Waste-Waste-Waste

My son is now in first class. He came home from school a few weeks ago and spoke to me about his day.  He had learned about all the waste human’s create and how the waste triangle was going to be topic of the week. He had learned that putting rubbish in the ground is not a good idea or the answer for the waste created in school, at home or in his other favour places.  Since our chat there has been an extra focus on reducing, re-using and recycling as much as we can. Even his 5 year old sister is taking an interest!

The triangle, James aged 7 referred to  is”The Waste Management Hierarchy” You will find it pictured below and we all should take an interest.

The Waste Management Hierarchy

The hierarchy priorities waste management options in terms of environmental impact and is the guiding principle for waste management in Ireland and across the European Union, thus ensuring that preventing, reducing and recycling waste is the priority. This model aims to see as much waste as possible managed at the higher levels of the hierarchy starting with prevent.

Since all waste tends to have some impact on the environment, the only way to avoid the impact is – Don’t produce the waste in the first place. It is really a case of ‘Think before you act!

Waste prevention is at the top of the Waste Management Hierarchy but is the hardest to implement. This really takes time and effort to get up and running but it’s time well spent and really does pay for itself.

Prevention is followed by reduction, re-use and recycling. Composting and generating energy from waste are next in the hierarchy, while disposal to landfill is at the very bottom of the hierarchy. Landfill is an out of sight, out of mind, solution and not the way to solve our waste challenges.

We know lots of good work is ongoing everyday but still millions of tons the waste generated in across Ireland and Europe goes to landfill or for incineration each year. This suggests that current EU legislation and incentives are not moving waste up the hierarchy fast enough and for this reason the waste directives will be revised over the coming period.

 Way to encourage reuse of resources and reduced wasting include:

• Offer incentives to large employers, government departments and big business to implement sustainable purchasing policies that support local social and environmental objectives.
• Ensure incentives are in place for reuse (circular economy) of materials and disincentives in place for wasting materials.
• Create and monitor waste policies, develop proper research funds and drive regulation of customers and the industry.
• Set up systems which encourage local communities and economies to support recovery and reuse e.g. Tidy towns.
• Reuse old materials in make new products e.g. computers

The Proximity Principle demonstrates the need and value of waste disposal and treatment of wastes in reasonable proximity to their point of generation. The principle works to minimise the environmental impact and the cost of waste transport. This is a model Recycle IT embrace.

Reuse is the ideal and suggestion include

• Reuse products over and over.
• Repurpose products for alternative uses.
• Repair to retain value and usefulness.
• Refurbish for reuse.
• Re-manufacture with disassembled parts.
• Dismantle to obtain parts for repairing.
• Support charity shops,
• Encourage or allow licensed recovery of reusable goods from waste disposal sites.

This is one of many article written and published to the web which promotes the waste triangle (as named by James aged 7).

We know it is the right thing to do until we find a better way forward!

The Waste Management Hierarchy can help us all to protect our environment increrase local economic activity (including jobs) and prevent further negative impacts to our surrounding.

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 2016 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 100,000 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.

To learn more about recycling electrical equipmment please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321 or email us

 

Up-cycled and Re-purposed drums for garden use

Have you ever wondered what Recycle IT do with the many washing machine drums we collect and receive in our recycling facility. Well after some research and some trial and error we found washing machine drums can be re-purposed or up-cycled into useful items for reuse at home, in the office or in a garden.

In this post we are looking at how recycled washing machine drums and tumble dryer drums can be used in outdoor spaces. Ideas include garden planters, fire pits retro barbecues and storage stools.

Above you with see children from a local primary school in Lucan, Co Dublin planting a reused tumble dryer drum with some help from the Recycle IT on Biological Diversity Day, 2017. This and other drums used on the day were extracted from tumble dryers which have been recycled by our teams. They are now in the school garden helping to encourage learning.

1. Garden Planters

Gardeners around the globe use various types of containers to enhance the look of their gardens. They add height, dimension, create more space and unique features. Garden planters bring ideas to life and can change the way you use your garden space. Washing machine drums are a great way to add a modern twist to you garden They can change the focus and help make your garden different to others. Recycled washing machine drums make great planters especially for growing dwarf fruit trees, The planters are deep and roomy and have drainage holes included.

2. Retro barbecue / outdoor heater

Your family, friends and neighbours are going to love this one. With its fire-resistant metal design, you can add charcoal briquettes to the washing machine drum, place a cooking rack over the centre opening and rediscover the satisfaction and affordability of outdoor cooking. As a bonus you can also take all the praise for coming up with this innovative idea. PS.. It can also be used as an outdoor heater.

3. An outdoor stool with internal storage

This washing machine drum stool which can be mounted on casters and allows you enjoy your outdoor space. You don’t have to worry about metal rust or repainting wooden furniture. The perforated exterior of your washing machine’s drum offers an attractive modem feature which is weather proof. With the additional bonus of storage for kid’s toys or BBQ equipment this funky stool is something kids and adults will love.

We hope you found these ideas interesting and please keep us update on any new ideas or designs for reuse. If you want to save money and source a washing machine drums as a cheaper alternative  please give us a call on 01 4578321 or send us an email

Drums are perforated and remember all metal will get hot when heat is applied so take care.

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). Last year Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 100,000 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.

Green Office – Home Office – Any Office

Office waste is any waste generated within any office space. It can consists of electrical, electronic, cardboard, paper and packaging waste, all of which can be recycled. Mixed waste may also turn up in your office. Items like glass or plastic bottles, plastic cups, coffee cups and sandwiches wrappers. These items can all be segregated and recycled in in offices or all sizes including home offices.

The benefits of introducing a reduce, reuse and recycling programme in your office include.

• Savings on waste disposal costs.
• Boost to staff morale by having a focus on reduce, reuse and recycling.
• Demonstrates the organisations commitment to the environment.
• Enhanced public perception of your organisation as a green organisation.

Below you will find some green tips that can be easily implemented and integrated into the day-to-day running of your office and office building.

19 Tip on How to Reduce Office Waste

1. To reduce the amount of paper accumulated in the office, only print the amount needed and limit the distribution of copies to only those that really need it.
2. Computer printouts should be limited. E-mail or instant messages can be sent to save on paper and time.
3. Data and reports can be stored or presented from memory sticks or the cloud, to save paper
4. Single spacing can be used as a format when printing reports.
5. Photocopy and print double-sided.
6. Before printing multiple copies, print a single copy. Check this copy for errors. Use the spell check and other facilities on your computer, laptop or tablet.
7. Draft documents should be reviewed on-screen before printing.
8. Drafts and other internal documents can be printed on paper that has been used on one side.
9. Scrap paper can be used to make note pads to take phone messages.
10. Printing and photocopying should be carried out only when it is necessary.
11. Have a centralised office filing system. This reduces the need for multiple files reducing paper use.
12. Electrical and electronic office equipment including computers should only be purchased as needed. This is to cut down on excess equipment sitting in the store, going out of date.
13. Regularly service office equipment, particularly computers, photocopiers and printers, to prolong their lifespan.
14. When equipment reaches its end of life use a registered and licensed electrical and electronic recycler to ensure equipment is safely made ready for reuse and recycling.
15. Employees should regularly empty out their desk and return any unwanted office supplies to the stationery cupboard.
16. Free or online newspaper subscription can reduce the amount of paper to be recycled.
17. Cancel any unwanted magazine or newspaper subscriptions to avoid unwanted waste accumulating.
18. Office announcements can be posted online, sent via email or posted once in a centralised monitor or TV screen.
19. All employees should be encouraged to move to a paperless office – Develop a plan!

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). Last year Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 100,000 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.