Category: Dublin

Recycle small electrics now!

On By JMCEIn Awards, Computer Recycling, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Electronic Equipment, Family, News, We Recycle ITLeave a comment

Small Matters

In 2024, there was a 75% surge in small electrical device sales in Ireland, driven by vapes and solar panels, leading to 93 million household items sold, a massive increase from 2006. Despite this growth, 84% of Irish households reported hoarding an average of 15-20 unused electrical items, and one in eight people admitted to disposing of small items in general waste bins (Source: WEEE Ireland and ERP)

That is a lot of old unused phones which could be recycled for good and with the festive season around the corner there will be lot more old, damaged or unused small electrical items which can be recycled

Using and Replacing

As technology at home and in the office evolves, the speed at which people cease using their existing small electrical and electronic items and replace them with newer models happens with increased regularity. Days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday and gifting for Christmas increase exposure to new gadgets and drive consumers to purchase!

Small Mixed Electrical/Electronic Item – Recycle IT

What is Small?

Individuals young and old replace mobile phones, modems, toys, game consoles, chargers, virtual assistants (AI technology), smartwatches and fitness monitors without thinking too much about the older equipment. Did you know the average life of a smartphone and smartwatch is approx? 24 months.

There are reasons for a short life such as built-in obsolescence or the consumer’s perceived need or want for the newest product. Research by the German Environment Agency on the lifespan of consumer electronics can provide further information; just click here.

Small Household Electrical Items – Recycle IT

Before you dispose of old items please be aware many items contain valuable metals and plastics. With natural resources in limited supply, combined with ever-increasing waste disposal costs, it’s important that we safely recycle small electrical items so that they can be reused in new products.

Small Electrical Equipment List

Items like those listed above and below (if not fit for reuse) are usually shredded to reduce volume and are mechanically separated into their component parts (plastics, ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals). The materials collected will then be reused. For example, mixed-grade plastic can be used to make street and park furniture or multi-purpose decking. Any metals recovered are reused in the manufacture of many different types of new products including your new phone or tablet!

Small Electrical Equipment List (Continued)

What to do?

Recycle IT can help you recycle your small, old, unused or damaged electrical items including batteries of all types.  Pop your batteries in a small clear bag alongside items like kettles, toasters or small electric tools and they all will be safely recycled. Please don’t place them in the black, brown or green bin or leave them out for unauthorised collection.

Small Electrical Jukebox – Recycle IT

Recycle IT want to encourage all users of electrical items to recycle their unwanted, damaged, broken or outdated small electrical gadgets when recycling large items from their homes and offices. Clear out draws, shelves and bags used to store smaller items out of sight!

Recycle IT offer a community collection service, a business collection service and free drop-off to communities across Dublin and would like to see an increase in the amount of small electrical items received for safe recycling. If this does not work for you, simply place it in an envelope or small box and post it to us!

Please don’t horde items in the hope of future repair for reuse. Please do get items repaired quickly and if not please recycle!

For full lists of items that can be recycled by Recycle IT click here. (PFD files can be viewed or downloaded)

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning social enterprise providing a community, personal and business collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Dublin and surrounding counties.

During 2022 Recycle IT offered to drop off and collection services to thousands of homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and screens

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

For more information about Recycle IT please visit www.recycleit.ie or call 01 4578321.

Recycle IT – Dublin City Social Enterprise Award Winner 2022

Dublin Apartments Recycling Initiative

On By JMCEIn Awards, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Family, News, Social Enterprise, We Recycle ITLeave a comment

Electrical Recycling from Apartments

Over our years in operation, Recycle IT has predominantly engaged with householders, residents’ groups, schools, businesses, and community organisation’s to collect and safely recycle waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).  

Apartments dwellers have been harder to reach. There is no one way to describe apartment buildings. Apartment development and types of apartments differ widely, from high-rise developments to smaller individually owned properties.

Typical Electrical Appliances in an Apartment

Some are large 300 (+) unit properties owned by international companies and others are developed with social needs in mind. This leads to numerous differences in the way waste and items for recycling are held onsite and collected. Multiple configurations are used, from recycling rooms to underground car parks, basements and outdoor collection areas, depending on the apartment block.

These differences alongside contacting the right person make it hard to reach apartment recyclers easily. But now with a greater emphasis on the environment, safe recycling, and the mantra of reducing, reusing, recovering, and recycling, Recycle IT is going to try.

Apartment Growth

Another reason to try is that the increase of households in apartments continues to grow at a faster rate than any other accommodation type. This is according to Census 2016. The number of occupied apartments rose by 11.4% from 183,282 to 204,145 over the 2011-2016 period.

Apartments, which have increased in number by 85% since 2002, accounted for 12% of all household types in 2016, compared with 11.1% in 2011. More apartments than houses were granted planning permission in 2020 for the first time in the history of the State.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show planning permissions were granted for 26,224 apartments in 2020. The majority (74%) is earmarked for Dublin.

Students’ apartment blocks are also a relatively new accommodation type in Dublin with 44 Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) currently operating; under construction; granted planning or seeking planning permission in 2019.

Student Apartments Dublin

Our Project

The purpose of the project is to define and support electrical recycling opportunities for new and existing apartment locations in Dublin.

Project Goals included:

  • ensuring access across Dublin to at least one electrical recycling collection event for all residents/households wishing to recycle within the apartment complex per year.
  • increase the quantity of electrical and electronic equipment recycled by the individual, shared and family households based in apartment complexes.
  • ensuring the electrical and electronic equipment collected are recycled safely.
  • improve the reuse and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to help reach the European Union target of 65% minimum collection for recycling of WEEE (EU WEEE Directive).
Mixed Electrical Equipment for Collection and Recycling

Recycle IT is authorized to offer this WEEE pilot recycling project to apartments interested in arranging a recycling colleciton for all apartments in a complex in the following Dublin county council areas.

  • South Dublin County Council 
  • Dublin City Council 
  • Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown County Council

Project Benefits

Waste electrical and electronic equipment is expected to grow continually over the coming decades.  As tech is increasingly used for work, entertainment, communication, home safety and garden and general maintenance, we will all accumulate lots more!  

A study of environmental impacts based on the whole recycling chain of electrical and electronic waste demonstrated that the recycling option is much more ecologically advantageous than simple incineration and should be encouraged as the most suitable treatment option. Source: European Commission.

WEEE Ireland Facts

Remember that recycling WEEE can provide the following benefits-

  • Offering residents the opportunity to recycle in the correct manner.
  • Less e-waste in the bin means fewer items in landfills and therefore, less pollution and toxic waste.
  • The amount of waste gets reduced, which gives you more savings on general waste collection costs and related taxes.
  • We can save energy by reusing metals such as aluminium instead of having to have them made from raw materials.
  • Environmentally conscious management companies can enhance their reputation.
  • Recycling is completely in line with the WEEE directive and ensures individuals and businesses stay compliant.
  • Help Ireland the European Union target of 65% minimum collection for recycling rate (EU WEEE Directive).
Residents Collection Event

What Next?

The responsibility for apartment buildings and their operation does vary and with that in mind we would like to contact:

  • Apartment property managers
  • Apartment building managers
  • Apartment facility managers
  • Apartment maintenance and/or cleaning teams
  • Apartment residents committee members or Chairperson

We would like to make contact with those persons or groups interested and with the authority to arrange the recycling of old electrical equipment from apartment complexes.

We are also interested to help older people living in managed and serviced apartments or residential care units recycle old electrical items safely.

Please do contact us at email, info@recycleit.ie, call 01 4578321 and we will follow up shortly after.

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.

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 services for apartment complexes, call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at 

Apartments Dublin

Recycle IT – Business Electronic Recycling

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

Calling Business

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling is an important consideration for every business, including small and medium-sized companies and especially those with a lot of electronics, such as computers, laptops, phones, networking equipment, printers, batteries and other office devices. Watch our video below!

Recycle IT – Community Electrical Recycling

Some of these old and unused items may be stored in desk drawers or stationary rooms and years out of use. The safe disposal of old, damaged, or unused equipment is essential to good environmental practice.

Some Background

According to the United Nation’s Global E-Waste Monitor, e-waste is the world’s fastest-growing domestic waste stream. Its disposal contributes to climate change due to the chemicals released when it gets burned. Furthermore, 10 % of all electricity consumption and 4 % of all carbon emissions worldwide stem from the ICT industry.

E-waste is hazardous because the components used to make devices contain metals and chemicals known to harm human health. Adults and children in developing countries often work, live, and play in or near e-waste recycling centres and are therefore especially vulnerable.

Unauthorised Disposal of Electronic Equipment

Why We Do

Recycle IT safely recycle Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling for business. We offer a collection service for all types of electronic equipment. Many items are broken down into their component parts and salvaged components that can be reused including the metal from outer casings. This is a much more practical solution for the growing challenge of e-waste. Simply dumping the equipment in the bin is not the right thing to do.

Before the safe disposal of computer equipment, Recycle IT can on request offer data destruction to ensure that sensitive information is not stolen and used for fraud – an important and often legal consideration for many companies. Just ask in advance of drop off or the collection and the service can be arranged.

Computers including Hard Disk Drives

Recycle IT aims to support the Circular Economy which favours designing products for durability, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling. It aims to keep materials circulating for as long as possible. It’s an economy that encourages many different uses for materials instead of just using them up and throwing them in a landfill or an incinerator.

Our recycling initiatives have led to positive recognition from several sources, including Repak Ireland, Dublin City Council, Rethink Ireland, and others.  Please click here to learn more.

If your business needs to free up space, declutter and safely recycle old electronic equipment or pure metal items please do contact Recycle IT via email or telephone at 01 4578321

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT, is an award-winning Dublin-based, not-for-profit, social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by Pobal, the Dormant Accounts Fund, and South Dublin County Council. Recycle IT is authorised 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 – 2022 Award Winner

Dublin Climate Week 2022

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

The second Dublin Climate Action Week will take place from Monday 12th to Saturday 17th September 2022.

Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate & Communications and Minister for Transport, officially launched Dublin’s first Climate Action Week in 2021

Dublin Climate Action Regional Office (CARO), will showcase the ongoing efforts, ambitions and collaborative approach of the four Dublin local authorities, in addressing climate action.

The week is being organised and delivered in partnership. The partners for 2022 are:

  • South Dublin County Council
  • Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
  • Dublin City Council
  • Fingal County Council
  • Codema – Dublin’s Energy Agency

The agreed shared objectives of Dublin Climate Action Week are to:

  • Demonstrate progress on the implementation of the four Dublin local authority Climate Change Action Plans, and a regional approach to climate action;
  • Engage with a full range of partners to showcase efforts and innovation across sectors;
  • Make climate action a ‘reality’ allowing citizens to see what climate action looks like;
  • Promote this initiative so as to fully engage with EU and international cities and our climate peers; and
  • Create a legacy so that this initiative can carry forward to subsequent years in a variety of ways.
DUBLIN CLIMATE ACTION WEEK 2022

Events

A number of regional and local events covering a range of climate topics will be delivered as part of Dublin Climate Action Week 2022 and the full programme of events is available on http://www.dublinclimateactionweek.ie

Climate Festival, Tymon Park, Saturday 17th September.

There will something for everyone at this event in South Dublin.

  • The Stop Food Waste team will be there to talk about how reducing your food waste can reduce your impact on the climate.
  • The Recreate team will be designing creative circular solutions to help offset climate change.
  • Dale Treadwell will take you on an exploration of the local biodiversity around the festival, and the reasons to keep nature healthy in the face of climate change impacts.
  • South Dublin County Council Climate Action Team, ESB e-bikes, and RecycleIT will also be in attendance.

Please note this event will run until 4pm on Saturday, Sept 17th 2022.

Know more

Climate action is now at the forefront of policy-making in Ireland. The enactment of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, the publication of the national Climate Action Plan 2021 and each Council’s Climate Change Action Plan 2019-2024, demonstrate our ongoing commitment to move forward on climate action.

Keep up to date on Dublin Climate Action Week 2022 at www.dublinclimateactionweek.ie and use the hashtag #DCAW22 when sharing news or updates on Dublin Climate Action Week 2022

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.

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 Team at Work

News! Paint Reuse Network

On By JMCEIn Climate change, Dublin, Family, News, Social EnterpriseLeave a comment

Painting can create something beautiful and helps stimulate creativity while helping reduce mental strain and boosts a sense of accomplishment once complete. As we know, reducing metal strain can aid a happier, healthier lifestyle and helps improve overall mental health.

From an environmental viewpoint, water-based and oil-based paints can contain hazardous materials and should be managed safely once you are finished using the standard buckets, cans, or aerosol cans (spray paint) trays and brushes Paint is regulated as hazardous waste so handling and recycling paint correctly is essential to environmental well-being.

Household Paint for Reuse or Recycling

The National Paint Reuse Network

The National Paint Reuse Network was launched in late 2021 and has been going from strength to strength! Yearly in Ireland, 2,000 tonnes of surplus paint are exported for incineration. The National Paint Reuse Network plans to reduce this waste by encouraging paint reuse through redistribution to local community initiatives and individuals with painting projects at home!

The Network, set up by Rediscovery Centre, Dublin supported by Ireland’s three main waste management planning offices. The three regional offices are:

The paint reuse network aims to provide training and best practice guidance on the reuse and remixing of water-based paints while also facilitating networking and collaboration between members.

The Rediscovery Centre based in Dublin has been working on paint reuse in Ballymun since 2007 and will facilitate and support new projects wishing to replicate paint reuse across Ireland.

Just Finished Painting – Recycle Safely

Roger Warburton, Programme Director at Rediscover Centre said ” we set up the network to support new projects to get off the ground, build a support network, provide technical expertise that encourages more paint reuse across the country and provide used paint for people to buy and locations for paint they cannot use to be donated. We’d encourage any organisation or local authority interested in paint reuse to get in touch.”

All colours of water-based non-hazardous paints for internal walls and ceilings can be donated and reused.

All paint should be donated at Civic Amenity sites or Recycling Centre as soon as possible to preserve quality.

Donating Paint for Reuse

Please note that Civic Amenity sites each have their own criteria for paint donations, including a charge for paint donation. Some sites do not accept paint donations. Please check with your local civic amenity site for more information and click here to see 12 civic amenity sites working to accept paint for reuse.

Buying Paint for Reuse

The Paint Reuse Network provides quality paint at a great price. The reused paint produced is non-hazardous and water-based for internal use on walls and ceilings and the quality paints are available in a range of colours that can be tailored to individual needs. The small cost per litre contributes to the cost of providing paint for reuse services across Irish communities, reducing the environmental impact of paint disposal in Ireland. It allows paint reuse organisations to provide ongoing training opportunities within their communities. Click here to see the location from which paint can be purchased.

Establishing a Paint Reuse Project

Membership to the Paint Reuse Network is open to any group, individual or organisation operating a paint reuse initiative within Ireland. They need to commit to the values and vision of the network. Network members are provided with networking, training, technical guidance, policy and legislative support, communications & business development advice.

For further information and guidance on Household, Harazous Waste click here

Learn more about social enterprise in Ireland with Conor Pope from The Irish Times, click here

Painting awaiting Reuse or Recycling

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT, is an award-winning social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling services through drop off and collection. Recycling services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland and South Dublin County Council. Recycle IT’s goal is to create training and employment opportunities through the provision of waste management services. Surplus earned income is reinvested in operational, and employment-related costs.

Recycle IT – Collection Van