Author: JMCE

Ministerial visit to Recycle IT

On By JMCEIn Awards, Computer Recycling, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, News, Social EnterpriseLeave a comment

Monday, March 6th 2023

Minister for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, made a visit to Recycle IT on Monday, March 6th, 2023. Board members and the staff team were on hand to greet the minister and share details on the work of Recycle IT a social enterprise striving to create training and employment opportunities through the recycling of old, damaged, or unused electrical and electronic equipment collected from homes and organisations. 

Minister Joe O’Brien on arrival at Recycle IT

Announcement

During the visit to Recycle IT, Minister Joe O’Brien made time for an important announcement, the Minister said:

“I am delighted to launch a new Call for Applications under the Community Services Programme (CSP). The purpose of this funding is to support social enterprises and community/voluntary organisations with an additional strand focusing on circular economy projects that are either Traveller led or ones that will primarily employ members of the Traveller community.”

Funding of €1 million will be available for this new call in 2023 which will provide new organisations with an opportunity to access support to employ additional staff in line with the programme’s re-defined sub-programmes and new vision, which were approved in 2022.

Minister Joe O’Brien and Recycle IT Voluntary Board of Directors

Pre-application support workshops will be rolled out to ensure organisations are fully equipped with the information that they need to apply for this funding. As a first step, an Information Event will be held for organisations interested in applying for the programme on the week beginning 20 March 2023. Details will be shared on the Pobal CSP webpage and on the Department of Rural and Community Development social media channels. Organisations that wish to be notified about the workshops can also contact csp@pobal.ie

Following the pre-application support, organisations will be invited to submit a short concept note to Pobal outlining their proposal for assessment against the objectives of the call and organisations will then be informed whether their proposal fits with the call.

The Minister continued:

“The CSP supports a range of services, facilities and activities that enhance the quality of life for specific disadvantaged groups within our communities. This open call will be essential in broadening the range of services available and bringing new organisations onto the programme. I am delighted to say that we will also have a range of support workshops to assist those organisations in applying to the CSP Programme.”

Minister Joe O’Brien

About CSP

The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community-based organisations including Recycle IT to provide local services through a social enterprise model. This model helps create training and employment opportunities for specific disadvantaged groups and individuals, such as people with disabilities, Travellers, recovering drug misusers, ex-prisoners, and long-term unemployed.

About Recycle IT

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

During 2022 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to thousands of homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which included thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TVs, and computer screens.

Recycling services offered by Recycle IT are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by the Pobal-managed, Community Services Programme, Dormant Accounts and by South Dublin County Council. Recycling services are authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster.

For more information about Recycle IT please visit www.recycleit.ie or call 01 4578321.

The Recycler IT Team – Farewell to Minister Joe O’Brien

SoCircular – Innovation & Collaboration Event

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Social Economy and Circular Economy.

This event will focus on the social economy and circular economy. It’s for entrepreneurs, social enterprises, circular enterprises, support organisations, and small to medium-sized enterprises interested in sustainability and the circular economy.

It will highlight

  • the overarching context (Social and circular economy trends, policies, updates)
  • Examples of innovation and collaboration from social enterprises, circular economy enterprises and support organisations and
  • Resources and support can help social and circular enterprises innovate and collaborate.

Event programme: 

  • Registration, Refreshments & Networking (Food/drinks from the Green Kitchen & Stillgarden Distillery 
  • Introduction, MC’s Dr Joanne Rourke, Eastern Midlands Waste Region & Mary MacSweeney Dublin City Council
  • Fireside Chat – SoCircular Context: Claire Downey, Rediscovery Centre 
  • Panel Discussion – SoCircular with Innovation & Collaboration examples.

The panel members include:

Emma Kavanagh, Community Resource Network Ireland 

Jake Chaney, Stillgarden Distillery

Niall O’Brien, Grow Dome Project

Máirín Murray, Tech for Good Dublin

The event will also feature the launch of the Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards 2023, act as a lead-up event to Dublin Circular Economy Hotspot 2023 and take place as a Modos networking event.

The 2023 Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards will be launched with a presentation by Shane Meehan from Inner City Enterprise.

After the presentation, the audience will be joined by a panel of previous awardees to speak about their experience of receiving a Dublin City Social Enterprise Award in 2022! The panel members include:

Sinéad Ryan @LittleFitnessIE,

Ashling Golden@SolasProject

John McEntee@socialrecycleit

Book your place free @ Local Enterprise Week 23 and attend on the evening of March 9th

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 2022 Recycle IT offered to drop off and collection services to 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 Leinster.

For more information about Recycle IT please visit www.recycleit.ie or call 01 4578321.

Recycle IT – Dublin City Social Enterprise Award Winner 2022

Recycle small electrics now!

On By JMCEIn Awards, Computer Recycling, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Electronic Equipment, Family, News, We Recycle ITLeave a comment

Small Matters

In 2024, there was a 75% surge in small electrical device sales in Ireland, driven by vapes and solar panels, leading to 93 million household items sold, a massive increase from 2006. Despite this growth, 84% of Irish households reported hoarding an average of 15-20 unused electrical items, and one in eight people admitted to disposing of small items in general waste bins (Source: WEEE Ireland and ERP)

That is a lot of old unused phones which could be recycled for good and with the festive season around the corner there will be lot more old, damaged or unused small electrical items which can be recycled

Using and Replacing

As technology at home and in the office evolves, the speed at which people cease using their existing small electrical and electronic items and replace them with newer models happens with increased regularity. Days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday and gifting for Christmas increase exposure to new gadgets and drive consumers to purchase!

Small Mixed Electrical/Electronic Item – Recycle IT

What is Small?

Individuals young and old replace mobile phones, modems, toys, game consoles, chargers, virtual assistants (AI technology), smartwatches and fitness monitors without thinking too much about the older equipment. Did you know the average life of a smartphone and smartwatch is approx? 24 months.

There are reasons for a short life such as built-in obsolescence or the consumer’s perceived need or want for the newest product. Research by the German Environment Agency on the lifespan of consumer electronics can provide further information; just click here.

Small Household Electrical Items – Recycle IT

Before you dispose of old items please be aware many items contain valuable metals and plastics. With natural resources in limited supply, combined with ever-increasing waste disposal costs, it’s important that we safely recycle small electrical items so that they can be reused in new products.

Small Electrical Equipment List

Items like those listed above and below (if not fit for reuse) are usually shredded to reduce volume and are mechanically separated into their component parts (plastics, ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals). The materials collected will then be reused. For example, mixed-grade plastic can be used to make street and park furniture or multi-purpose decking. Any metals recovered are reused in the manufacture of many different types of new products including your new phone or tablet!

Small Electrical Equipment List (Continued)

What to do?

Recycle IT can help you recycle your small, old, unused or damaged electrical items including batteries of all types.  Pop your batteries in a small clear bag alongside items like kettles, toasters or small electric tools and they all will be safely recycled. Please don’t place them in the black, brown or green bin or leave them out for unauthorised collection.

Small Electrical Jukebox – Recycle IT

Recycle IT want to encourage all users of electrical items to recycle their unwanted, damaged, broken or outdated small electrical gadgets when recycling large items from their homes and offices. Clear out draws, shelves and bags used to store smaller items out of sight!

Recycle IT offer a community collection service, a business collection service and free drop-off to communities across Dublin and would like to see an increase in the amount of small electrical items received for safe recycling. If this does not work for you, simply place it in an envelope or small box and post it to us!

Please don’t horde items in the hope of future repair for reuse. Please do get items repaired quickly and if not please recycle!

For full lists of items that can be recycled by Recycle IT click here. (PFD files can be viewed or downloaded)

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 2022 Recycle IT offered to drop off and collection services to 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 Leinster.

For more information about Recycle IT please visit www.recycleit.ie or call 01 4578321.

Recycle IT – Dublin City Social Enterprise Award Winner 2022

Recycling Power Tools, DIY and Gardening Equipment

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Making Life Easier

Power tools are used in offices and warehouses, in construction, in the garden, and for household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and around the home for purposes of drilling, cutting, shaping, sanding, grinding, polishing, painting, heating and lots more. They really help to make maintenance work and DIY that bit easier.

Power Tool – Battery Operated Drill

Do you know how long the average home power drill gets used over its lifetime? Some say 20 – 30 minutes. It is hard to know exactly but many home DIY jobs or gardening projects only need power tools or gardening equipment once a year. Many go out of date, get damaged or are hidden away and forgotten about.

Tools and Power Tool Recycling

As a team we get emails and calls with the question; can metal tools, drills, sanders, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, brush cutters, electric saws and more be recycled? We are delighted to say yes. If it has a plug, battery, or cable or is pure metal it can be recycled and remanufactured into helpful equipment used in cars, kitchens, hospitals, and homes. They even end up as new tools.

Old Power Tool, Screw Driver and Screws

If you can get your damaged power tools repaired, that is great. If you can’t please find your nearest recycling point, or simply visit Recycle IT for drop-off or to arrange a collection.

Recycle IT provide recycling solutions for an estimated 350 – 400 different small appliances, power tools and personal tech used around the home and garden including all types of power tools.

You can easily recycle old or damaged electric saws, power sanders, hedge cutters leaf blowers’ strimmers, power hoses, drills sewing machines, extension cables and a lot more with a drop-off or collection.

Power Leads / Cables

Loan Scheme

In the future, you might consider borrowing rather than buying? Check out hiring, lending, and borrowing electric tools online or through a local neighbourhood scheme.  For example, have a look at the Belfast Tool Library for inspiration. The inspiration may lead to local groups setting up a tool loan scheme locally.

There have been several tools sharing schemes started up in Ireland over the years, but they have ceased operation. Some with the onset of COVID. We are on the lookout for others and will update the blog post when we find a new tool-sharing scheme.

Lawner Mower for Recycling

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 is supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster.

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

Click here to learn more about recycling metal with Recycle IT.

Power Tools

Dublin Social Enterprise Policy Consultation

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

What is a Social Enterprise

A Social Enterprise is an enterprise whose objective is to achieve a social, societal or environmental impact, rather than maximising profit for its owners or shareholders. It pursues its objectives by trading on an ongoing basis through the provision of goods and/or services, and by reinvesting surpluses into achieving social objectives. It is governed in a fully accountable and transparent manner and is independent of the public sector. If dissolved, it should transfer its assets to another organisation with a similar mission.

Mugshot – An award-winning Social Enterprise

The Work of Social Enterprise

Recently Minister Humphreys praised the role that Social Enterprises play in their community, particularly amid recent challenges such as the Pandemic and Ukrainian crisis.

The Minister continued: “The Social Enterprise sector is growing, and is playing an increasingly important role in supporting our transition to a social and circular economy. But we have a duty to maintain that positive momentum. We need to be ambitious about the future of this sector, which continues to experience growth and has significant potential to create jobs, and to continue to make a positive impact on society, the economy and the environment.”

Our Next Social Enterprise National Policy.

On January 31st 2023, The Wheel is hosting a Dublin-based in-person public consultation at the Guinness Enterprise Centre from 9.30am to 2pm. The information gathered from stakeholders at this consultation will then be used to inform Ireland’s next Social Enterprise National Policy.

Organised on behalf of the Department of Rural & Community Development, this consultation will allow those engaged in the space to give their thoughts on key areas, barriers to development and the current status of social enterprise in a collaborative setting.

The session will primarily focus on challenges facing social enterprises and, also, on potential opportunities over the coming years. So, bring your expertise and innovative ideas to build a policy that adequately supports the continued growth and development of social enterprise in Ireland.

Recycle IT – An award-winning Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise Policy Consultation

The event takes place on Tuesday, 31 January 2023 from 09:30 to 14:00 (GMT) at:

Guinness Enterprise Centre
Taylor’s Lane
Dublin 8
Ireland

Refreshments will be provided on the day along with a light networking lunch upon the conclusion of the consultation. We hope to see you there!

If you have any queries about the event, please don’t hesitate to contact, The Wheetl via email @ sean@wheel.ie

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 with permit detail available here.

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

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT Logo