Category: News

Climate Action – Take small recycling steps!

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

What we can do!

Recycling allows materials to be reused, re-purposed, recycled and recovered over and over. Waste sent to landfill sites and incinerators does not drive reuse and costs Irish taxpayers, millions of euros every year. Yet much of this cost and waste could be saved by recycling.

Waste of all types produce emissions of greenhouse gases including methane, a powerful greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change and after the severe weather events and natural disasters over recent years, we can all see the effects of this change first hand.

School climate strike, crowd scene, Dublin, 15 March 2019
School Climate Strike – Photo credited to Christian Aid Ireland

Targets

Ireland has committed to a legally-binding EU target. This means reducing greenhouse gas emissions coming from agriculture; transport, residential buildings, commercial activity, “non-energy intensive industry” and waste including incineration.

Ireland is obliged to cut its emissions in total by 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels, under its Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. In 2017 the Irish Government published a National Mitigation Plan explaining how it intended to meet that goal.

The then Minister for Communications, Climate Action, and Environment have said that it is likely to cost the State up to €150 million to pay for carbon credits to compensate for the fact that Ireland will fail to meet its 2020 greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy targets.

Energy consumption accounted for 60% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2017. Transport, residential and industry accounted for the highest shares of emissions. (Source SEAI). As our economy grows these emissions are likely to increase further.

Climate Change
Climate Change Ireland

The 2018 report from Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe gives Ireland a total score of 21 % on fighting climate change, making it one of the only three EU countries that scored less than 30% along with Estonia (24%) and Poland (16 %). (Source: Green News Ireland).

Recent Judgment

On July 31st 2020 the Irish Supreme Court ruled that Ireland as a nation needs to strengthen it’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) published in 2019. In a case brought by Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE), they argued that the plan was not “fit for purpose” because it was not designed to achieve substantial emission reductions in either the short or medium-term.

Clodagh Daly, a spokesperson for Climate Case Ireland, described the judgment as “really significant”. “The unanimous ruling by seven supreme court judges has made it crystal clear that the Irish Government cannot set long-term commitments without showing how they will be achieved in the short term,”

Climate Ireland
Climate Action Plan 2019

Eamon Ryan (TD) and current Irish Government’s Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport, welcomed the judgment and congratulated FIE for taking the “important” case.

The government now must set real actionable targets. Please click the image above to download a copy of the Climate Action Plan 2019.

Help by Recycling

Ireland’s apparent inability to meet its obligations for emissions reduction is cross-sectoral with some sectors of society simply doing little to help. Fixes such as increased working at home and eco-friendly public transport will happen but immediate action can be taken by simply by reducing, reusing or safely recycling items from around your home, school, warehouse, store or office. (really think about what to do with old stuff and do you need new stuff).

In a number of areas in Dublin, the local authorities work in partnership with Recycle IT to offer residential collections for electrical and electronic waste.

This free collection service is usually an annual service offered too or requested by residents groups in Dublin and surrounding areas. The service really helps people safely dispose of large and small electrical, electronic and metal appliances and equipment.

Recycling Helps
Recycle IT – Recycling Helps

Household collections are held on an agreed and specific day or week. Your resident’s association will notify you of your collection day usually 3 – 5 days in advance with a message via whats app or text with further reminders a few days before collection.

You can also contact us if unsure if the item you have for recycling will be accepted as part of collection Just email Recycle IT directly

Some Household Recycling Guidelines

When putting items out for a recycling collection remember:

  • to keep the piles tidy inside your garden, or on the curb so the footpath or roadway is kept clear
  • If you think an unofficial collection is taking place, call us and we will arrange a collection from your door
  • if in an office move items to the ground floor to allow for speedy collection
  • let us know if items can’t be easily and safely lifted by two collection team members?
  • notify us in advance if items need to move out of your home. (we can offer some guidance based on Covid19 best practices).
  • notify us in advance about sharp or dangerous objects.
  • keep items secured if severe weather is expected.

Recycle IT also support business customers with cost-effective recycling options. We collect and recycle all types of office equipment from the office kitchens to electronic items used on the office desk.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT, is an award-winning nonprofit 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 Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow. For more information on Recycle IT please call 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit our website www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT

Social Enterprise – Buying for Community Impact

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

Business like any Other! 

A social enterprise is an enterprise, which operates like a business but also pays attention to reducing community concerns and challenges in areas like training, employment, housing, care, education, environmental pollution, recycling and more. Actions and impacts are achieved through business operations. Recycle IT is a social enterprise based in Dublin.

You will agree most rational consumers make a purchase decision based on the exchange of value, usually money. Most of the traditional buying decisions are based on product or service quality, value, performance or benefits so a social enterprise has to match this expectation. It”s just not good enough to be a not for profit social enterprise and trade on that!!

Trading Through Social Enterprise

Conscious Consumers 

Becoming a social consumer is about making socially responsible choices when spending your hard-earned income. Thinking about how best to spend your earnings can be an easy way of taking responsibility for your choices and purchase decisions.

In our estimation, the number of socially conscious consumers in Ireland taking responsibility is on the rise. As more social enterprises offer great and in-demand products and services consumers are happy to use their spending power on those products and services. When you decide to buy from a social enterprise, your spending is reused to support a range of social endeavours.

A large portion of social enterprises in Ireland work with individuals or are located in socially and economically disadvantaged communities. Their goals can include creating training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups such as early school leavers, people with differing abilities, ethnic groups, ex-offenders and others. 

Making the Difference

When you buy from a social enterprise you actually invest in people, not profit. You can really help make changes to the lives of others by improving communities around you. Your decision to purchase can help support people in learning new skills, building confidence, working in teams and earning an income for delivering products and/or service in communities all over Ireland.

Change is Good

Lots of social enterprises offer innovation around their products and service offering meaning that you will get great quality and reliability;  whether that’s FairTrade coffee, hand-stitched clothes, second-hand furniture or easy mattress recycling.

Buying social doesn’t have to mean skimping on quality. Do your research on local social enterprises, check reviews to see what others say and call to learn more. If you like what you see or hear,  why not give them a try.

Customer Journey

Feeling Connected

It can be hard to know where your money ends up when you buy from larger organisations. Sometimes you need to check if companies are connected to operations in other countries and if your money could end supporting an unethical or environmentally hazardous activity, employing child labour or polluting rivers and lakes. When you buy from a local social enterprise, their business practices are generally transparent and guided by local rules and regulation. You should feel better knowing your money is being used for positive impacts.

Experience

Over the last few years Recycle IT has seen a greater number of organisational and personal consumers consider our social enterprise as an option and solution for their electrical, electronic and metal recycling needs. There is no reason why this experience can be shared by other social enterprises once consumers are aware, have a need and are willing to spend! 

European Picture

The EU has helped complied country reports to provide a comprehensive picture of social enterprises and their eco-systems in France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Slovakia, Poland and Ireland based on a common definition. A concise EU report sums up key lessons on the recent developments in Europe.

An important finding is that both social economy and social enterprises have shown resilience and job retention during economic crises and beyond

In Closing 

Growth of social enterprise is an emerging trend worldwide. Climate change, human vulnerability, environmental degradation, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, mental health, differing abilities, unethical business practices are some of the factors driving growth.

Team Work

The characteristics of social enterprises demonstrate they are businesses which trade for social purposes including change. They reinvest surplus earning in their primary goals and work to maintain a high ethical standard in the delivery of products and/or services.

We encourage you to find social enterprises close to you and if suitable use their offerings to address your needs, in other words, buy from them if it suits you!

You will find a list of social enterprises (some, not all) operating in Ireland here

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 Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

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

Van 2020
Van with Recycle IT Logo

 

 

 

Social Enterprise Policy – News Update

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

The Policy Launch

The Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring, T.D.  launched the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 on Thursday 18th July 2019  at 10.30 in the offices of Speedpak Ltd., a social enterprise based at Clonshaugh Business & Technology Park in Coolock, Dublin.

This launch event follows the publication of the draft National Policy on Social Enterprise for public consultation earlier this year. This consultation process sought the views of stakeholders and the public in order to further inform the new policy.

2019 Social Enterprise Policy Cover
National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022

The policy defines social enterprises as businesses whose core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Social Enterprises frequently work to support disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, travelers, etc., or to address issues such as food poverty, social housing, or environmental matters.

Key Focus

The new National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland is focused on three key objectives:

  1. Building Awareness of Social Enterprise;
  2. Growing and Strengthening Social Enterprise and
  3. Achieving Better Policy Alignment.

The policy document sets out a series of 26 commitments on the part of Government across these objectives for the development of social enterprise over the period 2019-2022. These commitments will be delivered in partnership with social enterprise stakeholders.

Minster Ring addressed those attending the launch event saying “For many years, social enterprises have provided a flexible and effective model which has delivered a positive response to social and societal issues. Social enterprises deliver a range of services across a wide spectrum of activities through their business model. They are innovative and entrepreneurial and frequently find new ways to address social, societal or environmental challenges in areas such as employment activation, affordable childcare, and the green economy. In doing so, social enterprises contribute significantly to the delivery of many Government policy objectives.”

A copy of the  National Social Enterprise Policy is available here.

19 SE Policy Event1
Event speakers and attendees including Minister Michael Ring, T.D

The National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland is part of a suite of policy initiatives from the Department of Rural and Community Development to support those who work with communities and disadvantaged groups. Other initiatives include a new Strategy for the Community and Voluntary Sectors and a new National Volunteering Strategy, which will be published later in 2019.

Training Fund

On Sept 2nd, 2019, Mr. Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, announced €800,000 in funding for the provision of training and mentoring for social enterprises throughout Ireland. The funding will be provided from the Dormant Accounts Fund and will support one of the key policy commitments in the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland which is detailed above.

Minister Ring 13 NEWS II Dail 6 TB
Mr. Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development

Pobal recently invited Expressions of Interest on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development for the delivery of training and mentoring from national, regional or local organizations or networks that have a demonstrable track record in the delivery of training and mentoring to social enterprises.

Statutory bodies or institutions, including Higher Education Institutions, which have a proven track record in providing direct supports and training to social enterprises, are eligible to apply.

This training initiative delivers on the commitment made in the National Social Enterprise Policy. and up to 300 participants are likely to benefit from the provision of training and mentoring supports over the next 12 months.

Events

As well as training there are a number of events taking place in Dublin and around the country to inform people about social enterprise and illustrate real examples of social enterprise. Information on these events can be found on websites such as Pobal, the Irish Local Development Network,  the Wheel, the Irish Social Enterprise Network, and local economic development or enterprise offices within the county councils across Ireland.

You can also save the date for the National Social Enterprise Conference on 21st November 2019. The conference run by the Department of Rural and Community Development will be taking place in Croke Park. If interested you should keep an eye out for registration which will be live shortly.

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 2018 Recycle IT operated drop off and collection services to tens of thousands of 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.

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 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
Recycle IT

 

Recycle IT – Learning with Communities

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

Technological University Dublin

The Community Engagement Programme, Students Learning with Communities has worked with over 100 community organizations as partners on real-life projects that benefit the lives of many individuals while also enhancing student learning.

205-CMN_5054 twitter-600x428

Since 2008, over 10,000 students and 170 staff at DIT now Technological University (TU) Dublin have collaborated on over 500 projects in Ireland and internationally. The Community Engagement Programme is managed by the Access and Civic Engagement Office at TU Dublin.

Learning

Learning with Communities allows students to improve their knowledge on a range of subjects in collaboration with community organisations. Student groups engage in a specific project or tasks with a chosen community organization.  The programme is mutually beneficial as it;

  1. Progresses the community organization’s aims and objectives.
  2. Enables community partner to become part of the education process contributing to the academic and professional development of the student.
IMG_2247
Award-Winning TU Business Analytics Students

Many undergraduate programmes at TU Dublin offer students the opportunity to become involved in collaborative projects in the community. Students gain an understanding of the efforts required to generate real and sustaining value and their insight can enable organisations to think about doing things differently.

Benefits

Recycle IT have engaged over a number of years and find the TU Dublin Community Engagement Programme very helpful and worthwhile.  During 2018/ 2019 students learned how Recycle IT, operate as a social enterprise to achieve its social, economic and environmental goals.  The student groups learn about the limitations and constraints faced and got an overview of the services provided which benefit communities, charities, business, and employment.

Recycle IT try to encourage students to become advocates for social enterprise by sharing news on their outputs with other students and academic staff during college and with colleagues when employed.

TU Dublin
TU Dublin Logo

Overall the engagement with TU students in 2019 helped generate new ideas and has identified some advances which once implemented will enhance recycling capabilities, data entry, and reporting.

As a result of our engagement Recycle IT was invited to attend the annual TU Dublin City Campus, Students Learning With Communities Awards. The award event happened in St. Laurence’s Church, TU Grangegorman in Dublin 7 on May 7th, 2019 with student and community partner certificates presented by Prof Brian Norton, TU Dublin Principal of TU Dublin City Campus.

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Recycle IT – TU Dublin Community Partner

Recycle IT were delighted to be presented with a Learning With Communities Award following our engagement with a group of students from TU Dublin, City Campus, Aungier Street. The students studied Business Analytics and through the engagement,  shared their knowledge and learning with Recycle IT.

Based on our attendance and experience the awards really do celebrate the great work and joint effort of students, academic staff and community partners.

To learn more please click here

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
Recycle IT – Collecting all over Dublin

Electrical Recycling in Work Initiative 2019

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical Recycling, News, We Recycle ITLeave a comment

Recycling your old Electrical Equipment in Work 

Electrical and electronic equipment such as computers, TVs, fridges, tablets, and mobile phones are some of the fastest-growing waste streams in the EU, with some 9 million tonnes generated in 2005, and expected to grow to more than 12 million tonnes by 2020. (Source: The European Commission)

Electrical Items for Recycling
Recycle IT – General Household Electrical Items for Recycling

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) combines a mixture of materials, components, and hazardous content. If not properly managed this mixture can cause major environmental and health concerns. It also worth noting the production of new electronics requires the use of scarce and expensive resources (e.g. around 10% of total gold worldwide is used for their production).

Collection, treatment, and recycling of electronics at the end of their life is therefore essential. This process helps improve the management of old electrical and electronic equipment and contributes positively to a circular economy and enhance resource efficiency. It also helps maintain and create jobs in our local economy.

Recylce IT - Old Computer Equipment
Recycle IT – Old Computer Equipment

WEEE to Work Initiative 2019

In order to help with recycling old electrical appliances, Recycle IT are offering organizations of all shapes and sizes based in South Dublin the opportunity to host a WEEE to Work event which will allow staff to recycle all old electrical and electronic equipment. All you need to do is contact our office to book your collection. Please remember we need a minimum for 50 – 60 electrical items to make the collection a success, both from a cost and environmental perspective. Items for recycling can be large or small.

You can recycle any dual-purpose home or small office items with a plug or battery, free, including batteries through a free collection all supported by Recycle IT. Please find a full PDF lists here of the type of items recycled.

WEEE To Work with Recycle IT 2018
WEEE To Work with Recycle IT in 2019

Recycle IT will provide the collection team, help and transport to collect items from a central location on a pre-arranged day, usually in the morning after 9am and before 1pm.

As part of the Spring Clean and Reuse Month initiatives, South Dublin Country Council have agreed to have a WEEE recycling receptacle available in their offices in Tallaght to allow staff to recycle. during April and Oct each year.  Your company can follow their lead by placing a reusable receptacle e.g. a large box or bin in your building for the collection of old electrical items.

Please note, Recycle IT are not in a position to provide receptacles as it not environmentally, time or cost-friendly. 

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 services to 110,000 homes and organizations in Dublin and surrounding areas over the last 18 months collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of dishwashers, computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, TV’s and metal items.

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

Recycle IT – JCI Friendly Business Award Winner 2019