Recent Event

The COP26 summit is about climate change and how countries are planning to tackle it. COP26 is now taking place in Glasgow between 31st October and 12th November 2021 and any decisions made could lead to big changes to our everyday lives.

COP stands for Conference of the Parties, and will be attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – a treaty agreed in 1994.

Why do we need COP?

The world is getting warmer because of fossil fuel emissions caused by humans. Icecaps are melting and sea levels are rising. We are seeing more extreme weather events taking place around the world – including heatwaves, floods and forest fires, these naturally occurring events are being made worse because of the effects of climate change.

The past decade was the warmest on record, and governments around the world agree that urgent action is needed to help countries pollute less and take responsible actions toward managing climate change.

Ireland

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that action on climate change must match the rhetoric, as he appeared at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. The Taoiseach joined other world leaders at the climate conference in Scotland, where he took the opportunity to defend Ireland’s own record on climate action.

The Irish government is preparing to publish the Climate Action Plan, which will provide greater detail on how the country plans to drastically cut carbon emissions over the next decade.

Starting Here!

This is a good starting point for understanding more – An Irish government website focusing on climate jargon was developed in collaboration with a group of young people from Comhairle na nÓg. In simple terms, the website provides plain English explanations for common climate terms.

The website is designed to be of assistance to anyone looking to understand the language used in relation to climate change and climate action. 

The project was devised following feedback received from young people during 2020 about the complexity of the terminology associated with climate science and policy and how it creates barriers to participation and engagement.

The Project

With this feedback in mind, a subgroup of the Comhairle na nOg National Executive was established. This group of young people worked on the project over several months in 2020. They attended virtual meetings and workshops and provided continuous feedback on all aspects of the Project. 

They helped choose the terms that needed to be explained, helped make sure the explanations were understandable and inputted into the design of the website.

Department of the Taoiseach worked with Environmental Protection Agency, SEAI and Met Eireann to develop the explanations for each of the terms. In order to make the website a reality.

The interactive and accessible website went live in the first half of 2021 and enables users to search or browse terms in several ways. It also carries the National Adult Literacy Agency’s plain English mark in recognition of its use of plain language throughout. 

In launching the website, the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin thanked all involved in the development and said “Climate change is the biggest challenge facing our planet, but the language around it is complex and not easy to understand. This website is a practical and useful resource that will help people gain a greater understanding of climate action.”

Minister Roderic O’Gorman TD for Dublin West and spokesperson for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth said: “Young people have led the way on climate action, and I want to ensure that they continue to be centrally involved in our response to climate change. The project shows the value of collaborating with young people, and I hope it will be of use to everyone with an interest in protecting our environment.”

It is intended to update the website regularly to include additional and news terms related to Climate Change.

The website features include three ways in which terms can be searched:

• Entering term in search box
• Browsing by sector
• Download the full list in A-Z format.

The website also includes a short “Jargon Buster” quiz that asks readers to test their climate jargon knowledge.

You can visit the website www.climatejargonbuster.ie and please share the link with family, friends, at work and at school! Enjoy!

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 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

Breaking News – Tuesday July 27th 2021

The Social Enterprise Development Fund is a €3.2 million Fund being delivered from 2018 – 2022. The fund was created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with Local Authorities Ireland and funded by IPB Insurance and the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Dormant Accounts Fund.

Rethink Ireland today announced the 34 Awardees of their Social Enterprise Development Fund; 16 enterprises will receive cash grants and business support, and a further 18 projects have been awarded a place on the organization’s Genesis Programme.

Recycle IT are delighted to be announced as one of 34 recipients. To learn more and view the full list of organizations which have received funding and business supports please click here and please do share this good news in your network!

About

Rethink Ireland provides cash grants and business support to the social innovations who can make a real difference. Our task is to fuel these innovations with the knowledge and the advice they’ll need to succeed on a nationally impactful scale.

Rethink Ireland help open doors and give them access to the networks and connections who can help them spread their ideas throughout Ireland. We nurture communities of like-minded organizations who come together to share thoughts and approaches.

Impacts

Some of the groups Rethink Ireland has supported with cash grants and business guidance have gone on to make big impressions on the community with society-changing transformations. There are the more widely known social innovations like Food Cloud, Alone and GIY, then there are those quietly changing the lives of communities for better. The real life examples listed here will help paint a bigger picture!

Contact

Based in Galway, Cork and Dublin, the Rethink Ireland team are strategically located to hold events, seminars and Accelerator programmes to support social innovations across Ireland. You can click here to contact the team.

New rules to increase demand for repair!

New EU rules have been introduced that require manufacturers of electrical goods such as fridges and televisions to make their products repairable for at least 10 years after first coming to market.

The new rules are part of the EU’s efforts to cut the environmental footprint of manufactured goods and make them more repairable. These rules introduced on March 1 mean that all new washing machines, hairdryers, refrigerators and displays – including televisions – sold in EU countries must be repairable and spare part used in repair will be made available for up to 10 years.

Steps in Ireland

In a further step to increase repair and reuse in Ireland, FIT, a non-profit training organization, WEEE Ireland, and the White Goods Association have come together to create a curriculum and formal career pathway for field service technicians. This new training course aims to attract new entrants and create a steady supply of trained technicians to address a growing want for maintenance, repair and reuse of white goods as opposed to disposal.

Training

The project will be run by FIT with the support of Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) in a new training centre in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. Participants will complete a 36-week training programme which incorporates an extensive work placement. White Goods Association members have agreed to support the 12-week work experience component of the course.

This circular economy skills initiative opens up a new and exciting career for women and men who have an interest in prolonging the life-cycle of our white goods in the interest of sustainability, reduced waste and enhance environmental wellbeing. 

The aim of prolonging the life-cycle of our white goods used daily in home across Ireland is very worthwhile and one people should think about for considering the purchase of a new washing machine, tumble dryer machine or dishwasher. The course aims to increase the number of service technicians available in the repair market which offers more choice for people interested.

This initiative is supported by a grant from the CIRCULÉIRE Innovation fund. CIRCULÉIRE is Ireland’s first industry-led innovation network dedicated to accelerating the circular economy.

To learn more and register an interest in the training course click here

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 2020 Recycle IT operated a curtailed 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 batteries, computers, cables, monitors, kettles.  microwaves and screens. We are open again in 2021 working within the COVID 19 guidelines.

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