Autumn Waste Reduction by Recycle IT

Waste Reduction Ideas from Recycle IT

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

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

Consumer Shopping Centre

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

21 Eco Tips for Shopping

1. Write a list of what you need to buy.
2. Look at your needs versus your wants – ask yourself if you really need the item or really want unnecessary items?
3. Make time to shop around in your area, look for cost-saving and eco-benefits.
4. It’s best not to shop when you’re hungry or stressed.
5. Don’t bring your kids shopping – it is stressful at times and you leave with more wants than needs!
6. Buy fresh fruit & veggies with no packaging or it’s even better if you grow your own!
7. Leave packaging behind. The stores will get the message!
8. When buying a household cleaning product, always read the labels and look for natural and safe alternatives
9. If you think cleaning products are toxic leave them behind.
10. Try buying everyday items in bulk; it reduces the amount of packaging and saves money e.g. rice and pasta.
11. Move to reusable products – avoid single-use products like batteries, nappies, disposable razors, plates or cutlery.
12. Ask yourself some questions when shopping – Is it reliable? Can it be repaired, refilled, reused and restored?
13. How will the product look, feel and function as it gets older? e.g. electrical or electronic items.
14. Consider buying second-hand, hiring / renting or borrowing occasionally used items around the house e.g. share a lawnmower
15. Use your local library to access books, games, movies, and events.
16. Every purchase makes an impact, your pocket as well as the environment so shop wisely and ethically.
17. Plan shopping trips so you don’t have to go out multiple times. This saves time, money and can help reduces CO2 emissions for transport users.
18. Take a reusable bag and your reusable coffee cup on the shopping trip.
19. Always check the origin of fruit or vegetables and try to take an in-season approach.
20.  Avoid or walk straight passed the water bottles aisle.
21. Proactively ask the store staff for paper packaging, your requests will be eventually be heard by management.

Reusable Shopping Bag

The Green Shopper 

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

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning social enterprise providing a community, personal and business collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Dublin and surrounding counties.

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, Dormant Accounts, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT – Eco-Friendliness Awards Winners 2019

Recycling Centres close to you in Dublin!

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.

Waste by Image

The main centres are listed below:

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

If you are interested in offering items for reuse you can visit www.freetradeireland.ie

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

Visit our website for further details.

Second Hand September

What are you doing this September? 

Are you going to sign up for Second Hand September 2019, If so just click here and take the challenge!  It’s fairly simple, pledge to say no to new clothes for 30 days. Can we all do that? You will find some reasons to commit below!

Oxfam has launched Second-hand September, a campaign encouraging consumers to not purchase new clothing over the next month. Instead, you can consider reusing old clothing or buying upcycle or second-hand clothes from the many charity shops located around Ireland.

Oxfam wants people to take a 30-day pledge, saying yes to second-hand which stops great clothes from going to landfill and gives them a longer life. It reduces waste, water usage, transportation and harmful environmental impacts related to the production of new clothing.

Did you know, it can take 10,000 liters of water to produce a kilo of cotton. Cotton is a water-dependent crop and uses a large amount of water to produce and process.  The Water Footprint Network estimates that, on average, over 10,000 liters are required to produce 1 kg of cotton fabric – enough for one pair of jeans.  Put another way, the fabric used to make a pair of jeans and a T-shirt uses about the same amount of water as the average person needs to drink for 10 years.

Extend life – one of the most effective ways to reduce your clothing footprint is to wear what’s already in your wardrobe for longer. This means looking after your clothes, washing them less frequently, patching your jeans and darning the holes in your T-shirts. If you don’t know how to darn you can learn, ask your gran or watch a video

Leave new on the shelf – trawl second-hand shops, charity shops, vintage and retro markets for that special item. You will be surprised!

Upcycle, downcycle, recycle – Cotton clothes can be shared and upcycled to make any number of accessories, including jewelry, patches, and bags. If you have unwanted clothes why not send them to charity shops. Whatever state they’re in; even if they can’t be worn again, they’ll be sold for downcycling into cleaning rags and other non-clothing uses.

Clothes

What about microfibres? – the clothing version of plastic microbeads, which have been hearing about in the news. There is increasing concern related to microfibres including how items of clothing shed tiny threads in the wash, which are then washed away and ingested by fish, which some of us eat. Fleece materials and microfibers clothes used in households across the country are considered contributors.

Cloth made from synthetics fabrics such as polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon, etc. is implicated as the source of water pollution. Microfibers, as the name suggested, are extremely small so they can easily move through our water and sewage treatment plants. Unlike natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, synthetic fibers do not break down which causes challenges for the environment.

Shopping 

Did you know 23,000 tonnes of textiles are processed through Irish Charity Shops Association members yearly all of which is diverted from landfill or incineration? 12,000 tonnes are sold to customers like you and me for wearable reused with 11,000 tonnes sent to textile recyclers. We had a look and found listings for 96 charity shops in Dublin alone so there is no excuse not to sign up for Second Hand September 2019 – lots of clothes to choose from and lots of shops to buy from!

About Recycle IT

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

Recycle IT – JCI Dublin Eco-Friendly Business Award Winner 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recycle IT – Friendly Business Award Winner

Social Enterprise wins Friendly Business Award 2019

The Friendly Business Awards is operated and run by JCI Ireland to recognize the pivotal role small businesses play in their local community.

The Friendly Business Awards seek to recognize and celebrate those businesses that go the “extra mile” by continuing to enhance the customer experience without compromising on customer service.

JCI  – A Global Network

As we live in challenging times for small businesses, the aim of the Friendly Business Awards is to celebrate the value small businesses bring to local communities every day and recognize those that excel in serving the needs of the local community and those who play a vital role in its development.

Process

Members of the public can nominate businesses in their locality across each of the categories listed below.  The person or person’s nominating will usually have had a number of good experiences and realize the value the business brings to the community they serve.

Categories:

• Community Impact
• Customer Care
• Digital Experience
• Disability Access
• Eco-Friendliness
• Age-Friendly
• Shop Layout and Design

These businesses are then assessed against a specific set of criteria for each category before being reviewed and adjudicated on by an expert panel. The local winners for each category were announced on the evening of Aug 28th, 2019 in the Mansion House, Dublin with Recycle IT delighted to be named as Eco-Friendliness Category Winner for Dublin.

Recycle IT – JCI Friendly Business Award Winner 2019

Recycle IT believe this award can grow credibility, promote our brand and increase awareness of services offered. It will increase visibility for the organization, draw in new recyclers, enhance morale and confirm the value of our work amongst our staff team. As more people get to know we have been positively recognized for our recycling and environmental efforts it encourages customer loyalty and can increase recycling rates.

Over the last 18 months Recycle IT have recycled over 1000 tonnes of mixed electrical, electronic and metal items as well as upgraded our recycling facility to be increasing eco-friendly in the use of water and energy.

What Next 

Each JCI Branch then puts forward a shortlist of local winners to be considered for JCI Ireland National Friendly Business Awards, which will take place at the JCI Ireland National Convention taking place in Westport, Co Mayo between the 11th to the 13th of October 2019. This year the conference will be hosted by JCI Mayo.

The National Friendly Business Award entries will face a public vote & a judging panel prior to there section as a category winner. There will also be one lucky business selected as the overall JCI Ireland National Friendly Business for Ireland.

About JCI 

JCI (Junior Chamber International) is a non-profit organization and global network of young active citizens aged 18 to 40 from across the globe that is engaged and committed to creating an impact in their communities. JCI provides its members with training and leadership opportunities, networking, social events and projects in their local community, and the chance to develop themselves both professionally and personally.

JCI Dublin Awards Logo

Free School Recycling Collections

Battery, Electrical and Electronic Recycling for Schools, Colleges…

As Autumn arrives Dublin schools, colleges, and training organizations 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, 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 a new product. Your recycling helps sustain our organization 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 school’s collection service is organized 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 the last 18 months, we worked with hundreds of schools, colleges, and training organizations 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 is an award-winning, not for profit, social enterprise established to create employment and promote environmental awareness through recycling and reuse. We work in partnership with WEEE Ireland and are authorized by your local authority to provide electrical, electronic and pure metal recycling collections across Dublin since 2007. Recycle IT are fully compliant for WEEE collection with permit detail available here.

Recycle IT – Commended for Corporate Social Responsibility

18 Eco-Friendly Travel Tips

Travel 

Most people are now aware of or focused on environmental wellbeing but when it comes to travel for work, holidays or downtime away from home the focus is sometimes lost or relaxed. People tend to take there mind off doing many daily activities including environmentally friendly activities when away from home.

Clifden Galway

When away people simply don’t think or ask about recycling coffee/tea cups, food waste, water bottles, plastic cups, foil containers, and many other items. Sometimes it’s not easy to see or identify solutions but there are choices so please ask no matter where you are!

Green Trips 

We found Green Travel to be a term covering two main areas? Firstly it refers to following responsible travel practices and taking care of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. This might include considering and using the most eco-friendly travel options!

Irish Rail

Secondly, it refers to eco-tourism which is described by some as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial mass tourism

As awareness and choice increases we can choose a variety of eco-friendly destinations, transportation, hotels, tour operators, and holiday shopping activities which don’t damage the environment. We can also create extra benefits and value for local people earning their living from tourism by purchasing locally made items rather than mass-produced gimmicks.

Coastal Kerry

Here are some tips for travelers 

1. Before leaving home turn down the fridge, turn off lights and unplug the radio, alarm clock, and TV,  turn off heating and close windows.
2. Take a reusable water bottle with you so you can refill over and over again.
3. Book a family holiday in Ireland and travel together on public transport.
4. Travel light, you’ll never use all the clothes you bring.
5. Walk, jog or cycle to areas of natural beauty – forget about hiring a car – use the bus.
6. Use online maps or electronic guides rather than printed paper material.
7. Research and book eco-friendly accommodation – learn more about green destinations in Ireland.
8. Choose a hotel, Airbnb or guesthouse using solar power, wind turbines, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, and low-water usage toilets.
9. Ask the host where to put your items for recycling.
10. When you leave your accommodation, turn off all the lights, heat/AC, television. tablets etc.
11. Use a biodegradable sunscreen or simply cover-up while in the sun. It’s environmentally friendly and saves money!
12. Opt to have your bed sheets and towels changed at most, every third day as this save an amazing amount of water, energy, and detergent.
13. Hang up your towels after each use, which is the universal sign that you’d like to use them again
14. Take any leftover soap, shampoo, or toothpaste with you. Unused liquids are often thrown away, why not use and then reuse/refill the plastic bottles.
15. If you go shopping take a reusable bag.
16. Refrain from buying plastic or single-use gifts
17. Let the air out of beach balls and take games home for reuse!
18. Leave finished books and magazines where others can pick them up for a good read.

Lough Key Forest, Boyle, Roscommon

Experiences 

Travel for work or play is great to experience. Seeing new things and meeting new people expands our minds, promotes relations, cultural understanding and provides opportunities for some fun and memories of a relaxed time in our lives but do try to remember the environment and help save it for the next generation of travelers.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT  are an award-winning, eco award 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, Dormant Accounts, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT

 

 

 

 

Reduce, Repair, Reuse or Recycle Computers

Computers – the end of life options! 

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 were 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. Have a read below to learn more about reduce, repair, reuse and recycle 

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 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 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.

Recycle IT – Collection Service

Electronic Data Safety for Homes and Small Offices

PC and Laptop Hard Disk Drives!

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

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

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

Recycle IT – Detachable Tablet

Creating Data

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

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

Is Data Really Green _ Recycle IT

Storage

Today data can be stored on computers, external hard drives, mobile phones, tablets, memory cards, memory keys or many other storage devices. Both business and personal data is stored and can be valuable to others. Information like credit card information, photos or customer contact details, medical history and much more.

So if you are upgrading to a new computer device (desktop computer, phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) please arrange for the removal of the hard drive at the same time as recycling the computer!

It’s important to remain mindful of removing, erasing and destroying data which is important to you.

What to Do next?

The key to destroying your computer HDD is ensuring the drive 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 to Recycle IT practice.

Hard Disk Drive 

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.

How to Destroy Hard Disk Drives 

If you are disposing of an old computer with a hard drive, it’s best to physically destroy the hard drive just to be 100% certain that the old data is completely destroyed.

Recycle IT use trained personal and electronic tools to ensure the HDD is physically destroyed. This method is an ideal option for the disposal of home or office hard drives.

Hard Disk Drive – Recycle IT

Safety in Destruction

Our team takes 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

Not matter who or what method you choose, it’s best to arrange the destruction of old hard drives containing important information before or at the time of recycling your computers, laptops, phones, etc.  Recycle IT offer the service and the opportunity to view the destruction process.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning, not for profit, social enterprise established to create employment and promote environmental 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.

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

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Electrical Recycling – Free for Residents Groups!

So how are we doing? 

Ireland has surpassed the EU targets for collection of household electrical items, and for recovery of WEEE of all ten categories. More than 52,300 tonnes of WEEE (all categories, household, and non-household) were collected for treatment across Ireland. More than 47,500 tonnes of WEEE were recovered with 59% of WEEE collected comprising of large household appliances. (Source: EPA Release, 31 January 2018).

Did you know about 69% of the waste electrical and electronic equipment collected was treated in Ireland? (although not necessarily final treatment)

Recycle IT want to encourage householders, families, and children to think about the actions they can take to recycle more old or unwanted or unused stuff around your home. This include games, batteries, phones, metals, and electronic 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 2018 Recycle IT visited thousands of homes located on roads and in estated across Dublin and surrounding areas with the average weight of mixed items collected matching the weight of a large tumble-dryer at 40KG. The weight of items safely recycled by our team in 2018 totaled over 680 tons.  Over 4000 people assisted with moving heavy or awkward items directly from homes.

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

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

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

Household Electrical Equipment

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.

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.

About Recycle IT

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.

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

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

Recycle IT is supported by Dormant Accounts to deliver our scheduled community and residents recycling collection service.

Dormant Accounts Funded 2019

Social Enterprise Policy – News Update

The Policy Launch

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. This consultation 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.

Key Focus

The new National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland is focused on three key objectives:

1. Building Awareness of Social Enterprise;
2. Growing and Strengthening Social Enterprise and
3. 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, which will be published later in 2019.

Training Fund

On Sept 2nd, 2019, Mr. Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, announced €800,000 in funding for the provision of training and mentoring for social enterprises throughout Ireland. The funding will be provided from the Dormant Accounts Fund and will support one of the key policy commitments in the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland which is detailed above.

Mr. Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development

Pobal will shortly be inviting Expressions of Interest on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development for the delivery of training and mentoring from national, regional or local organizations or networks that have a demonstrable track record in the delivery of training and mentoring to social enterprises.

Statutory bodies or institutions, including Higher Education Institutions, which have a proven track record in providing direct supports and training to social enterprises, will also be eligible to apply.

This training initiative delivers on the commitment made in the National Social Enterprise Policy. and up to 300 participants are likely to benefit from the provision of training and mentoring supports over the next 12 months.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-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 operated 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

Recycle IT

 

Battery Recycling – Now is good!

Did you know?

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

WEEE Ireland Battery 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.
• Recycle IT recycle batteries from homes, schools, colleges, and charities daily through our collection and drop off services.

WEEE Ireland

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

Recycle IT

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

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

 

42 Summer Tips – Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

Summer Tips! –  Mixed of old and new!

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

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 

1. Create reusable lunch boxes or storage containers from large plastic ice cream tubs.
2. Use metal knives, forks, and spoons for your next outdoor event 
3. If you have plastic knives, forks, and spoons wash, store and reuse at your next summer event.
4. 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.
5. Harvest seeds from fruit and vegetables and try to grow them!
6. 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.
7. Turn toilet rolls or paper towel tubes into playthings for children or nesting materials for your small pets.
8. Have a go at egg carton crafts – family fun! 
9. Store printed pictures and photos in poly pockets to reduce the aging effects from humidity, damp and light.
10. Use old wine corks to create a floating key ring; your keys won’t sinking while at the pool, beach or lake.
11. Use 2-liter plastic bottles to create bird feeders.
12. 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.
13. Put old newspaper under a tablecloth to offer protection against spills.
14. Place an open jar or bowl of dried, used coffee grounds in your refrigerator or freezer to neutralize odors.
15. Keep a jar of dried, used coffee grounds to use with washing up liquid. It acts as a scouring agent for baked on food
16. Placed used coffee grounds in a ring around garden plants to keep bugs and slugs away.
17. Refresh your eyes fresh with chilled and dampened tea bags taken from the fridge.
18. Cut old bike tire tubes tube into strips to make rubber bands in custom sizes.
19. Cut or shred paper or thin card into eco-friendly packing material for presents or parcels.
20. As kids outgrow coloring pencils, pens and art supplies try donating them to your local school.
21. Empty bottles, sweet boxes and biscuit tins can be used as small screw holders, tool boxes, sewing kit or cake holders.
22. Collect old soap ends into stocking leg and keep by an outdoor tap, ensuring you have hand wash for outside use.
23. Cut up old t-shirts and use them to clean up messy spills around the house and in the garage.
24. Used an old adult t-shirt as painting overalls for your kids – saves washing clothes.
25. Old tights make great rags for cleaning, dusting and shining
26. Old tights can be reused as sleeves for storing posters, wallpaper rolls, wrapping paper or anything else that needs to stay rolled up.
27. Cut the legs of old jeans to make super cool shorts for summer.
28. Use banana peels to shine your shoes. Rub the inside of the peel on shoes, then shine with a soft cloth.
29. Turn bread heals into breadcrumbs once dried out. Just blitz.
30. Use the peels of juiced lemons and limes to make zest and twists, which can be dried or frozen for later use.
31. Use juiced citrus fruit halves sprinkled with salt to clean stainless steel and other metal fixtures.
32. Add a piece of orange peel to brown sugar to ensure it stays soft.
33. Don’t throw away half used copy books, up-cycle into kid’s drawing books.
34. Unravel woolen jumpers and knit something new for you!
35. Reused material from 3 or 4 broken umbrellas to assemble a retro style rain poncho.
36. Jars can be cleaned and used to store homemade jams, preserves or even as a desk organizer for pens, paper clips or pencils.
37. Save old toothbrushes to scrub hard to reach places, like grout, sinks or behind water taps.
38. Collect broken china to re-tile outdoor tables, flower pots or paths.
39. Hang old clothes drawers or washing machine drums on the wall to create shelves or used them as storage boxes.
40. Reuse water from washing and/or cooking vegetables to water plants internally and externally 
41. 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)
42. 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

 

 

Sharing News – Bye-Laws and Waste Labelling

Waste Bye-Laws

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

Recycle IT – Learning with Communities

Technological University Dublin

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.

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;

1. Progresses the community organization’s aims and objectives.
2. 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, operate 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.

TU Dublin Logo

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 Principal of TU Dublin City Campus.

Recycle IT – TU Dublin Community Partner

Recycle IT were delighted to be presented with a Learning With Communities Award following 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.

To learn more please click here

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

Recycle IT – Collecting all over Dublin

Healthy and Eco-Friendly – Cycling and Recycling

Recent Trends

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)

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

Encourage Cycling and Environmental Awareness.

Recycle IT want to encourage as many people as possible to read and share this blog post. Then throughout the 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 are now working with a Dublin based charity and social enterprise to share bikes, bike frames, and parts so bikes can be rebuilt and sold at affordable prices in the hope of creating training and employment opportunities.

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

 

Recycling Electrical Waste and IT Equipment.

Recycling and IT Disposal

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 organizations and properties across Dublin. Through this work, we create training and employment opportunities.

Recycle IT – Recycling Cables

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 organization, 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.

Recycle IT – Collection Service

Plastic Free July 2019

Can you Refuse’ Single-use Plastic?

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.

Social Enterprise Policy – News

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”

Draft Social Enterpise Policy Document Cover

The draft policy is focused on three objectives:

1. Building Awareness of Social Enterprise

2. Growing and Strengthening Social Enterprise

3. Achieving Better Policy Alignment

Why not have a say after reading the draft National Policy on Social Enterprise

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.

For more information on Recycle IT please call 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT

EPA Climate Conference – May 15th

Climate Change Overview

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.

For more information on Recycle IT please call 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT – WEEE Fact

Dormant Accounts Funding for Recycle IT

Press Release – March 29, 2019.

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.

For more information on Recycle IT please call 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Department of Rural and Community Development

Tips for National Spring Clean Month

Community Spring Clean 2019

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:

• Local Organisations e.g. Recycle IT or Recycling Centres
• Local Authorities e.g. South Dublin County Council
• Schools, Community Colleges, Universities and Environmental Groups.
• Youth Groups e,g, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides or Foróige
• Community Service Initiative e.g. Tus.
• General Public.

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.

For more information on Recycle IT please call 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit our website www.recycleit.ie

You can get your spring clean pack and more information click here

Recycle IT – Collection Service

Eco Week 2019 in South Dublin – Extended by Recycle IT!

April 1st – April 5th 2019 

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 Work Collection 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 website www.recycleit.ie to 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 Recycling in Work Initiative 2019

Recycling your old Electrical Equipment in Work 

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

General Household Electrical Items for Recycling – Recycle IT

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

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

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 a full 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.

Call us on 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Recycling Home Electrical Items – Some Options!

Disposing of Old Electrical Items

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 may be 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 electronics recycling service have been operated by Recycle IT since 2002. Our teams work with householders, charities, schools, colleges, business, government, non-government and community-based organizations in Dublin and the surrounding counties of Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT / Recycle TV’s

Recycle IT offer kerbside, door to door and organizational recycling collections. Services are offered to about 90,000 homes and organizations 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 organizations 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 accepted free from (homes and organizations) 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 is an award-winning, not for profit, a social enterprise established to create employment and promote environmental 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.

CSR Commended 2018 – Recycle IT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bogus – Fake – Phony – Recycling Collections

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 would generally require a paid collection or drop off to a recycling centre.

Collection Flyer – Is it Real – You Decide? 

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?

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

It’s complicated!

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

Ask yourself the question – Who’s Paying?

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

Official Electrical Recycling Collection – Recycle IT

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise in Dublin providing a neighborhood 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.

Recycling Office PC’s & Information Safety!

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.

Call us on 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

CSR Commended – Recycle IT

Waste List for Ireland and more…….

Waste List – what to recycle. 

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 111,000 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.

Call us on 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

CSR Commended – Recycle IT

Steps to reduce or stop single-use plastics in organisations

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 tips to 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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!

9. 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

10. 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.

CSR Commended – Recycle IT

 

New Year Resolutions by Recycle IT

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!

Recycle IT Logo

Recycling Christmas Lights & Trees in Dublin 2018 / 2019

Recycling Christmas Trees  

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

Christmas Tree Recycling 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 Lights Recycle IT will accept them. All lights, old or damaged, large or small, internal or external can be dropped off free of charge from January 2nd 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 

1. 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
2. Dublin City Council has made similar tree recycling arrangements and for opening hours for bring centres and Christmas trees recycling centres click here
3. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will have Christmas Tree recycling available to residents at the locations listed here
4. Fingal County Council will offer a Christmas Tree recycling service at the locations listed here

About Recycle IT

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

Happy New Year from all the Recycle IT team

11 Ways to a Greener Christmas

Greener Christmas Cheer

Christmas time is one of the easiest holidays to green up. With a simple focus on giving thanks rather than gifts, we can honor our family and friends and help the environment in which we live.  Reading 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

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

Wishing Everyone a Greener Festive Season 

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

About Recycle IT 

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

Happy Christmas from the Recycle IT Team

 

Environmentally Friendly Christmas – tips to help!

Making a festive difference.

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

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

Winter Snow

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

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

 Tips to help over the festive season. 

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

 Thinking of  2019

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

Winter in Dublin City Centre

About Recycle IT

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

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

Recycle  IT Commended for CSR in the Community 2018

Visit our website for further details or call 01 4578321.

Happy Christmas 2018 and all the best for 2019.

Waste Reduction Week 2018!

European Waste Reduction Week 2018

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

What does Recycling mean?

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

European Waste Reduction Week 2018 Support by Recycle IT

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

Create a paperless office? – step by step!

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

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

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

Office – Paperless Office

Waste Reduction Tips

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

Office Equipment Recycling.

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

Electronic Office Waste

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

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

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

For more information please visit the European Waste Reduction Week website 

Good luck with your European Waste Reduction Week.

About Recycle IT

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

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

 

 

 

An Taisce – Be a Climate Ambassador

Climate Ambassador Programme 2019

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

Climate Ambassador Programme

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

Effects of climate change

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

Applications

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

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

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

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

Climate Ambassador Logo

About Recycle IT

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

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

Recycle IT Pakman Awards Finalist 2018

Reuse Month 2018 – 41 Tips

Reuse Month 2018

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

Reuse Month 2017 – Supported by Recycle IT

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

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

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

Reuse Books for Reuse Month 2018

Reuse Today

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

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

About Recycle IT

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

CSR Commended – Recycle IT

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