling of 35,708 tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment. Lots going on but lots more to be achieved!
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 include games, batteries, phones, metals, and toys; the list is endless so click here for more..
Recycle IT – Community Electrical Recycling
Recycle IT has a focus on recycling old, once loved 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 outdoor 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 resident’s recycling days.
TV Recycling By Recycle IT
12 Reasons to avail of Free WEEE Recycle
Recycling conserves resources e.g. metal, plastics, water, fuel.
Recycling reduces clutter and creates space.
Recycling helps reduce Co2 emissions.
Recycling saves energy.
Recycling helps protect the environment e.g climate change
Recycling reduces landfill.
Recycling reduces domestic waste charges.
Recycling helps create and maintain local employment.
Recycling encourages others in your community to recycle.
Recycling using official locations or collections reduces dumping of waste.
Recycling helps our children learn about sustainability so involve your kids.
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 of 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 tons 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 surrounding areas in Wicklow and Kildare also serviced so please give us a call to learn more and arrange a residents collection for your area.
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 is supported by Dormant Accounts to deliver our community and residents collection service.
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.
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 five simple steps listed below can be used to help organise a Clean-Up:
When & What time – Decide where you want to do it and what time, e.g. our local park at 12pm
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.
Get a partner/sponsor – Organise a thank-you partner like a drink at the local coffee shop or a little party
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
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.
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.
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
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
For generations in Ireland and across Europe thriftwas 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 helped 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 preferable!
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
Create reusable lunch boxes or storage containers from large plastic ice cream tubs.
After a picnic or BBQ, wash and save plastic knives, forks and spoons then store for your next outdoor event.
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.
Harvest seeds from fruit and vegetables and try to grow them!
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.
Turn toilet rolls or paper towel tubes into playthings for children or nesting materials for your small pets.
Create egg carton crafts
Store printed pictures and photos in poly pockets to reduce the aging effects from humidity, damp and light.
Use old wine corks to create a floating key ring; your keys won’t sinking while at the pool, beach or lake.
Use a 2-liter plastic bottle to create a bird feeder.
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.
Put old newspaper under a tablecloth to offer protection against spills.
Clean your window on Monday with Sundays newspapers (instead of paper towel)
Place an open jar or bowl of dried, used coffee grounds in your refrigerator or freezer to neutralize odors.
Keep a jar of dried, used coffee grounds to use with washing up liquid. It acts as a scouring agent for baked on food
Placed used coffee grounds in a ring around garden plants to keep bugs and slugs away.
Refresh your eyes fresh with chilled and dampened tea bags taken from the fridge.
Cut old bike tire tubes tube into strips to make rubber bands in custom sizes.
Cut or shred paper or thin card into eco-friendly packing material for presents or parcels.
Reuse IT – Washing Machine Drum Light
As kids outgrow coloring pencils, pens and art supplies try donating them to your local school.
Empty bottles, sweet boxes and biscuit tins can be used as small screw holders, tool boxes, sewing kit or cake holders.
Collect old soap ends into stocking leg and keep by an outdoor tap, ensuring you have hand wash for outside use.
Cut up old t-shirts and use them to clean up messy spills around the house and in the garage.
Used an old adult t-shirt as painting overalls for your kids – saves washing clothes.
Old tights make great rags for cleaning, dusting and shining
Old tights can be reused as sleeves for storing posters, wallpaper rolls, wrapping paper or anything else that needs to stay rolled up.
Cut the legs of old jeans to make super cool shorts for summer.
Use banana peels to shine your shoes. Rub the inside of the peel on shoes, then shine with a soft cloth.
Turn bread heals into breadcrumbs once dried out. Just blitz.
Use the peels of juiced lemons and limes to make zest and twists, which can be dried or frozen for later use.
Use juiced citrus fruit halves sprinkled with salt to clean stainless steel and other metal fixtures.
Add a piece of orange peel to brown sugar to ensure it stays soft.
Don’t throw away half used copy books, up-cycle into kid’s drawing books.
Unravel woolen jumpers and knit something new for you!
Reused material from 3 or 4 broken umbrellas to assemble a retro style rain poncho.
Jars can be cleaned and used to store homemade jams, preserves or even as a desk organizer for pens, paper clips or pencils.
Save old toothbrushes to scrub hard to reach places, like grout, sinks or behind water taps.
Collect broken china to re-tile outdoor tables, flower pots or paths.
Hang old clothes drawers or washing machine drums on the wall to create shelves or used them as storage boxes.
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 organizations 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 to drop off and collection services homes and organizations 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
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:
Working in partnership with local communities
Socially responsible investment (SRI)
Developing relationships with employees and customers
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.
Office waste mainly consists of electrical, electronic, cardboard, paper, packaging and food waste, all of which can be reused, recycled or composted.
Mixed wast also turns up in the office. Items like glass or plastic bottles, plastic cups, coffee cups and sandwiches wrappers to name a few. These items can all be segregated and recycled in the office or you could encourage staff to reusable coffee cups or tupperware.
Office Space
The benefits of introducing a programme of reduce, reuse and recycling include;
Big savings over time on waste disposal costs.
Boost to staff moral with 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 with your trading partners.
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?
Tips on How to Reduce Office Waste
All employees should be encouraged to move to a paperless office – Develop a short and simple plan!
Reduce the amount of paper used in the office.
Only print for those that really use printed copies.
Use e-mail or instant messages to save paper, time and money.
Reports and presentation should be electronic only
Research purchasing printers which print double-sided copies only.
Photocopy and print double-sided.
Draft documents can be reviewed on-screen before emaling.
Scrap paper can be used to make note pads to take phone messages.
Introduce a centralised office filing system. This reduces multiple files,
Enable the reuse of paper envelopes by putting a label on top of the old address.
If paper is used try lighter weight papers for everyday internal task.
Cut down on excess equipment sitting in the store, going out of date, e.g. electrical and electronic office equipment.
Regularly service office equipment, particularly computers, photocopiers and printers, to prolong their lifespan.
Employees should regularly empty out their desk and return any unwanted office supplies to the stationery cupboard.
Free or online newspaper subscription can reduce the amount of paper to be recycled.
Cancel any unwanted magazine or newspaper subscriptions to avoid unwanted waste accumulating.
Office announcements can be posted online, sent via email or posted once in a centralised monitor or TV screen.
Consider renting office equipment that you use only occasionally rather than having to store it in the workplace.
Encourage colleagues to bring lunch to work in reusable containers.
Encourage management have reusable silverware, plates and cups and a small coffee station in the office.
Research and action purchasing products with less packaging or with no packaging at all.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 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.
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
Schools, charities, community groups, and small business are invited to recycle or host an 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 – Recycling 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
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.
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
Display technology is commonly associated with screens that present information in visual form. Most displays are used in television sets (TVs), computer monitors and mobile phones/smartphones. In 2015, there were 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 having 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
What’s 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 have determined the dimensions of computer monitors.
In recent times CRT technology has 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 them 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 your old electrical items alongside your old TVs 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
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
Use a shopping basket instead of a trolley.
Do not buy over packaged products. e.g fruit or meat.
Leave excess packaging at the store or shop – they might get the idea!
Think about whether you need an item before you buy it.
Go paperless – stop printing, e.g. buy an online newspaper subscription.
Print on both side of the page or not at all.
Reject junk mail – place a sign on your post box.
Give away or sell what you don’t need.
Purchase used products from the web, car boot sales or classified ads.
Make the decision to reuse e.g. books, clothes, shoes.
Buy less food – purchase what you need not what you want!
Compost and mulch your garden greens for reuse.
Borrow, lend, rent, and share equipment including toys, and tools.
Maintain and repair instead of replacing.
Buy for a long life or durability.
Be mindful of buying into trends or fads – they are short-lived.
Use long life light bulbs.
Use recyclable, repairable, refillable, re usable, or biodegradable products.
Bring food to school, work or on picnic’s in reusable containers..
Plan travel to help reduce CO2 emissions.
Question the need for new stuff in your home or the office.
Reuse paper and plastic shopping bags for gifting items, grocery or clothes shopping.
Think about your disposal coffee cup usage – change the habit!
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?
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
The economic downturn has had a marked influence on municipal waste generation. It has decreased by 17% since it peaked in 2007
Household waste generated per person in Ireland in 2011 amounted to 367kg which is considerably less than the EU average of 438kg
One third of the food we buy ends up in the bin. This can cost the average household up to €1,000 per year
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
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
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
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
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 Frameworkhere
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.
South Dublin celebrates Eco Week 2018 from the 23rd – 27th April 2018. Eco week now in its 14th year and will be launched Monday 23rd 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 23rd 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
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
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
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
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 is an overabundance of possessions that collectively create chaotic and disorderly living spaces,” said Joseph Ferrari, a professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago.
A 2017 study, published in Current Psychology found a substantial link between procrastination and clutter challenges in the age groups; college students, young adults in their 20s and 30s and older adults, mainly in their 50s; so lots of people face clutter challenges and frustration with clutter tended to increase with age. (Source: New York Times, Jan 2019)
Office 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?
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).
Store Room Clutter – Computers – Monitors – Cables
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.
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:
Make a written note of all the areas you need to de-clutter.
Prioritize the areas and assign your time.
Do one area at a time.
Set a start and finish dates for each area.
Be sure to pick dates that are real so you get the job complete.
Make time and get help to work on specific areas which may take longer like a garden shed or attic.
Use a system to save on time and energy.
Plan how you might lift on move heavy items.
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
Don’t hold onto items once they have made the box.
Sell some items online, e.g. Ebay, Done Deal or Adverts.
Repurpose old stuff with some DIY and help from friends.
Donate to charity shops.
Share items with family, friends or colleagues e.g kids clothes or toys.
Gift your items to friends or colleague with an interest in them.
Share items free for reuse. Go online or find an exchange network
Moving forward, recycle stuff immediately when used or end of life
Consider gifting items based on condition.
After the clear out consider what you buy and recycle one day at a time.
Before and After Clutter
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 2018 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to approx. 90,000 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.
Recycle IT are Repak Community Recycler of the Year 2017
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;
Re-use paper – have collection points near printers / photocopiers for paper reuse.
Regularly review /remove older customer accounts to save on postage and paper.
Set up a central collection point for reusable office supplies and share with others.
Use email, telephone, meetings and bulletin boards for office communication.
Promote double-sided printing and photocopying.
Stop using faxes machines.
Recycle printer and toner cartridges.
Send invoices and statements to customers via email.
Ask suppliers to minimise packaging.
Compact cardboard and plastics.
Use shredded paper for infill.
Buy business materials in bulk (Helps reduce shipping and packaging costs).
Spend time training staff on waste reduction and new initiatives which are planned. (just don’t expect change, encourage change)
Use video conferences and conference calls rather travel to meeting. Its saves all the related waste and expense of a meeting.
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
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
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 11th, 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.
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
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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 13th, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Use recycled Christmas wrapping and Christmas cards.
Cut up your old Christmas cards and use as present labels.
Bring bags to the shops and reuse them for Christmas shopping.
Buy rechargeable batteries for toys from Santa.
Stick new labels on old envelopes and reuse.
Get you family making cards for family and friends.
Buy gifts that don’t have much packaging like vouchers or tickets.
Choose a present of antique art, silver or jewellery and promote reuse.
Use fruit and vegetables which is not pre-packed and reduce packaging.
Visit your local food banks with surplus food and drinks.
Compost your seasonal vegetables, peelings
Recycle glass, plastic and metal packaging including bottles and cans.
Buy high quality, hand-made, or craft gifts that will last.
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.
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!
Most LED lights cost only little more than traditional Christmas lights and glow brighter.
By changing to LED lights you will save on electricity during the festive season.
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.
Strings of LED light can be much longer than traditional lights
New LED lights generally stay cooler which is deemed safer.
LED lights now create the glow of incandescent light or traditional fairy lights so you can relive memories of years ago.
LED lights contain no toxic elements therefore they help to protect the environment and reduce toxic waste created by traditional Christmas lights.
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 withWEEE 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.
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.
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!
Sell stuff online, e.g. Ebay, Done Deal or Adverts.
Repurpose old stuff with some DIY and help from friends.
Donate to charity or community organisations.
Use items or ask someone else if they can use the items.
Gift your items to friends or colleague with an interest in them.
Share items free for reuse. Go online or find an exchange network.
Don’t hold onto items once they have made the box.
Recycle all old electrical, electronic and battery operated items.
Moving forward, recycle stuff immediately when used or end of life.
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.
