Computer Usage and Recycling

Ever Increasing Computer Usage:

The growing use of computers is driven by their ability to make OUR daily life faster, easier, and more connected. Computers have moved from once specialized, massive machines to everyday, portable tools—such as smartphones, laptops, and wearables—that act as personal assistants, entertainment hubs, and communication devices

At Recycle IT

Every day is recycling day at Recycle IT, a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Dublin. We are passionate about protecting the environment, creating local jobs, and helping communities through the reuse and recycling of computers and IT equipment.

The Growing Problem of E-Waste

Old Computers for Collection and Safe Recycling

Old PCs, laptops, tablets and phones are building up in homes and offices across Ireland. While technology keeps improving, unused devices are often left in drawers or storage.

Recent data from the Central Statistics Office (2024) shows:

  • 70% of people still have their old mobile phone at home
  • 58% still have an old laptop or tablet
  • 26% still store an old desktop computer

Globally, e-waste remains a serious issue. According to the United Nations, tens of millions of tonnes of electronic waste are generated each year, and a significant portion is not properly recycled.

Computers and other electronics contain harmful materials such as lead and mercury. If not handled correctly, these can damage the environment and human health. That’s why devices should always be recycled through an authorised recycler like Recycle IT.

Old Computers for Safe Recycling

Why Recycle Your Old Computer?

🌍 Protect the Environment

Recycling prevents hazardous materials from entering soil and water. It also reduces the need to mine raw materials like copper, aluminium and iron.

♻️ Recover Valuable Materials

Up to 90% of computer components can be reused or recycled. Metals and parts from circuit boards can be recovered and used again in new electronics.

💼 Support Local Jobs

Recycling is labor-intensive and creates meaningful employment. By choosing Recycle IT, you support local green jobs and social enterprise in Dublin.

♻️ Achieve Recycling Target

Recycling IT equipment supports Ireland’s WEEE targets by increasing collection rates, reducing landfill, recovering materials, and promoting responsible recycling for reuse nationwide.

Recycle IT – Secure Recycling

Technology changes quickly. New models appear every 12–18 months, but that doesn’t mean Recylce IT have items which can be reused. The majority of computers collected or dropped off to Recycle IT are over five plus years old, they have been reused, are missing parts like batteries and changers or are damaged so,

  • Data-bearing devices are securely managed
  • Non-reusable items are responsibly dismantled for material recovery
  • Components are seperate for reuse and safe recycling

Instead of storing old electronics at home or in the office, choose a solution that benefits both the planet and people.

Old Computers for Safe Recycling

How to Recycle in Dublin

You can:

  • Drop off equipment free of charge
  • Arrange a free community collection (when operating in your area)
  • Book a cost-effective home or business collection

By recycling with Recycle IT, you are supporting a circular economy, protecting the environment, and helping create opportunities in your local community.

📞 Call 01 4578321
📧 Email the team to learn more

Let’s work together to turn old computers into new opportunities. ♻️

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise in Dublin providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recycle IT offers collection services to homes and organisations across Dublin and surrounding areas each year collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, televisions and much more. If your a school, college, charity or community group based in Dublin or a surrounding area we invite you to contact us about our FREE colleciton service.

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

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

Recycle IT 2025 – Circular and Social Enterprise Awards

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Electrical Appliance Recycling – Drop free!

Disposing of Old Electrical Appliances

Recycling home appliances helps protect the environment, saves energy, reduces waste, and conserves valuable materials. It’s a smart, eco-friendly choice for everyone. Recent statistics show consumers recycled a record-breaking 41,730 tonnes of electronic and electrical waste in 2023 – the equivalent of almost 200 forty-foot containers more than the previous year, new figures reveal.

Electrical and Electronic Equipment or Parts using in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Tons of Electrical and Electronic Waste

Over 15 million small appliances such as coffee makers, calculators, kettles and keyboards, along with the equivalent of 66 million used AA batteries were also handed back for safe recycling to make their way into the circular economy.

Members of the public may dispose of all their old household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)  free of charge at Recycle IT in Clondalkin, Co Dublin.

40 Foot Collection Trailer

Recycle IT are happy to say we have worked in partnership with WEEE Ireland for 20 year to help recycle appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, hobs, televisions, computers, laptops, tablets, cables, toasters, kettles, heaters, clocks, lights, lamps and lots more! You will find helpful lists here.

How it Works

WEEE Ireland supports Recycle IT  in the collection and recycling of old damaged or unused electrical items. This service is part-financed by the payment of tariffs from the producers who originally put the WEEE into the marketplace. Recycling opportunities are available free to resident groups through a door to door collection services. Up to 500 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!

Recycle ITWhat 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.

Mixed Domestic Appliances

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 the retailer there may be a delivery charge.

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, which 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 on 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 services have been operated by Recycle IT since 2002. Our teams work with householders, charities, schools, colleges, businesses, government, non-government and community-based organizations in Dublin and the surrounding counties of Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT 2019 TV
Recycle IT / Recycle TV’s

Recycle IT offer Residents Association door-to-door collections, personal collections and business recycling collections. Recycling services are offered to homes and organisations to help 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.

IMG_20160422_140933
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 types of items are accepted free by (Residents’ associations and organisations).

For full/downloadable lists of all items recycled please click here

To learn more call 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie 

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

Learn more about free recycling for school and colleges 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 with WEEE collection regulations. Our permit details are available here.

Recycle IT Social Enterprise Award 2025

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Dublin On-Street Waste Compactors

Something New!

Dublin City Council has introduced new waste compactors on Fownes Street Upper and St Stephen’s Green to help keep our city cleaner and remove rubbish bags from pavements.

These easy-to-use compactors can hold much more waste than regular bin bags, helping to keep streets clean, tidy, and free from litter. They compress loose garbage into dense, uniform blocks, often the size of a small caravan. By replacing plastic rubbish bags left on pavements, the compressor help prevent bags being ripped open by birds or animals and reduce illegal dumping.

‘No More Rubbish Excuses’ campaign by Dublin City Council

Reason!

The compactors are designed for busy city streets and are part of Dublin City Council’s plan to create a cleaner, safer, and more attractive city for everyone.

Residents and businesses in the pilot area are now asked to use these compactors or arrange suitable collection options with their waste provider instead of leaving bags on the street.

The new system will help remove up to 1,000 plastic bags from Dublin streets every day, creating cleaner, safer, and more attractive public spaces for everyone.

Waste Compactor Onsite

No More Rubbish

The compactors are easy to use and are part of Dublin City Council’s wider “No More Rubbish Excuses” campaign to reduce litter and improve waste management across the city.

Please remember:

  • Do not leave rubbish bags on pavements
  • Use the new compactors responsibly
  • Do not place electrical items or batteries in the compactors
  • Help keep the area outside your home or business clean

By working together, we can create a cleaner, greener Dublin for residents, businesses, and visitors alike so please use the compactors responsibly and help keep Dublin clean.

Waste compactor at Fownes Street Upper D2

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not-for-profit social enterprise providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Yearly Recycle IT collect from thousands of organizations in Dublin and surrounding areas. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland, with support from South Dublin County Council, South Dublin Country Partnership, Pobal and the Irish Government.

Recycle IT is authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities in the Eastern Midlands Waste Region.

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

Recycle IT Social Enterprise Award 2025

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Reduce and Reuse Tips for the Workplace – Sustainable Practices

Reduce and Reuse means Change

Reducing and reusing materials in workplaces like, schools, colleges, shops, offices and warehouses is one of the simplest ways to cut costs, reduce waste, and run a more sustainable operation. Small changes, done consistently, can make a real difference across your daily, repeatable, step-by-step routines you follow to get your work done, from start to finish. Think about how to include reuse and recycling into daily routines.

Recycling and reusing at work shows both staff and customers that your organisation takes responsibility for its impact. It signals that sustainability isn’t just a policy—it’s part of everyday decisions.

Source: Born Again Pallets – www.bornagainpallets.com

When you encourage a culture of awareness, teamwork, and pride in doing things properly, colleagues are more likely to follow good reduce, reuse and recycling practices. Once supported and normalized in the workplace, reuse and recycling efforts will take hold, continue and extend into home life!

For customers, it builds trust. It shows your business is forward-thinking, responsible, and committed to reducing waste—not just talking about it.

Overall, visible recycling and reuse demonstrate leadership, accountability, and a genuine commitment to sustainability.

Reusable Cable Tie – www.besbet.co.uk

21 practical reuse tips

  1. Reuse sturdy boxes for internal shipments and storage.
  2. Turn used pallets into shelving or workbenches.
  3. Refill and reuse printer cartridges where possible.
  4. Use both sides of paper before recycling.
  5. Repurpose old folders for internal documents.
  6. Store small parts in cleaned, reused containers.
  7. Reuse bubble wrap and packing materials.
  8. Turn damaged pallets into repair parts.
  9. Share surplus supplies between departments.
  10. Reuse cable ties and fasteners when safe.
  11. With permission use scrap wood for projects at home.
  12. Reassign older equipment to less demanding tasks.
  13. Use refillable water bottles and dispensers.
  14. Repurpose jars or tins for tool storage.
  15. Reuse envelopes for internal mail.
  16. Set up a reuse station for shared materials.
  17. Repair items before replacing them.
  18. Donate usable surplus equipment.
  19. Reuse signage by updating inserts instead of replacing frames.
  20. Use washable cloths instead of disposable wipes.
  21. Encourage staff to suggest new reuse ideas.
Try Green Bubble: Sustainable Packaging Solutions – www.green-bubble.ie

Change Mindset

Building a reuse mindset doesn’t require major investment—just awareness and consistency. Over time, these habits reduce waste, save money, and create a more efficient and environmentally responsible workplace for everyone involved in daily operations.

Consistent reuse is important. When every team member follows the agreed small actions daily, waste is reduced, costs are saved, and the workplace becomes more efficient and environmentally responsible over time while encouraging stronger environmental awareness and teamwork.

For example, Recycle IT are well aware that recycling metal is crucial for sustainability, as it allows materials like aluminum and steel to be reprocessed indefinitely without losing quality. By collecting and sending metal for melting and purifying, we cut CO2 emissions and save significant energy compared to mining virgin ore. It reduces landfill waste, protects resources, and supports a cleaner, more sustainable future for businesses and local communities alike.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not-for-profit social enterprise providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Yearly Recycle IT collect from thousands of organizations in Dublin and surrounding areas. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland, with support from South Dublin County Council, South Dublin Country Partnership, Pobal and the Irish Government.

Recycle IT is authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities in the Eastern Midlands Waste Region.

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

Recycle IT – Award Winner

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Authorised and Eco-Friendly Recycling for Schools and Colleges

Recycling Benefits

Educational institutions in Dublin and surrounding areas now have the opportunity to safely recycle outdated electrical, electronic, and metal equipment. Our initiative provides a secure and responsible way to declutter facilities while creating valuable space for educational purposes.”

Authorised Electrical and Electronic Recyclng for Schools

“It is important for schoolchildren, teenagers and adults to witness electronic recycling, as it helps them understand the value of protecting the environment by reducing electronic waste. Recycling also educates all age groups on conserving resources, preventing pollution, and taking responsibility for the proper disposal of old electronics—contributing to a healthier planet for everyone. This may be the perfect time to involve your students in some positive recycling activities.”

Reducing old electronics keeps harmful materials out of landfills, protecting the environment. When handled by authorised professionals, these materials are safely dismantled and processed using eco-friendly methods.

Mixed IT Equipment form Dublin School

Free Collection Service

Our 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 unused 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 landfills 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 

Our team can offer a cost-effective collection to a school further away. The fee charged covers operational costs related to the collection.

Our learning sector collection service is organised as part of our free community collection service. Recycle IT 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, our teams have worked with hundreds of schools, colleges, and youth training organisations all over Dublin to achieve an overall increase in electrical equipment collected for recycling with a similar trend in 2025.

We are delighted to be in a position to help your staff, students and organisation safely recycle all types of electrical, electronic and pure metal equipment so do email us. Recycling with us directly creates real training opportunities and maintains employment levels within our social enterprise.

Register an interest

Schools, colleges, and trainers of all types in Dublin and the surrounding area are welcome to register an interest: Simply complete a registration form by clicking here or call our team on 01 4578321 Monday – Friday. Once you call or email we can help you plan and schedule your e-waste collection which will help:

School Electronics for Recycling
  • Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators.
  • Conserves natural resources such as water and minerals.
  • Increases economic well-being and creates local training and employment opportunities.
  • Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials.
  • Saves energy.
School Collections Supported by WEEE Ireland

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 with WEEE Recycling Requirements and permit details are available here.

For more information about Recycle IT please click here.

Mixed Metal Equipment

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Top 10 + Office Recycling Tips for a Greener Workplace

Green Office – Home Office – Any Office:

Summer is coming, it’s brighter so may be it’s time to declutter and tidy? With that in mind, please find some recycling tips to stay eco-friendly at work this spring and year round!

As we know, office waste mainly consists of electrical, electronic, cardboard, paper, packaging and food waste, all of which can be reused, recycled or composted. The one type of waste which is most commonly hoarded for disposal later is old, unused or damaged electrical/electronic equipment.

Office Waste Separation

Some items just appear event! They might include glass or plastic bottles, cans plastic cups, coffee cups, and food trays and wrappers to name a few. These items can all be segregated and recycled in the office or you could encourage staff and suppliers to use reusable items which can be collected and reuse. Disposal items arrival and leave quickly, it’s just to make sure they are recycled for good.

The benefits of introducing a program of reducing, reusing and recycling include;

  • Big euro savings in time on waste disposal costs.
  • Boost to staff morale with a focus on reducing, reuse and recycling.
  • Demonstrates the organisation is commitment to the environment.
  • Enhanced public perception of your organization as a green organization.
  • Promotes a green agenda with your trading partners.
  • Offer time and cost saving opportunities to staff.  
  • Relieves office anxiety – when offices are organised, clean and tidy, anxiety is reduced.
Office Electrons Clear Out – Old Laptop Parts

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

Tips on How to Reduce Office Waste

  1. Buy office supplies in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
  2. Create a clear recycling station with labelled bins for paper, plastic, ink, and electronics.
  3. Your office should be encouraged to go paperless.
  4. Use digital signatures to avoid printing documents for signing.
  5. Only print if there is a real need for a hard copy.
  6. Meeting clients or colleagues online to save resources. It’s the norm now!
  7. Use e-mail or instant messages to save paper, time and money.
  8. Share team and event calendars.
  9. Draft documents can be reviewed on-screen before emailing.
  10. Reports and presentation should be electronic only
  11. If paper is required, use FSC–certified paper
  12. Research purchasing printers which print double-sided copies only.
  13. Photocopy and print double-sided.
  14. Scrap paper can be used to make note pads to take phone messages.
  15. Introduce a centralized office filing system. This reduces multiple files,
  16. Enable the reuse of paper envelopes by putting a label on top of the old address.
  17.  Cut down on excess equipment sitting in the store, going out of date, e.g. electrical and electronic office equipment.
  18. Regularly service office equipment, particularly computers, photocopiers, and printers, to prolong their lifespan.
  19. When equipment reaches its end of life use a registered and licensed electrical and electronic recycler to ensure equipment is safely made ready for reuse and recycling.
  20. Employees should regularly empty out their desk and return any unwanted office supplies to the stationery cupboard.
  21. Free or fee-based online newspaper subscription can reduce the amount of paper to be recycled.
  22. Cancel any unwanted magazine or newspaper subscriptions to avoid unwanted waste accumulating.
  23. Reuse binders and file folders.
  24. Office announcements can be posted online, sent via email or posted once in a centralized monitor or TV screen.
  25. Consider renting office equipment that you use only occasionally rather than having to store it in the workplace.
  26. Encourage colleagues to bring lunch to work in reusable containers.
  27. Encourage management to have reusable silverware, plates and cups and a small coffee station in the office.
  28. Research and purchase products with less packaging or with no packaging at all.
  29. Install filtered water rather than a water cooler.
  30. Give your team a reusable water bottle.
  31. Offer secure bike parking.
  32. Source used office desks, chairs and lockers (if required).
  33. Unplug office equipment when not in use or overnight.
  34. Work from home when possible.
  35. Offer unused or surplus items to other organisation for reuse.
  36. Think about how you can have a green office party or events during the year.
  37. Set printers to default to black-and-white to reduce ink usage.
  38. Use refillable ink cartridges instead of single-use ones.
  39. Switch to energy-efficient LED lighting in the office.
  40. Encourage staff to use reusable coffee cups instead of disposable ones.
  41. Choose rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.
  42. Donate or sell old office furniture instead of throwing it away.
  43. Track office waste and set reduction goals to encourage improvement.
General Office Recycling – Recycle IT 

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 2023 Recycle IT operated drop off and collection services to 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 the 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 Leinster.

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 Approved and Verified

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Challenges in Ireland’s Circular Economy and Waste System

Overview

You will find some highlights below taken from The Irish EPA Circular Economy Programme – The Driving Force for Ireland’s Move to a Circular Economy published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland in December 2024. The EPA is responsible for compiling national statistics on circular economy activities and the generation and management of waste in
the Republic of Ireland.

Did you know?

Ireland is generating excessive waste, reaching a total of 15.7 million tonnes in 2022. Addressing this requires system-wide change to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Stronger regulation, incentives, and enforcement are needed to encourage industry, businesses, and consumers to adopt more sustainable production and consumption practices.

Circular Economy and Waste Statistics Highlight Report

Ireland’s circular economy and waste system is underperforming. Progress in reuse and recycling has stalled, municipal recycling targets are likely to be missed, and a consistent three-bin system has yet to be fully implemented. The country remains largely dependent on a linear economy, with persistently high levels of waste generation.

Packaging waste makes up about one-third of kerbside waste from households and businesses. Since 2016, it has increased by over 20%, while recycling rates have declined by 7%. As a result, there is a significant risk that Ireland will fail to meet recycling targets for both general packaging and plastic packaging waste.

Click to Enlarge – Circular Economy and Waste Data Highlights

The construction sector is another major contributor, generating over 8 million tonnes of waste and accounting for around half of domestic natural resource extraction in 2022. Moving toward a circular economy in the built environment will require prioritizing renovations and retrofits, designing buildings and urban spaces with lower carbon materials, and increasing the reuse of construction resources.

Waste treatment capacity in Ireland is also vulnerable due to heavy reliance on other countries. In 2022, over 1.2 million tonnes of municipal waste were exported, alongside substantial portions of hazardous and municipal waste overall, highlighting the country’s dependence on external processing.

Click to Enlarge – Waste Treatment and E
xports

The EPA collects circular economy and waste data from a wide range of sources, including waste operators, collectors, and treatment facilities, as well as local authorities and EPA-licensed facilities.

The full report summarizes all of the EPA’s circular economy and waste statistics data releases published in 2024, covering the 2022 reporting year. For more detailed insights into individual waste streams and the most up-to-date data for Ireland, refer to the Circular Economy and Waste Statistics resources here.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not-for-profit social enterprise providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Yearly Recycle IT collect from thousands of organizations in Dublin and surrounding areas. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland, with support from South Dublin County Council, South Dublin Country Partnership, Pobal and the Irish Government.

Recycle IT is authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities in the Eastern Midlands Waste Region.

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

Recycle IT – Award Winner

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Free Community Electrical & Metal Recycling

Recycling for Community/Charity Organisations:

One of the ongoing challenges for managers in the community, charity, and voluntary sectors is how to effectively manage space while safely removing and recycling surplus or redundant equipment, including metal, electrical, and electronic items.

These items can range from everyday objects like kitchen appliances, lamps, light bulbs, and batteries to office and IT equipment such as computers, monitors, cables, keyboards, photocopiers, servers, chargers, and even metal cabinets or storage racking. The list is really endless and once it builds up it takes up resources.

Mixed IT Equipment for Recycling

Recycling is crucial to our world today and taking small steps can have significant benefits for the environment. By taking a lead you can ensure recycling becomes a natural and important part of your organization’s life.

Finding a Solution 

Organizations sometimes need to find a recycling service which, can offer a safe, timely and environmentally friendly recycling solution.

Recycle IT offer this service and collection is free to charities and community groups. Over the last year, we have worked with hundreds of schools, training, community, parish and not-for-profit organizations across Dublin and surrounding areas to collect and recycle tonnes of equipment. This service is central to the values and culture of our organization and our staff team is delighted to support it.

Items for Recycling

Our Work

With more than 20 years of experience and conveniently located just off the M50, Recycle IT offers an easy way to responsibly recycle dual-purpose electrical equipment from both homes and small offices. You can drop items off while you’re passing by, or arrange a licensed collection for added convenience.

Many items are accepted free of charge. However, certain commercial equipment—such as photocopiers, networked printers, display fridges, or larger electrical and metal production equipment—may be subject to a recycling fee. For more details, feel free to call us or send a photo of your items, and we’ll get back to you promptly.

Free Collection Service

Our experienced teams provide a friendly and professional recycling service to charities and civil society organisations in Dublin and surrounding areas and we collect directly from a clear, accessible area in your building and ensure the safe recycling of your items. For charity organisations outside collection areas, we are happy to accept drop-offs. Just give us a call in advance.

Watch our Video

Many items collected are broken down into their component parts for processing into new raw materials. Our team can provide affordable physical destruction of hard disk drives and breakdown of other IT equipment upon request.

Our team will also collect items from staff or volunteers as part of any charity collection so please encourage your team to bring along old or damaged electrical items from home!

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

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not-for-profit social enterprise providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Yearly Recycle IT collect from thousands of organizations in Dublin and surrounding areas. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland, with support from South Dublin County Council, South Dublin Country Partnership, Pobal and the Irish Government.

Recycle IT is authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities in the Eastern Midlands Waste Region.

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

Recycle IT – Award Winner

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Recycle Metals Now!

Every Day Life:

Metal is part of almost everything we use every day. It is in our food cans, kitchen tools, electronics, cars, bikes, scooters, gardening tools, and buildings. When these items reach the end of their life, the metal inside them is still valuable. Instead of throwing it away, we can recycle it and use it again. Metal is one of the most useful materials to recycle, and doing so makes a real difference for the environment and the economy.

One of the most important things to know is that metal can be recycled again and again without losing its quality. This means it does not weaken or wear out during the recycling process. Materials like aluminium and steel can be melted down and turned into new products over and over. Because of this, metal is one of the most sustainable materials we have.

Office Metal / Storage Metal – Recycle IT

Facts

Recycling metal also saves a huge amount of energy. For example, recycling aluminium uses up to 95% less energy than making it from raw materials. Steel recycling can save around 60–70% of the energy compared to producing new steel. These energy savings help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major cause of climate change. Using recycled metal also means we need less mining, which protects natural landscapes and reduces pollution.

There are many types of metal we can recycle at home and in our communities. Common items include aluminium cans, steel food cans, foil wrap and foil trays (if clean) can all be placed in the Green Bin.

Larger items such as washing machines, ovens, bicycles, and even furniture like metal table legs or office chairs can also be recycled. Electrical items often contain valuable metals like copper, aluminium, and steel, so they should always be taken to proper recycling centres.

Metal for Reuse

Some facts help show just how powerful metal recycling can be. Recycling one aluminium can saves enough energy to power a television for a few hours. Steel is one of the most recycled materials globally, with high recycling rates in many countries. Aluminium is also widely recycled and can return to shop shelves as a new can in as little as 60 days.

  • The metal recycling industry in the European Union offers 310,000 green, local, and non-outsourceable jobs across all Member States. Source: European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC). 
  • Ireland achieved a 58% recycling rate for metal packaging in 2021.
  • According to 2023 data, approximately 357,947 tonnes of metal were recycled, largely related to construction and demolition activity.
  • You can identify metal types using a magnet; steel is magnetic, while aluminum is not.
  • Roughly 40% of the world’s copper demand is met using recycled material.
  • Recycling steel reduces related CO2 emissions by 58% compared to primary production.
  • A single computer contains around 1.5 kg of copper, making electronics recycling highly valuable.
  • The automotive industry is the largest consumer of recycled scrap metal.
  • 91% of metals from end-of-life vehicles were recycled.
Mixed Metals for Recycling

Best Use

You can learn to identify metals at home. A simple magnet test works well—steel is magnetic, while aluminium is not. This can be a fun and educational activity for children, helping them understand recycling in a hands-on way. Knowing what materials you have makes it easier to sort and recycle correctly.

It is important to remember that metal is a limited resource. Metals come from ores in the ground, and mining them takes time, energy, and effort. By recycling, we make better use of what we already have instead of constantly taking more from the earth. This helps protect natural resources for future generations.

Another benefit of metal recycling is reducing landfill waste. Metal items that end up in landfill can take a very long time to break down. By recycling them instead, we reduce the pressure on landfill sites and prevent harmful substances from affecting soil and water. Clean recycling habits can make a big difference in keeping our environment safe.

Metal for Recycling

Change

Remember, there are simple changes we can make to improve how we use metal. For example, choosing reusable containers instead of disposable foil trays can reduce waste. When metal items do break or wear out, we should always think about recycling them instead of throwing them away. Many recycling centres accept a wide range of metal items, and some even offer collection services for larger appliances.

Working together as a community can make metal recycling even more effective. Families, schools, and workplaces can all play a role by collecting and sorting metal waste properly. Small actions, when done by many people, add up to a big impact.

In summary, metal is too valuable to waste. It can be recycled endlessly, saves large amounts of energy, reduces pollution, and supports jobs. By recycling metal items—from small cans to large appliances—we help protect the environment and make better use of our resources. Next time you are about to throw away something made of metal, stop and think: can it be recycled instead?

About

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 Recycling with permit details available here.

Metal for Recycling

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Generating Electronic Waste!

The Statistics:

Statista reported in 2025, that every person in the world generates on average around 8 kilograms of electronic waste per year worldwide. However, there are significant regional differences, data from the latest E-Waste Monitor shows: Europe leads the way with around 17 kilograms of electronic waste per inhabitant, while each person in Africa generates only 2.5 kilograms.

At the same time, Europe has the highest recycling rate at 43 per cent. Asia and Africa have the most catching up to do, with e-waste recycling rates of 12 and 1 per cent respectively.

Only just under a fifth of the electronic waste generated worldwide is currently officially collected and recycled. The remaining quantities of electronic waste were collected unofficially, partially recycled or disposed of as residual waste and sent to landfill.

Statista E-waste Statistics shared by Recycle IT
Statista E-Waste Generated

This gap between official and unofficial collection and recycling statistics varies greatly between different regions.

Recycle Safely

If you want or need an official collection of waste IT equipment and your located in Dublin, Ireland, Recycle IT can help. Our team can accept all types of IT equipment from homes, businesses, schools, public bodies, charities and community groups, all for safe and authorised recycling.

This includes old computers, laptops, printers, monitors, phones, cables, chargers and other electronic devices. Instead of throwing these items away, Recycle IT makes sure they are handled in a responsible way that protects the environment.

Many electronic devices contain harmful materials like lead and mercury. If these are not disposed of properly, they can damage soil and water. Recycle IT helps prevent this by using approved recycling methods. Their processes follow strict rules and standards to ensure safety and environmental care.

Mixed IT and Electronic Equipment for Recycling - Recylce IT
Mixed IT and Electronic Equipment for Recycling – Recylce IT

Manage Data

Another important benefit is data protection. Old devices often store personal or business information. Recycle IT ensures that all data is securely destroyed before recycling begins. This gives people peace of mind that their information will not be misused.

Recycle IT also helps reduce waste. By recycling materials like metal, plastic, and glass, fewer raw materials need to be taken from the earth. This saves energy and reduces pollution. It also supports a more sustainable future.

The service is simple and convenient. Individuals and businesses can drop off their equipment or arrange collection. Everything is handled professionally from start to finish.

Mixed IT and Electronic Equipment for Recycling - Recylce IT
Mixed IT and Electronic Equipment for Recycling – Recylce IT

In Summary

Recycle IT provides a safe, authorised, and environmentally friendly way to dispose of IT equipment. It protects both people and the planet while making recycling easy for everyone. Click here to see lists and PDF files of what can be recycled safely.

Our community recycling activities help to provide jobs and training through safe e-waste recycling. People learn useful skills, build experiences, work in teams all while protecting the environment. Our team work supports communities across Dublin and surrounding areas, while helping colleagues to grow and develop.

About

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 Recycling with permit details available here.

Recycle IT Logo
Recycle IT Logo

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