Making a festive difference.

More than any other time off the year, the festive season offers a chance for caring, sharing, giving and receiving. Family and friends embrace traditions come to together to celebrate before during and after December 25th.

It’s also important to remember our environment over the festive season especially with Ireland expected to generate 83,000 tonnes of packaging waste over Christmas. We all have a responsibility to keep the environment safe so everyone has a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of crisp fresh winter days and the natural landscape which is sleeping over winter in preparation for spring.

Weather you’re at home or out and about over Christmas and New Year try to remember the eco-friendly motto of reduce, reuse and recycle. If we all do a little to reduce waste it will really mean a lot! 

With the weeks slipping by we have assembled 20 festive tips which will help the environment and maybe save time and a little money!

 Tips to help over the festive season. 

1. Use recycled Christmas wrapping and Christmas cards.
2. Cut up your old Christmas cards and use as present labels.
3. Buy rechargeable batteries for Santa gifts.
4. Add new labels to old envelopes and reuse.
5. Get you family making cards for family and friends.
6. Buy gifts that don’t have much packaging like vouchers or tickets.
7. Choose a present of antique art, silver or jewellery and promote reuse.
8. Use fruit and vegetables which is not pre-packed and reduce packaging
9. Compost your seasonal vegetables, peelings
10. Recycle glass, plastic and metal packaging including bottles and cans.
11. Buy high quality, hand-made, or craft gifts that will last.
12. Reuse last year’s Christmas jumper and santa hat for the office party.
13. Reuse bags for Christmas shopping.
14. Use a shopping list to reduce on food waste after Christmas.
15. Buy local to save on carbon miles while supporting the local economy.
16. Remember, shops are open again within days of Dec 25th!
17. Visit your local food banks with surplus food and drinks.
18. Seperate your plastic, paper and cardboard for easy recycling.
19. Use glass bottles rather than plastic.
20. Get the kids involve and thinking about reduce, reuse, recycle.

 Thinking of  2019

If you receive a gift this year that isn’t a favourite, try to share it with someone who will enjoy it.  Kids charities will also accept donations of unused toys as will schools and your local creche  Many families will receive great presents which will replace old or damaged electronic gadgets. You can recycle the old items at either your local recycling centre or at the shop where your electrical present was purchased.

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 2017 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves  TV’s and much more!

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Visit our website for further details or call 01 4578321.

Happy Christmas 2018 and all the best for 2019.

Climate Ambassador Programme 2019

The Climate Ambassador programme is Ireland’s first ever initiative to train and support individuals taking action on climate change. The programme is co-ordinated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce with support from the Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment.

An Taisce is a charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland’s natural and built heritage. They are an independent voice for the environment and for heritage issues. Founded in 1948, they are one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations. An Taisce are a member of the International National Trusts Organisation (INTO) and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Europe’s largest federation of environmental organisations with over 140 member organisations who gain their membership from the general public.

Effects of climate change

The effects of climate change can be felt here and now, at a local, national and global scale. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. Adapting to climate change and mitigating the adverse impacts is a growing concern in every community in Ireland. Becoming a Climate Ambassador gives you the opportunity and platform to do something really positive within your community.

Applications

An Taisce’s are now inviting applications for the 2019 Environmental Education Unit’s Climate Ambassador programme. The programme is open to secondary and third level students and adult members of the community. This includes primary teachers, members of other environmental groups, business people and anyone interested in learning more and taking action on climate change. Our strength is the diversity and passion of our volunteers.

If you’d like to learn more about climate change & communications, take action, share your experiences, and meet like-minded people while taking part in worthwhile events and having some fun, why not take part! The Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce have dedicated staff who will support you throughout your journey, provide training and organise various events throughout the year for you to attend as well as sharing any of your events through variouscommunication channels.

You can complete the application form on the Climate Ambassador home page, by clicking on the “Apply Now” button.

The first year of Climate Ambassadors has been a huge success so why not join An Taisce programme for it’s second year.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning and 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 offered collection services to 90,000 homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas each year collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, TV’s and much more.

Our services are 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 on our work.

The Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI) is the only community reuse and recycling network operating on the island, it has, along with its members, the potential to play a unique and valuable role in the development of resource efficiency and circular economy initiatives at both local and national levels.

CRNI is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the National Waste Prevention Programme. The network is on the board of the RREUSE network of Europe, and at a local level is involved in the National Waste Prevention Network and EcoTourism Ireland. The Community Reuse Network Ireland are delighted to announce CRNI’s biennial conference will take place on 27th September 2018 at the Smock Alley Theatre. With speakers from across retail, local authorities and research institutes, this conference will explore from all angles in a highly interactive way how to change habits to make reuse part of our everyday lives at home and in business.

Two ticket types are available – a full day conference and half day (afternoon session). Click here for more. On the evening of Sept 26th CRNI and the Eastern Midlands Waste Region are delighted to invite you to attend Social Enterprise: Innovators for a Circular Economy, an evening reception highlighting the important role of social enterprise in driving the Circular Economy agenda.

This event, part of an EU-wide campaign by DG GROW to showcase social enterprise, will involve stories and conversations with three innovative social enterprise in the reuse and recycling sector. It will provide an opportunity to network with other social enterprise with music, wine and finger food. The evening’s programme is available here. Ticket are availalbe, click here for more We look forward to seeing you at both events! About Recycle IT Recycle IT  are an award-winning  community enterprise providing recycling collection and drop off services for all types of waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal items. During 2017 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 90,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE 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.

World Cleanup Day

On 15 September 2018, volunteers and partners worldwide will come together to rid our planet of trash by cleaning up litter and mismanaged waste from our beaches, rivers, forests, and streets.

World Cleanup Day harnesses the power of everyday people to achieve incredible things by joining together. Its beauty lies in cooperation and collaboration: building bridges between disparate communities, and including all levels of society – from citizens, to business, to government.

Get Involved

There are lots of ways to get involved with World Clean Up Day in Dublin  but the best ways include joining an event list below or taking the step and create your own cleanup event.

• Dublin City Centre: Meet at St Stephen’s Green at 3 – 4.30 pm
• SICCDA in D8: Meet at Little Flower Centre, 11 Meath Street at 12 noon
• Tallaght LitterMugs: Meet at the Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght at 10am – 12pm
• JCI Dun Laoghaire: Meet at the Ferry Terminal at 12-3pm
• Edenmore: Meet at St. Monica’s Church at 12pm
• Dodder Action Group: River Dodder/Whitestown Stream, Killinarden, Tallaght at 12pm
• Monkstown TidyTowns: Meet at Salthill & Monkstown Railway Station at 10.30am to 12.30pm
• Phibsboro TidyTowns: Meet at Phibsboro Library at 10am – 12pm

The events in Dublin and other location please visit the Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/worldcleanupdayie

DIY – Clean Up

The five simple steps listed below can be used to help organise a Clean-Up:

1. When & What time – Decide where you want to do it and what time, e.g. our local park at 12pm
2. Okay Equipment – Contact your local council to okay it, get equipment and agree on a place to pick up the rubbish when you are finished.
3. Get a partner/sponsor – Organise a thank-you partner like a drink at the local coffee shop or a little party
4. Invite people you know, maybe create a Facebook event and link to this page, do a poster or make a video using logos and images
5. Enjoy & share Enjoy it, share photos or videos online of your team and all the rubbish you collected and hashtag #worldcleanupday

Tips to stay safe and healthy on the day.

• Each volunteer should have, good gloves to keep their hands clean. Each group should have litter pickers and sacks. It recommended that you never touch litter even if are wearing gloves.
• High visibility clothing will help you be seen but it does not make you bullet proof. Stay off roads where possible. “Be Safe Be Seen”.
• Manual handling: Take your time and don’t do too much. If something is heavy don’t struggle; ask for help.
• Persons under 18 should be supervised. It is suggested that a ratio of at least one adult to every five children taking part.
• Take part in group and align yourself to your local cleanup event.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is the only Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise in Dublin providing a neighbourhood collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2017 Recycle IT offered collection services to 90,000 homes, community groups and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including monitors, computers, cookers 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.