Category: Dublin

2025 Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards

On By JMCEIn Awards, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Event, News, Social Enterprise, sustainabilityLeave a comment

Social Enterprise Awards:

The 2025 Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards celebrate and support the amazing work done by social enterprises across Dublin. These awards, organised by Dublin City Council and is run by Inner City Enterprise (ICE) with support from Dublin City Council and the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) based in Dublin City. These award really shine a light on the positive impact social enterprises have on communities.

Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards 2025

What is Social Enterprise

A social enterprise is a business that trades for a social or environmental purpose. They reinvest profits to create social change and support local needs. Social enterprises can be involved in anything from education and employment to climate action and health. They play a key role in building stronger, fairer, and more inclusive communities.

The Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards are open to all types of social enterprises based in the Dublin City area or Social Enterprises offering products or services in Dublin City. Whether your enterprise is just starting or has been running for years, applying can be a big step forward. There are many good reasons to enter.

Why Enter?

1. Recognition and Credibility
Winning or even being shortlisted for an award can give your social enterprise a huge boost in reputation. It shows the public, partners, and funders that your work is being recognised and valued by others. It can also make people more confident in supporting or working with your organisation.

2. Funding Support
The award includes financial prizes, which can be a great help. This funding can be used to grow your services, support your team, or try something new. For small and growing social enterprises, this support can make a real difference.

3. Promotion and Visibility
Finalists and winners are promoted through Dublin City Council and partner channels. This means more people will hear about your work. You’ll get the chance to tell your story to a wider audience, attract new supporters, and possibly reach new customers or clients.

4. Motivation and Morale
Awards recognise hard work and dedication. Being part of the awards can lift the spirits of your team and volunteers. It reminds everyone that their efforts are making a difference. This kind of encouragement can go a long way, especially when times are tough.

5. Networking and Opportunities
The awards give you the chance to meet other social enterprises, funders, and supporters. These connections can lead to future collaborations, funding opportunities, or new ideas. Sharing experiences with others in the sector can also help you learn and grow.

Award Winners 2024

The Value of Awards for Social Enterprises

Beyond the prize itself, awards help raise awareness of what social enterprises do. They bring attention to local solutions to social problems. By celebrating social enterprise, we help grow a stronger sector that can tackle issues like poverty, exclusion, and climate change.

Entering awards also helps organisations reflect on their impact. The application process can help you think more clearly about your goals, successes, and how you measure progress. This can be useful even if you don’t win—helping your enterprise improve and grow.

Final Thoughts

If you run a social enterprise in Dublin, the 2025 Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards are a chance to share your story, get support, and be part of a growing movement. These awards are not just about winning—they’re about showing the value of your work and inspiring others to create positive change.

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 2024 Recycle IT operated drop-off and collection services to homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including thousands of batteries, computers, cables, monitors, kettles, microwaves and screens.

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

Recycle IT – Dublin City Social Enterprise Award Winner 2022

Spring Recycling with Sandyford Business District

On By JMCEIn Climate change, Collections, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Electronic EquipmentLeave a comment

Free Electrical Recycling:

Sandyford Business District is hosting a Free Electrical Recycling Event to help local people, employees working in nearby businesses, and businesses themselves recycle their old or broken electrical items safely and responsibly. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to promote sustainability and reduce waste in the community.

Event Photos

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday April 10th 2025
  • Time: 10am – 12pm
  • Location: Dominic Smith Expert Electrical Sandyford, Unit 4, Leopardstown Retail Park, D18
  • Recycler: Recycle IT
  • Cost: Free (household / small office electrical / electronic equipment).

This event provides a convenient way for everyone to dispose of unwanted electrical items without harming the environment. Whether it’s an old laptop, a broken toaster, or outdated office equipment, all electrical items will be collected and recycled properly.

Who Can Participate?

  • Local Residents – Get rid of old electrical items cluttering your home.
  • Employees in Local Businesses – Drop off broken personal gadgets or work-related electronic waste.
  • Businesses – Dispose of obsolete office electronics in an environmentally friendly way.

What Can You Recycle? You can bring in a wide range of electrical and electronic items, including:

  • Computers, laptops, and accessories
  • Desktop printers and scanners
  • Mobile phones and tablets
  • TVs and monitors
  • Kitchen appliances (toasters, kettles, microwaves, cookers etc.)
  • Cables, chargers, and batteries
Lighting for Recycling

Why Recycle Electronics? Electronic waste contains materials that can be harmful if not disposed of correctly. Recycling ensures that valuable components are recovered, reducing landfill waste and preventing pollution. By participating in this event, you contribute to a cleaner and greener Sandyford.

How to Take Part Simply bring your unwanted electrical items to the designated collection point on the event day. Our team will handle the rest, ensuring all items are processed safely.

Join us in making a positive impact!

About Recycle IT

Spread the word and encourage others to participate. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for our community.

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 2024 Recycle IT operated drop-off and collection services to homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including thousands of batteries, computers, cables, monitors, kettles, microwaves and screens.

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

Mixed IT for Recycling

Reusing or Recycling Toys

On By JMCEIn Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Electronic Equipment, Family, News, Social EnterpriseLeave a comment

Seven Billon Toys:

Did you know, the world threw out more than 7 billion e-toys in 2022. Electronic toys can be overlooked as electronic waste by many which means toys are not recycled correctly. According to the research completed by The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, 9 billion kg of so-called “invisible” e-waste, worth nearly $10 billion, is thrown away yearly. Around one-third of this waste comes from children’s toys containing some 3.2 billion kg of hidden electronics.

Toy Fun

Toys help create an imaginative world of play and fun, they can help build social skills and ease demands on parents!  Sometimes the most expensive toys are not the best option as kids enjoy playing with items from their homes. They can build props like a playhouse or space rocket out of reused cardboard boxes and tubes, creating their own special world.

Most homes with kids have lots of toys. Storage containers are filled to the brim with, dolls, action figures, building blocks, cars, remote-controlled flying machines, games devices,  and many other items. Our question? What do parents and children do with old favourites when the new toy or game arrives?

Battery-Operated Toys for Recycling – Recycle IT

Involve Children

Kid toys are exactly that, kids toys so it’s wise to keep children involved in any decisions regarding the future of their toys. Parents can be helpful by reinforcing the fact that their once loved yet unwanted items will be reused by kids with a greater need and the fact that the environment benefits by keeping these items out of landfills or incinerators should be valued.

Toy Reuse

With Christmas right around the corner, many people are looking to find the best toys to buy this Christmas. And if you’re adding new toys to your children’s collection, you might be wondering what to do with the old toys.

Here are all the places you can donate gently used toys, including electronics, stuffed animals, dolls and other items. Before you pack up the car, call ahead to make sure the organisation you’ve chosen is currently accepting donations.

Battery-Operated Toys for Recycling - Recycle IT
Mixed Battery-Operated Toys for Recycling – Recycle IT
  • Local charity shops
  • Community creche facilities or playgroups
  • Facebook or online community reuse groups
  • Hospitals or doctor’s surgery play areas
  • Children’s homes and shelters
  • Community daycare facilities
  • Schools
Battery-Operated Toys for Recycling - Recycle IT
Battery-Operated Toys for Recycling – Recycle IT

Electronic Toys

Toys with computer chips, computer screens, lights, noise, plugs, batteries or other electronic components can and should be recycled. They should not be added to domestic waste. We know from experience this is not the case as very few electrical toys make their way to us for recycling. Recycle IT offer collection and drop-off services and will accept electrical and electronic toys including games consoles, cameras, tablets, remote control cars or planes, dolls, action figures, watches or replica phones. The list is endless but any toy with a plug or battery is acceptable for recycling.

Finally… 

Recycling and repurposing are environmentally responsible. You should involve your children. You can make sure your children understand the concept of recycling and the value old or broken toys have for others. Reused toys can bring joy to a child or recycling can help create a job!

Toys IMG_1195 (1)
 Electronic Toys / Entertainment Equipment for Recycling – Recycle IT

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 2024 Recycle IT operated drop-off and collection services to homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including thousands of batteries, computers, cables, monitors, kettles, microwaves and screens.

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

Protect Data and the Planet: Recycle Your Memory Chips

On By JMCEIn Climate change, Collections, Computer Recycling, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Electronic Equipment, Social EnterpriseLeave a comment

The Importance of Removing and Recycling Computer Memory Chips Safely

Computer memory chips, like RAM (Random Access Memory) and flash storage, play a crucial role in modern computing by enabling fast data access and system performance. Yet, as technology advances, older computers and memory chips become obsolete, leading to electronic waste (e-waste). Properly removing and recycling these components is essential for environmental protection, resource conservation, and data security.

Internal Computer Memory Chip

In 2021, the global semiconductor industry achieved record sales, totaling $555.9 billion, with approximately 1.15 trillion semiconductor units shipped. Memory chips, including DRAM and NAND flash, are significant contributors to these figures. Source: www.semiconductors.org

1. Environmental Impact of E-Waste

E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, with millions of discarded computers contributing to pollution. Memory chips contain hazardous substances, for example, lead, mercury, and brominated flame retardants, which can leach into soil and water if improperly disposed of in landfills. Additionally, electronic waste incineration releases toxic fumes, contributing to air pollution and harming both human health and ecosystems. Recycling memory chips prevents these hazardous materials from polluting the environment and ensures responsible waste management.

2. Recovering Valuable Materials

Memory chips contain precious and rare materials, such as gold, silver, copper, and palladium. These metals are highly conductive and essential for electronic manufacturing, but they are also finite resources that need extensive mining. Extracting these metals through traditional mining causes deforestation, water contamination, and high carbon emissions. By recycling memory chips, manufacturers can recover these valuable materials and reduce the need for new mining operations, leading to a more sustainable supply chain.

Portable Memory

3. Reducing Electronic Waste and Landfill Overflow

Discarded electronics take up significant space in landfills, where they do not decompose easily. Memory chips and other computer components contribute to this growing problem. Safe removal and recycling help minimize landfill overflow and promote a circular economy where materials are reused rather than discarded. Recycling programs help extend the lifespan of electronic components and reduce the overall waste burden on the planet.

4. Data Security Considerations

Different types of Computer memory store sensitive data, including passwords, personal information, and financial records. If a memory chip is improperly discarded, unauthorized individuals can retrieve and exploit the data. Secure removal and recycling of memory chips make sure that stored information is permanently erased before disposal. Certified e-waste recyclers use specialized techniques, like data wiping and physical destruction, to prevent data breaches and safeguard user privacy.

Memory Cards

5. Economic and Job Creation Benefits

Recycling memory chips and other electronic components contributes to the growing e-waste management industry, creating jobs in recycling centers, refurbishment facilities, and material recovery plants as a Recycle IT.

Some companies refurbish and resell working memory chips, making affordable technology accessible to low-income communities while reducing waste.

Other like Recycle IT operated within a closed loop circular supply chain. As a part funded social enterprise established to offer training and employment opportunities we apply for funds to invest in e-waste recycling projects, further boosting community engagement, economic opportunities and sustainable development.

Memory Card

Finally

Computer memory chips are vital components that should not be discarded carelessly. Safe removal and recycling help protect the environment, recover valuable materials, reduce landfill waste, ensure data security, and promote economic growth. By adopting responsible recycling practices, individuals and businesses can contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. Recycling initiatives and awareness campaigns are essential in encouraging the proper disposal of electronic waste, making the technology industry more eco-friendly and resource-efficient so please share this blog post with others!

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT, are a 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 services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT – Irish Social Enterprise Network Members 2025

Electrical Recycling – Do more this year!

On By JMCEIn Awards, Climate change, Collections, Computer Recycling, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Electronic Equipment, We Recycle ITLeave a comment

Research from WEEE Ireland

WEEE Ireland, Ireland’s large waste electrical compliance scheme says over 15 million small appliances such as coffee makers, calculators, kettles and keyboards were handed back for safe recycling. This is alongside with the equivalent of 66 million used AA batteries which made there back to into the circular economy.

Mixed Cables and Chargers

WEEE figures also reveal that, for every 10 new tech products sold in Ireland, only 4 are eventually coming back for recycling when they become obsolete. Did you know, one in four 18-24-year-olds and one in five aged 35-44 get rid of common household electrical items such as smart watches, earbuds and blue tooth speakers in general waste bins. 

Almost half of Ireland’s small electronics are bought in November and December each year – but data from WEEE Ireland shows only one in three are coming back for recycling.

Mixed Electronic Equipment

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland figures reveal more than 11 million small electronic items from personal grooming to tech were bought here last year, 4.4 million of them across Black Friday and Christmas.

People’s concerns about personal data are stopping one in five (21%) adults from recycling their unused tech items – while a further 22% of adults keep old technology equipment as backups, new research reveals.

The Empathy Research survey for WEEE Ireland, the largest Irish not-for-profit compliance scheme also found that 12% of people still put small electronic waste items in general household bins. This is truly unbelievable!

Mixed Electronic Equipment

Storing and hoarding

Digital hoarding, e-hoarding, e-clutter, data hoarding, or cyber hoarding are all terms used to describe keeping IT equipment beyond a reasonable time for use.

In Time Magazine Pascal Leroy, director general of the WEEE Forum, a Brussels-based association of global e-waste management organizations, says “It’s really an issue of great concern, this hoarding, and it’s difficult to address because it’s about consumer behaviour—why do people behave the way they do?” says “There is something in us that prevents us from properly disposing of it or properly recycling it.”

Old Electronic Equipment – Home or Office

When you choose to store or hoard older items (no longer used) you are limiting the number of reusable resources available to produce new electronic items. There are lots of components in older equipment that can be reused in the manufacturing of new mobile phones, tablets, or laptops.

For example, the plastic and glass from screens/monitors can be reused, therefore limiting the amount of glass and plastic that is required to create new monitors.

Recycling your old phones, tablets, and laptops with Recycle IT also helps create work experience opportunities and local jobs which is beneficial to the local community.

You can read more about this topic here.

Doing more!

CEO of WEEE Ireland, Leo Donovan, is now urging consumers to dig out old and broken tech and their accessories for recycling, emphasising the straightforward nature of backing up and wiping old devices.

“Most phone and laptop manufacturers have user-friendly instructions on their websites for backing up and deleting data, ensuring that valuable information is not lost or exposed.

Mixed Electronic and Electrical Equipment

“If recycled correctly, these old and broken devices, along with their integrated batteries, chargers and cables, provide a significant source of critical and strategic secondary raw materials,” said Mr Donovan.

Recycling laptop, mobile phones and other household and personal electronic devices help reduce the use of new natural resources.

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, electronic and metal items.

Recycle IT offer drop-off and collection services to both homes and organizations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of printers and we can help recycle yours!

If you require data destruction we can offer a cost-effective service to households and organisations. Just email us to find out more.

Our electrical community collection service is provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster.

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

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT Van 2025