Category: Electronic and Electrical Recycling

WEEE – waste electrical and electronic equipment

Network Electronics – Safe Recycling

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Networking Equipment – Safe Recycling

Recycling electronics including all types of networking equipment used at home, in schools, charities or in business is essential for protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable recovery for reuse. Network devices are found nearly everywhere as they manage data traffic, provide security, and enable connectivity on internal networks or across the internet.

Electronic waste, often called e-waste, includes network items like routers, switches, modems, cables, and other components of networking systems. These items contain valuable materials, but they also pose significant environmental and health risks if not disposed of properly.

Network Equipment

Managing Dublin’s E-Waste

Dublin and surrounding areas like the rest of Ireland, generates a significant amount of electronic waste every year. In 2023, Ireland recycled 41,730 tonnes of e-waste, including computer equipment and other electronics. This is equivalent to approximately 18.1 million devices. Dublin contributed significantly to this effort, with residents recycling thousands of tonnes of electronic waste.

Despite these achievements, there’s room for improvement. A recent report from the Ireland EPA covering 2022 showed that Ireland’s e-waste collection rate had fallen to 51.2%, below the EU target of 65%. This indicates that many electronic items are still being discarded improperly, potentially harming the environment.

Recycling Computer Equipment: Key Statistics

Computers and related networking devices make up a large portion of e-waste. In Ireland, an average of 10 kg of e-waste per person is collected annually. However, it’s estimated that each household in Dublin owns about 5-10 unused electronic items, including old computers and networking devices.

Map of Dublin Area

In 2022, Dublin residents recycled more than 11,000 tonnes of electrical waste, a significant portion of which consisted of computers, printers, and networking equipment. Yet, surveys show that about one in eight people still throw small electronics, including cables and modems, into their general waste bins, where they are not recycled.

Protecting the Environment

Networking equipment often contains hazardous substances, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. When these items are improperly discarded, toxic chemicals can leach into the soil and water, contaminating the environment. This pollution harms wildlife and can even affect human health. Safe recycling ensures that hazardous materials are handled responsibly, preventing them from causing long-term damage to Dublin’s natural surroundings.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 

In addition, recycling helps conserve natural resources. Networking equipment often contains metals like copper, gold, and silver, which are finite resources. By recycling these items, Dublin can reduce the need for mining new materials, which is energy-intensive and environmentally destructive. This contributes to a more sustainable future for the city and its residents.

Reducing Waste in Landfills

Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing types of waste globally. Dublin, as a thriving urban area, generates significant amounts of e-waste annually. Without proper recycling, this waste ends up in landfills or incinerators and releases harmful substances. Recycling large and small e-waste items including networking equipment helps reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, keeping Dublin cleaner and more efficient in managing its waste systems.

Supporting the Circular Economy

Safe recycling also supports the circular economy. In a circular economy, products are reused, repaired, or recycled rather than thrown away. By recycling networking equipment, Dublin can recover valuable materials and reintroduce them into the production cycle. This reduces the demand for raw materials and helps create jobs in recycling and refurbishing industries. Such efforts contribute to Dublin’s economic growth while promoting sustainability.

Complying with Regulations

In Ireland, there are strict regulations governing the disposal of e-waste, including networking equipment. These laws aim to ensure that electronic waste is recycled safely and responsibly. By following these regulations, individuals and businesses in Dublin can avoid legal penalties and contribute to the city’s overall waste management goals.

Network Equipment Home and Office

Enhancing Cybersecurity

Improper disposal of networking equipment can also pose cybersecurity risks. Many devices store sensitive information, such as passwords, network configurations, and personal data. If these items are not recycled properly, this data could fall into the wrong hands. Reputable recycling programs ensure that all data is securely wiped or destroyed before the equipment is processed, protecting individuals and businesses from potential security breaches.

Making Recycling Accessible in Dublin

Dublin offers several options for safely recycling electronic networking equipment. Local recycling centres and collection points make it easy for residents to dispose of their e-waste responsibly. Both households and business can recycle equipment safely with Recycle IT, a community recycling service.

What You Can Do

As a resident or business owner in Dublin, you can play a vital role in promoting safe recycling. Start by identifying the electronic items you no longer use. Look to certified recycling projects such a those operated by Recycle IT for help. If the equipment is still functional, consider donating it to charities or schools that might need it. Always ensure that your data is securely erased before recycling or donating your devices.

Team Work @ Recycle IT

Finally

Safe recycling of electronic networking equipment and related items is essential for Dublin City’s environmental, economic, and social well-being. By reducing pollution, conserving resources, supporting the circular economy, and enhancing cybersecurity, recycling plays a crucial role in building a sustainable future. With accessible recycling options and increasing awareness, Dublin’s residents and businesses can work together to ensure a cleaner, greener city for generations to come.

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 Collections

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

Sandyford Business District – Recycling Event

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Pre Christmas Electrical Waste Recycling Morning

Sandyford Business District have arranged a FREE Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Event on the morning of Wednesday December 11th 2024, to help you clear-out old, unused or damaged electrical items before the start of a new year!

Together with Recycle IT, the team at Sandyford Business District have organized another a community electronic/electrical equipment collection morning on Wednesday December 11th in HUB17 on 17 Corrig Road, Sandyford Business Park, D18N6K8.

Just pop along between 10am and 12 noon to avail of this Free to Recycle Event.

Bring along large and small domestic appliances of all types, they are free to recycle. (Household and electric garden items). See list below for more detail*

Small office electronic equipment is free to recycle. (Computers, laptops, tablets, cables chargers, Keyboards, ETC)

Your will find full lists of items accepted here and you can open the PDF files for great detail.

Remember commerical equipment has a cost for recycling. If you are unsure please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321 before the FREE drop off event.

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

Recycling Office Equipment

On By JMCEIn Collections, Computer Recycling, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Electronic Equipment, NewsLeave a comment

Recycling Electronic Equipment Safely

Recycling old office equipment is a growing trend in Dublin. Placing large and small electronic items in the bin has a negative impact on recycling and the environment and is just the wrong thing to do.

Old office equipment might seem worthless to you, but not-for-profit organisations are willing to accept your old equipment and keep it from ending up in a landfill or an incinerator.

Computer casings for recycling after parts removed

Recycle IT specializes in safe electronic collections and recycling in compliance with the WEEE directive. Whatever your electronic, electrical or pure metal disposal needs, our teams can help you with safe convenient disposal. We follow the principles of, reduce, reuse, recovery and recycle.

At Recycle IT you will find a team that is dedicated, socially driven and environmentally sensible. Our social enterprise specializes in compliant and permitted WEEE recycling and IT disposal, we can be seen daily collecting electronic, electrical and pure metal waste from a range of organizations and properties across Dublin and surrounding areas. Our work helps create real and valuable training and employment opportunities.

The removal of electronic waste comes with many stipulations and guidelines, with which we fully comply. For further details click here

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Recycle IT – Recycling Cables

Collections

At short notice and within 3 to 6 working days our vehicles equipped with a friendly and reactive team, are available to carry out the collection and recycling of a variety of electronic equipment in our specialist WEEE recycling facility.

All your old equipment will be safely disposed of. If you have a particular requirement just let us know in advance. We can collect most items from easily accessible locations within your facility and take up a minimum of your time. Old toasters, kettles, cables and computers can be all collected at the same time!

WEEE for Recycling

Waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling includes:

  • Computer recycling, including safe breakdown & disposal.
  • Server and network equipment recycling.
  • TV/Monitor recycling & disposal.
  • Physical destruction of Hard Drives or sensitive equipment.
  • Laptop and printer recycling & disposal.
  • White goods recycling.
  • Audio goods recycling.
  • Testing and monitoring equipment.
  • Games consoles and electronic toys.

Businesses large and small can save time and hassle by engaging a professional, cost-effective reliable recycling service to collect your waste items for safe recycling. This year we have recycled for legal, accounting, bookkeeping, engineering, management, IT, construction and digital marketing services across Dublin.

We offer small businesses the opportunity to drop off free during the year. Keep an eye out for the dates!

Compliant with the Legislation

On removal of WEEE from your organisation, Recycle IT will provide you with documentation including a docket acknowledging the collection. Once the equipment leaves your premises you can be sure it will be dealt with responsibly. If your business needs additional documents for audit or environmental reporting please let us know and we will endeavour to help.

Recycle IT – Mixed WEEE Collection

All of our recycling work is carried out under legislation. Recycle IT is audited at regular intervals. WEEE recycling is carried out as outlined in the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. You can read more at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website here.

Remember

Recycling electronic office equipment, such as computers, laptops, and servers, is crucial for both environmental and social reasons. In Dublin, our community-based social enterprise play a significant role in safely recycling these items.

When you recycle electronic office equipment, you prevent harmful materials like lead and mercury from contaminating the environment. Instead, these materials can be extracted and reused, reducing the need for mining and minimizing pollution.

IT Equipment for Safe Recycling

Recycle IT as a community-based social enterprises engage people in return to work training set around the recycling process, creating jobs and fostering a sense of environmental responsibility. By supporting this initiative, you contribute to the local economy and help build a more sustainable future for Dublin.

When dropping off your old electronics for recycling, ensure they’re handled by authorised facilities to guarantee proper disposal. Recycle IT offer convenient collections services, making it easy for you to do your part in protecting the environment and supporting your community.

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

New TV on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

TV’s and More

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great times to buy electronics like TVs, laptops, or smartphones. Discounts can save you a lot of money! Black Friday online sales grew 8% year-over-year (YoY) to $70.9 billion globally in 2023. Statista says, in 2024, over 80 percent of consumers in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Turkey were planning to make purchases during Black Friday. But what happens to your old or broken electronics? It’s important to recycle them safely to protect the environment. The following might help!

Black Friday Sales

1. Plan Your Purchase

Before heading out to shop, think about what you need. Do you want a bigger TV or a laptop for work? Write a list so you don’t overspend.

2. Research Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals

Check online stores like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy. Compare prices to get the best deal on your new TV or gadget. Don’t forget to read reviews before buying!

3. Don’t Throw Away Old Electronics

Old TVs, phones, or laptops should not go in the trash. They contain materials like plastic, glass, and metals. If thrown away, these can harm the environment.

4. Reuse, Donate, or Sell

If your old items still work:

  • Reuse them: Turn an old laptop into a backup or media device.
  • Donate: Give them to schools, charities, or friends.
  • Sell for Reuse: Once wiped, websites like eBay or Done Deal might help.
E-Waste At Recycle IT

5. Recycle Safely

If your items are damaged:

  • Find a local Recycling Centre or many electrical stores accept old electronics for free.
  • E-Waste Events: Some towns and cities hold e-waste collection in the days before Christmas.
  • Manufacturer Takeback: Some brands will take back old products. Check their websites!

6. Benefits of Recycling

  • Save Resources: Recycling allows parts to be reused, saving raw materials.
  • Reduce Pollution: Proper disposal prevents harmful chemicals from leaking into soil or water.
  • Conserve Energy: Making new products from recycled materials uses less energy.

7. Buy Energy-Efficient Electronics

Look for TVs and devices with the Energy Star label. They use less power and save you money on your electricity bill. It’s another way to help the planet

Sustainable Development Goal: No 12

Shop Responsibly – Shop Sustainably

While shopping during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, remember to focus on quality over quantity. Sometimes, the cheapest options aren’t the most durable. A slightly more expensive product might last longer and offer better value in the long run. Additionally, avoid upgrading unnecessarily. If your current electronics are still functional and meet your needs, consider skipping the sale altogether to reduce waste.

Spread Awareness

Share your knowledge about recycling and eco-friendly practices with others. Many people aren’t aware of the harmful effects of e-waste or the options for responsible disposal. Encourage friends and family to recycle their electronics, donate usable items, and buy energy-efficient products.

Finally

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are exciting times to score great deals on electronics, but it’s just as important to think about what happens to the old items you replace. By reusing, donating, selling, or recycling your old electronics, you can reduce waste and help protect the environment. Shopping for energy-efficient devices also contributes to a greener planet. With a little planning, you can enjoy your new purchases while making a positive impact.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not-for-profit social enterprise providing collection and drop-off services for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Yearly Recycle IT offered drop-off and collection services to thousands of homes and organisations across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, televisions, toasters, cables, lawnmowers, monitors, microwaves and kettles.

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

Visit our website for further details.