About

“Take a Minute, Before You Bin It” is a thoughtful campaign launched by My Waste Ireland. Its message is simple but powerful: pause before you throw something away and consider if it could be recycled, reused, or composted. This campaign is part of Ireland’s ongoing effort to reduce waste and protect the environment. By encouraging everyone to think about their waste, the campaign hopes to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, conserve resources, and cut down on pollution. You can even play an online game to help! More below.

Reasons

One of the biggest reasons for this campaign is the serious waste problem facing Ireland and many other EU countries. Each year, tons of waste end up incinerated, in landfills, polluting soil and water. A lot of this waste could have been recycled or composted instead. When waste ends up in landfills, it doesn’t disappear; it often remains in the environment for years, even centuries. This is especially true for plastic waste, which doesn’t break down naturally and instead can turn into microplastics, harming animals and ecosystems.

The “Take a Minute, Before You Bin It” campaign encourages us to think carefully about each item before throwing it away. For example, can the item be recycled? Many everyday items like plastic bottles, paper, electrical equipment and cans can be recycled instead of going to the trash. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials, which helps conserve resources like water, energy, and minerals. It’s a simple habit that makes a big difference.

Composting is another excellent option for reducing waste, especially for organic items like food scraps and yard clippings. Instead of throwing these into the trash where they can produce methane (a harmful greenhouse gas) in landfills, composting turns them into nutrient-rich soil. This soil can be used to grow plants and vegetables, giving back to the environment and reducing pollution.

Reusing is also a key part of this campaign. Items like jars, bags, and even old clothing can often be used again instead of being thrown away. For example, a glass jar can be washed and used for storage, or an old shirt can become a cleaning rag. This helps reduce waste and is often cost-effective, as it reduces the need to buy new items.

Mindfulness

This campaign also focuses on creating a habit of mindfulness about waste. Many of us throw things away without thinking, but the “Take a Minute” approach helps us slow down and make thoughtful decisions. Over time, these small decisions can have a huge positive impact on the environment. When we think about our waste, we’re more likely to make better choices and take responsibility for reducing the waste we produce.

Communities and schools are a big part of the “Take a Minute, Before You Bin It” message. Teaching kids to be mindful about waste from a young age helps create a new generation that understands and cares about the environment. By having clear recycling bins, compost areas, and reusing stations in schools, children can learn these habits early and carry them into adulthood.

In Summary

“Take a Minute, Before You Bin It” is a simple, impactful campaign that encourages us to make better choices about our waste. By recycling, reusing, and composting, we can reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, conserve resources, and protect the planet. This one small action—taking a minute to think—has the power to create a cleaner, healthier future for everyone in Ireland and beyond.

Play the “Take a Minute, Before You Bin It” game here – Have some fun at home!

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 2023 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over ten of thousands of homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of electricals 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.