Category: News

Bike and E-Bike Upcycling Initiative.

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

Funded Pilot Project

The Department of Rural and Community Development, in conjunction with the Department of Transport developed a pilot initiative for the supply of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for reuse.

This initiative was further developed to allow social enterprise organizations based in Ireland to apply for funding to support the operation of the scheme during 2021 and hopefully beyond.

Bikes – Dropped off for Metal Recycling – Recycle IT

We are delighted to share the news that the successful applicants for the initiative have now been chosen. They are

  1. The Rediscovery Centre & Rothar Velo in Dublin 9.
  2. Frontline Bikes/ Frontline Make Change in Dublin 8.
  3. Treo Port Lairge CLG (aka Renew Enterprises) in Waterford.
  4. The Life Cycle Consortium in Galway – Westside Resource Centre and An Mheitheal Rothar.
  5. Sign & Cycle in Cork – Cork Community Cycles & Deaf Enterprises.

How it Works

The pilot fund will be administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development as part of its Community Services Programme, with funding of up to €3m provided by the Department of Transport over a three year period.

The pilot will support a number of social enterprises in 2021 and will, depending on the level of success of the pilot, seek to bring additional organizations into the initiative in 2022 with up to €3 million available to this pilot bike and e-bike upcycling initiative.

There were fourteen applications received and the five applicants listed above were approved for support under this pilot initiative.

This scheme will provide transport options to those on limited incomes, it will support training and employment opportunities for those who may have had difficulty accessing the mainstream labour market and reduce the number of bikes going to landfill through reuse and refurbishment to allow a second life.

Old Bikes – Collected for Recycling

At the announcement Minister O’Brien said:

“I would like to thank all those who submitted applications under this pilot initiative and I welcome the geographical spread of the successful organizations.

“The successful projects were chosen because they are very innovative and outline a model that has the potential for replication on a nationwide basis, thereby supporting the Programme for Government commitment to widening the eligibility of the Bike to Work Scheme to ensure that bikes are more accessible to those in our society who are most disadvantaged or marginalized. It is envisaged that the pilot projects will also provide training and employment and will help reduce the number of bikes going to landfill. These outcomes combined with the wider environmental and health benefits of increased bike use ensure that this pilot is a vitally important scheme and one I very much hope to build on over the coming years.”

Darragh O’Brien, TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 

Minister Ryan, whose Department will provide the funding for this pilot initiative, said:

“Bikes will get a second life, and the people building them will provide a vital service in their communities with these pilot projects. The demand for bicycles, parts and maintenance far exceeds supply in many places around the country. This scheme keeps valuable materials in circulation, builds local expertise, and will shorten the turnaround time for those who have come to rely on the bicycle as a convenient way of getting around.”

Eamon Ryan, TD, Minister for Transport and the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.

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 are happy to accept bikes that are beyond repair or reuse for safe and authorised metal recycling. Bikes of any shape or size can be dropped off free at our recycling centre. We can also offer a cost-effective collection service in Dublin.

During 2020 Recycle IT operated a curtailed drop off and collection services to homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of batteries, computers, cables, monitors, kettles.  microwaves and screens. We are open again in 2021 working within the COVID 19 guidelines.

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

IMG_0453 (2)
Recycle IT are Pakman Ireland Awards Winners – WEEE Recycling Champion 2019

Plastic Free July is here!

On By JMCEIn Climate change, Family, News, PlasticLeave a comment

What can you do this July?

Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics? Choosing to refuse plastic packaging in July might be an option for you!

Ask you family, friends, sports club or office to commit stop buying or using items packed in single-use plastic. Swap to a reusable alternative. For example, you could swap out takeaway coffee cups for a reusable one, you could start buying plastic-free toothbrushes or use a personal reusable water bottles and so on. 

Plastic Free Poster 1

Can you Refuse’ Single Use Plastic?

Each year in July people all over the world aim to exclude plastic bottles, cutlery, fruit packing, coffee cup lids and other common plastic waste items from their daily life, opting instead for reusable containers or those made from biodegradable materials.  We think this is a great idea and why not make it a year round effort at home and in the workplace. Change is good.

The vision started in Western Australia in 2011 and has since moved across the world to help promote and stop the earth becoming further saturated with plastic materials which are part of our convenience lifestyle.

Lots of items are designed to be used once and disposed of. They fill up bins in homes, work, schools and on streets across the world including Ireland with Irish town and city bins full to capacity most of the time.

Ireland and some other countries have made some progress with a tax on single-use plastic bags which reduced usage but problems still exist with millions of plastics bags, cutlery, bottles plates and cartons used daily.

This usage is rapidly increasing the amount of non-biodegradable product on the earth. These plastics may be cheap and convenient, but it’s having real consequences. Plastic is polluting our land, air, and oceans; it is harming our marine life and even invading our bodies with Microbeads everywhere.

Plastic Free Poster 2

Where to start – We have added 10 Tips to help

BRING YOUR OWN BAG: Get yourself a couple of good cloth bags and leave them in the car or beside the front door so you’ll always have them on hand.

DON’T BUY BOTTLED WATER: Get some reusable bottles and fit a cost-effective water filter to the taps in your home.

FRUIT CARTONS:  Avoid plastic fruit and vegetable packaging. A single plastic produce carton can take more than 1000 years to degrade so shop for unpackaged fruit and veg when you can or leave the plastic with the store.  They will get the idea!

DAILY COFFEE: Take away coffee cups are lined with plastic and often can’t be recycled. Take your own coffee cup or have a sit-down coffee using the cafe’s cups.

PACK A LUNCHBOX:  Use a good sturdy lunchbox with separate compartments, to allow you to pack food straight into separately, eliminating the need for plastic wrapping and avoid plastic-wrapped snack foods like biscuits or bars. Try making some at home, it cheaper and somewhat healthier.

PLASTIC FOOD WRAP: Buy some stainless steel or long plastic containers to help eliminate the need for single life plastic food wrapping.

STRAWS: If you really want a straw, buy reusable straws for use at home and demand reusable straws from your local takeaways or restaurants.

CUT PLASTIC CUTLERY: Plastic cutlery is another single-use plastic item you can avoid. Keep some reusable cutlery in your lunch or picnic bag.

SOURCE A SODA MAKER: This helps reduce the amount of plastic soft drinks bottles purchased, used and disposed of in your home and office weekly.

SHOP WISE: Ask your local shop and supermarket to make the change away from plastic or vote with your feet until they do. It will happen and think about all the waste which won’t enter your waste and the related time saved.

Plastic Free Poster 3

Plastic Free 2024 – what to do! 

Just join the challenge and ‘Choose To Refuse’ single-use plastic during 2024. You can assist in achieving the goals of having a world without plastic waste.  Will you join and give up? If so learn more, and sign up at www.plasticfreejuly.org

Did You Know?

An article in the Irish Times in 2018 reported Irish retailers here produce an estimated 80,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year. From a recent look on the shelves of my local supermarket not much has changed. Some tomatoes have a cardboard trays covered with plastic, flimsy plastic fruit bags are still in use in many supermarkets and cereals still have a plastic bag inside the box.

In general retailers across Europe may not be doing as much as we think that are doing to reduce plastic in our supermarket shopping!

The first-ever analysis of the role European supermarkets play in addressing plastic pollution, “Under wraps? What Europe’s supermarkets aren’t telling us about plastic” is a result of collaboration of over 20 NGOs, members of Break Free from Plastic movement, from across Europe.

Here in Ireland the Sick of Plastic Campaign has facilitated this report, reaching out to Ireland’s top five Supermarkets; Dunnes Stores, Supervalu (Musgraves), Tesco, LIDL and ALDI.

The specially designed ranking developed by The Changing Markets Foundation revealed a near-complete lack of ambition across three categories: Transparency and performance, Commitments, and Support for government policy.

Read the full article at VOICE Ireland.

Read the full report here. 

About Recycle IT

As you know lots of electrical, electronic and metal items are packed in plastic and have a plastic cover or coating. When these items are recycled the plastic is removed and mainly reused in new products. We do our best to aid this process but like you we we can struggle with everyday soft plastics used in the office or canteen. We do our best to reduce and this is why we follow Plastic Free July its helps with tips and guides change!

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Last year Recycle IT offered to drop off and collection services to 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.

Recycle IT Logo
Recycle IT Logo

Littering, Laws and Waste Labelling

On By JMCEIn Dublin, News, We Recycle ITLeave a comment

On May 5th 2021 Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, announced €5 million in additional funding for litter infrastructure and awareness campaigns to encourage people to dispose of their rubbish carefully.

As many more people meet and socialise outdoors, there has been a surge in littering. Councils plan to install more bins and assign additional staff to tackle the problem but we all can do more!

Dublin Litter

If you are out and about this summer please bring your litter home. If the bin is full don’t just leave your packaging, bottles or cans beside the bin. Lead by example and leave no trace.

May 5th 2021 also marks the publication of the 2020 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System (NLPMS) Results. The publication provide important statistical data on the extent, causes and composition of litter in Ireland.

In announcing the publication of the 2020 Results, Minister Ryan acknowledged the role being played by both local authorities and communities in tackling Ireland’s litter challenges and noted new proposals to combat litter.

Waste Laws

Public Places

Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence that can be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €150 and up to a maximum fine of €3000 if you are convicted of a litter offence in the District Court.

Local authorities across Ireland are responsible for keeping public places that they control, including public roads clean and litter free. This includes cleaning programmes and the provision and emptying of litter bins so let them know if you see full bins or ongoing littering in your area. Gardaí also have the power to issue on the spot fines for littering.

Household

Did you know your County Council has adopted waste Segregation, Storage and Presentation of Household and Commercial Waste Bye-Laws which will ensure a consistent approach to managing waste across Ireland.

Did you know failure to comply with any of the requirements of the waste bye-laws may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (Maximum €75) being issued by a member of your local County or City Council or by a member of An Garda Siochana and may result in a fine of up to €2,500 on conviction?

Waste Bye-Laws

These bye-laws apply to all households, apartments and commercial premises and aim to aid the prevention and control of environmental pollution.

What this really means   

Now the onus is on every individual, household, apartments and commercial premises to provide proof that they have a contract in place with an authorized waste collector or that they regularly use a recycling centre or civic amenity site. (a docket or receipt is can be provided on request at recycling centres).

By correctly managing your waste you will:

  • Help address challenges with climate
  • Improve the quantity and quality of recyclables collected
  • Reduce waste going to landfill and incineration
  • Conserve our planets limited resources

You can start to reduce waste by simply: 

  • Saying no to single-use disposable items like razors, batteries, wipes, coffee cups
  • Make a weekly shopping list for your groceries, and follow it
  • Stop or reduce packaging by buying loose produce and buying in bulk
  • Switch to rechargeable batteries
  • Place a no junk mail sticker on your letterbox
  • Some using plastic and especially single-use plastics
My Waste Ireland – Logo

Small Quantity – share a bin! 

The best and probably most affordable option in this instance is bin sharing with a family member or friend living in close proximity and maybe a less frequent collection. A letter from the bin account holder will be sufficient evidence, this account holder will then be obliged to provide evidence of contact with a permitted waste collection company.

Segregate recyclable

It’s important that you segregate recyclable waste from your residual waste and present these separately.  Please note: If you are living in an urban area, small town or village with a population of over 500 you are required to segregate food waste* Please don’t include metal, electronic or electrical waste with your recyclable or general waste. You can drop it to a recycling centre such as Recycle IT or have it collected by Recycle IT.

Benefits of Bye-Laws 

In our view, the waste bye-laws can encourage and increase formal recycling through drop off or collection for reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery. They will also encourage people to reduce their waste, separate their waste which leads to an increase in the quality of waste for collection.

Labelling

The three labels were launched in 2019. They are for use by producers, manufacturers and retailers on a are voluntary basis. The labels clearly identify whether an item is widely recycled, whether it is not recyclable, and whether more information should be sought before deciding how to dispose. Please look at your packaging for the labelling if unsure.

My Waste Posters

These labels were introduced at a time when two thirds of the plastic used by industry in packaging is non-recyclable in Ireland today. They aim to encourage enterprise to reduce their use of non-recyclable materials and use recycled, recyclable packaging.

Please click here to learn more or download information in Irish, Chinese, Polish or Russian on the waste bye-laws. You can read more about the new waste labelling system here

Guides to Waste Bye-Laws – Irish, Chinese, Polish or Russian

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT, are an award-winning Dublin based 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 Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

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 – COVID-19 – 2021

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

Overview 2021

Recycle IT plan to remain open for electrical, electronic and pure metal recycling DROP OFF and COLLECTIONS during Level 5 of the Plan for Living with Covid-19. Recycling services are included in the list of essential services which can operate.

Following a recent Cabinet meeting the Government has decided to introduce COVID-19 Level 5 restrictions during late December 2020. These restrictions are due to be in place until further notice.

The Government say that over the coming weeks, we have a real challenge individually and collectively. With much of society and the economy closed, we all have choices to make which will have a significant impact on how we manage Covid-19 in 2021. To learn more click here.

These restrictions mean all counties in Ireland are Level 5 from midnight on 30 December 2020. At present Level 5 restrictions will remain in place until further notice. The Government will monitor and issue regular updates based on the status of the virus and on public health advice.

COVID 19

The priority is to minimise disruption to essential services but again this is subject to change. This means that some services will be moved online and some businesses and public services will be closed. You can learn more by clicking here. At present school are closed but hope to reopen shortly. We encourage everyone to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – here are the links to the pages with information on the vaccine:

Recycling with Recycle IT

Recycle IT reopened in Jan 20201 with a drop off service only but resumed a limited collection service again from February 1st 2021 based on demand. We are offering a safe collections services to households, schools, community group, charities and business organisations in Dublin at present. We have published collection guidelines to help ensure safe collections for customers and our team. You can read the guidelines here.

If you wish to drop off electrical, electronic and pure metal recycling drop off you will find our address and a location map and further details here.

COVID-19 Public Health Advice

Some of our staff team will be able to work from home. Others delivering services directly to the public with be working safely from our facility in Clondalkin, Dublin 22. The team will following all health and safety guidelines with a focus on those specific to COVID 19. Team members will have there temperature recorded daily with hand washing, hand sanitization and social distancing a priority.

Phone calls will be answered during the hours of 9.30 am and 1.30 pm. Email is the best form of communication and will be monitored Monday to Friday from 9 am and 5 pm.

Help Prevent COVID 19

If you wish to book an electrical recycling collection from your home, school, community group or business Recycle IT will make every effort to support on reopening for collections.

Once collection resume, its worth noting all items for recycling will need to be accessible, disconnected and ready for collection. Recycle IT teams will be following social distancing guidelines. They are happy to collect the electronic and electrical equipment from drives, parking areas, outside common areas and other accessible & clear external location. We ask recyclers to remain mindful of social distancing and hand hygiene guidelines when recycling.

If you need further information on COVID 19 updates are available on the HSE-HPSC Website (updated daily at 12 noon) together with guidance and other relevant information.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT, is an award-winning social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling services through drop off and collection. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland and South Dublin County Council.

Recycle IT are supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development, Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across in Leinster.

For more information on Recycle IT please call 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Truck with Recycle IT Logo

Waste and Recycling list for Ireland

On By JMCEIn Awards, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, NewsLeave a comment

Waste List – what to recycle. 

Do you, your family, friends and colleagues at work really know the waste items which go in your different bins? Unsure what packaging goes where or can be recycled? Asking yourself what should go into the general waste bin?

The Recycling List Ireland is a national standardised list of items that are accepted as part of the recycling service throughout Ireland. The lists are really helpful! 

You will find the most recently published and nationally agreed household recycling waste list in picture format below as well as a downloadable booklet on Waste Prevention and Recycling Trick and Tips.

Remember if it’s not on the waste list it doesn’t belong in the bin. Please make sure that all items are clean, dry and placed loosely in the bin.

Waste Prevention Tips

Plastics 

Today we are recovering and recycling 35% of its plastic waste, considerably ahead of EU targets, but those targets were about to double. A yearly total of 95,000 tons of plastic are recycled, but this figure will need to increase to match the 190,000 tons which are the new target for Ireland. You can help by recycling the below plastics.

Rigid Plastic – Recycle IT

Tins and Cans 

Steel tins and cans are commonly used for anything from coffee to soup and pet food. They are one of the most recycled materials in Ireland. Recycling a tin or steel cans is easy, just give them a quick wash out and drop them in the bins.

Recycling Tin and Cans

Paper and Cardboard

Used paper and cardboard can be turned into new paper or cardboard, but the quality of the material usually diminishes with each recycling treatment. After five to seven reuses the material has reached its useful end but there is a solution – by adding new paper fibres to each recycling cycle paper is given lots for extra life. Good news for us!

Paper and Cardboard – Recycle IT

Recycled materials such as paper and cardboard, metals and plastic are commodities which can be sold on the global market but the prices and demand for material constantly fluctuate. In order for these materials to reach their maximum value they need to be presented clean and sorted so please do your best when placing them in the bin.

Waste list 1
Waste List – Clean, Empty, Loose.

Waste list –  why?

As you may be aware, China has introduced an import ban on 24 categories of solid waste, including a ban on some paper and plastics which are used by retailers as packaging for many household items. This packaging usually ends up in your recycling bin. The ban by China (which is their right) resulted in a problem for waste companies. It has been hard to find new outlets/countries to dispose of this waste. (you have to ask why should others accept our waste). This has resulted in prices increases with fees now introduced for green bin collections.

Please note, electrical, electronic or battery-operated items (including batteries) don’t go in the recycle bin. Old phones, kettles, toasters, electronic toys, batteries and  much more can be recycled with Recycle IT – You with find a full list of items here 

To download the most recent Waste Prevention and Recycling Tricks and Tips booklet click the link

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. During the last 18 months Recycle IT offer drop-off and collection service to 111,000 homes and organizations in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, screens, and metal items.

Old Electrical Items for Recycling
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) – Recycle IT

Our electrical community collection service is 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.

Call us on 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie

IMG_0453 (2)
Recycle IT – Repak Award Winner 2019 – WEEE Champion