Reduce, Reuse and Recycle this Year

In 2016, each person living in Ireland produced, on average, 580 kg of municipal waste. This is well above the European average of 487 kg, and this type of waste is particularly difficult to recycle. This type of waste is made up of all the bits and pieces we throw out as we go through our daily lives, municipal waste is a mix of very different types of materials. To make recycling possible, the different materials need to be must be segregated at home or by the waste collection company into recyclable single material streams – Source EPA.

Endless Waste

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

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

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

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

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

Further steps include;

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

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

18 Everyday Tips include; 

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

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

About Recycle IT

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

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

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

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie