Why Reuse, Re-purposing and Recycling,  

Waste is defined as any substance or object which the holder discards or intends to discard or is required to discard. Frequently used terms include refuse, garbage, rubbish, trash or junk. Source: Environmental Protection Agency

After years of recession Ireland’s economy seems to be growing rapidly and more than the EU average. This trend is forecast to continue over the next number of years and as a result, Ireland and some of its people will again feature as one of the wealthier countries within the EU and the world. This is positive but also brings challenges as richer countries generally produce greater amounts of waste and including large amounts of paper, packaging, glass, plastic and electronic waste.

Let’s take a look at everyday items like toasters, kettles and phones. As we produced more of these items, they become cheaper, people replace them with increasing frequency and older items are discarded as waste. It’s harder for us as a race to manage this waste without damaging our environment.  Challenges are posed by large scale usage, frequent upgrades and little reuse of electrical and electronic equipment. NEW is a common feature of everyday life today.

Did you ever think others might wish to use the items you once loved but no longer required? Most items in a home or office can be reused and re-purposed by others which saves money for the person disposing and the person receiving.

By thinking about an alternative use or doing a little research you can help determine if your clothes, shoes, beds, computer, monitor, games console and many other types of equipment can be reused, re-purposed or recycled by you or others.

Recycle IT have outlined six benefits of reuse, re-purposing or recycling.  

Have a look! 

1. Money-saving – Sourcing second-hand items can be more cost-effective than buying new and you will often find amazing one-off deals by doing a little extra looking.
2. Energy-saving – Donating items for re-use helps save energy. A lot of energy goes into the manufacturing new items so by thinking about how you can re-use or re-purpose once loved electrical appliances helps reduce the need for new products.
3. Environmental protection – We can all help reduced air, water and soil pollution by recycling equipment such as a computer, kitchen applications CRT monitors, batteries, light bulbs and much more.
4. Conserving resources – Each time clothes, cars or electrical appliances are upgraded or updated, we use lots of raw materials to assemble the new models. Extracting natural resources to create raw materials changes our world, reduced resources available for future generations and increases the effects of global warming. How does make you feel?
5. Reducing landfill – Reuse, re-purposing and recycling daily reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill or for incineration leading to a healthier environment for everyone to enjoy.
6. Supporting community organisations – Buy items at affordable prices and raise much-needed money to support the work of not for profit organisations and charities. Alternatively recycling with charity shop or reuse projects really helps create training, employment, income and environmental opportunities, just look at Recycle IT 

There are many ways you can pass on your unwanted items for reuse, re-purposing and recycling

• Donating to a local charity or community organisation.
• Pass to a family member or friend
• Repairing items. E.g. mobile phones, washing machines, toys
• Offer to a re-use organisation.
• Research ideas for repurposing and ask others to re-purpose.
• Recycle with an authorized and approved organisation.

Finally….

There are many good reasons to treat waste sensibly and this can be achieved by making informed decisions about what we buy and how to get the most from our purchases. Separating needs from wants and introducing a simple planning process can help reduce the frequency of purchase, reduce waste disposal and most likely save you money.

JCI Awards 2016

JCI is a nonprofit organisation of young active citizens age 18 to 40 who are engaged and committed to creating impact in their communities. Active citizens are individuals invested in the future of our world.  JCI gathers active citizens from all sectors of society across 100 nations.

Nearly 200,000 JCI members around the world take action to make concrete and positive change and one of the ways this is achieved is through it’s awards programmes.  Whether it’s New York or Dublin  JCI operate and run a very worthwhile and positive awards programme and in Ireland it promotes the positives for operating a Friendly Business.

JCI Dublin

Businesses entering the awards compete at local, regional, national and international levels where entries are evaluated and companies are visited, telephoned and questioned to gauge Business Friendliness. Once this process is complete entries are shortlist and winners are selected by a panel of  judges. At national level the public also get to vote!

Recycle IT entered and competed in the 2016 regional awards for Dublin where 1.2 million people and potential customers live and access a wide range of business products and services regularly.  JCI Dublin wish to encourage as many businesses as possible to be friendly and operated the awards to promote the value of friendliness in attracting and keeping customers.

The Award

After our success in being shortlisted, Recycle IT are delighted to announce “We are Winners”  Eco Friendly Business Winners for 2016. We are really happy and take great pride in accepting the Award from JCI Dublin.

We want to wish all the businesses who entered, were shortlisted and won even more happy customers and successful business growth.  I’m sure you’d agree, it’s great to be part of this awards programme. You can read more about the JCI awards and other winners at ThinkBusiness.ie

 

Next Stage

The next step is the JCI Ireland National Friendly Business Awards.  Voting is now open and you can click here to register your vote for Recycle IT . Every vote puts us in with a chance of winning a national award under the JCI Ireland Eco Friendliness category. Remember you can vote daily right up until midnight on Sept 25th 2016.

Junior Chambers Ireland – Friendly Business Awards 2016

JCI Dublin in association with Bank of Ireland are delighted to announce the Friendly Business Awards for 2016.

Now in its 9th year the friendly business award recognises businesses who go the extra mile, providing an outstanding customer service for their customers and their community across a number of categories including:

-Community Impact/ Social Friendliness
-Customer Care
-Digital Experience
-Disability Access
-Eco-Friendliness
-Shop Layout/Design

Following a phenomenal number of entrants this year, Recycle IT have been shortlisted by Junior Chambers Ireland (Dublin) for the regional finals.

This is the second time in 2016 that Recycle IT have been shortlisted for an Friendly Business Award – Great News!  We are delighted to be attending the JCI Awards Event in Dublin.

Hopefully can win “big”on the evening! Taking part and hopefully winning helps our ‘not for profit’ social enterprise promote an environmentally friendly, community focused electrical recycling service to a wider audience.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony, hosted by the Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 on Saturday 27th August 2016.