♻️ Mattress Recycling Amnesty: South Dublin – Closed 🛏️
As the 2026 South Dublin County Council (SDCC) and Recycle IT Mattress Recycling Amnesty finished on Sept 26th 2026 we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part over the past few months.
Mattress recycling delivers benefits far beyond waste reduction. It helps households dispose of unwanted mattresses responsibly, keeps bulky waste out of communities and landfill, and recovers valuable materials for reuse. It also supports local employment, creating meaningful work opportunities while building a more sustainable, circular economy for everyone.
Mattress Recycling with Recycle IT
Mattresses – Sustainable Waste
This amnesty was delivered with success through a partnership between several organisations It has provided residents with an opportunity to responsibly recycle over 1500 unwanted mattresses free of charge. This really supports sustainable waste management in our community resulting in mattress breakdown and component recovery for reuse through the work of South Dublin County Council, Recycle IT and Bounce Back Recycling.
The weekend of Saturday Sept 26th is the final opportunity to drop off your mattress free of charge under the amnesty. You can drop off free on Saturday 26th Sept at the car park of South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 YNN5
Moving Forward
From Monday, the standard charge for mattresses dropped off directly to Recycle IT will apply: You can drop off between 8.30am and 4.15pm on Mondays – Thursdays and 8.30am and 3.15pm on Fridays. You will find contact detail here.
Recylce IT Collection Van
At present the standard drop off charge is €40.00 including VAT per mattress (any size)
If you require a mattress collection service in Dublin, an additional collection charge will apply.
Regrading a FREE mattress recycling amnesty in South Dublin for 2027, funding has to applied for and assigned to the initiative. We are usually made aware if it will go ahead, mid year so late June / July 2027.
We Appreciate Your Support
A big thank you once again to everyone who has recycled with us during the mattress amnesty 2026. Your participation has helped make a real difference and we appreciate your support in choosing responsible recycling with a social enterprise creating training and employment through sustainable recycling.
If you have any questions about mattress recycling or the services available from Monday onwards, please contact the Recycle IT team Monday–Friday on 01 457 8321.
♻️ Don’t miss the final weekend of free mattress recycling!
Thank you for helping us recycle responsibly. 🌍
Recycle IT Logo
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.
Ireland recycled a record 21.1 million electrical and electronic waste items in 2025, marking another significant increase in the country’s e-waste recycling efforts.
However, despite the record volume of electrical waste collected, Ireland still fell short of the European Union’s 65% e-waste collection target, according to new figures from WEEE Ireland.
The organisation’s latest annual report shows that almost 39,000 tonnes of e-waste were collected across Ireland during 2025 — equivalent to approximately 7,425 truckloads.
The number of items collected also increased substantially from 18.8 million in 2024.
Electronic Recycling At Work
What Electrical Waste Was Recycled in Ireland?
Small electrical appliances accounted for the vast majority of items collected in 2025.
WEEE Ireland reported the recycling of:
18.5 million small appliances
1.9 million lighting products
278,222 TVs and monitors
123,060 fridge-freezers
The figures highlight the growing volume of electrical equipment being diverted from general waste and instead entering dedicated recycling systems.
Why Did Ireland Miss the EU E-Waste Collection Target?
Despite achieving record e-waste recycling volumes, Ireland remains below the EU’s 65% collection target.
WEEE Ireland says the issue is partly linked to how the target is calculated.
Under the current European system, a country’s e-waste collection rate is measured against the amount of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market during the previous three years.
In 2025, Irish producers placed around 25kg of household electrical equipment per person on the market.
The system, WEEE Ireland argues, does not fully reflect the increasingly long lifespan of modern electrical products.
Many products can remain in use for considerably longer than three years before eventually becoming waste.
This is particularly relevant for newer technologies such as solar PV systems and heat pumps, which can remain operational for decades.
As a result, equipment sold today can influence future collection targets even though it may not enter the recycling system for many years.
E-Waste – Collected by Recycle IT
WEEE Ireland Calls for a Modern E-Waste Measurement System
Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland, said Irish consumers are recycling more electrical waste than ever, but argued that the EU’s current measurement system was designed for a very different market.
He said current collection targets do not adequately account for modern consumption patterns, longer product lifespans or emerging technologies.
The comments come as the EU WEEE Directive is being re-evaluated, creating an opportunity to reconsider how national e-waste recycling performance is measured.
WEEE Ireland supports a more modern approach that better reflects how electrical products are purchased, used and eventually discarded.
Ireland Exceeds EU E-Waste Recovery Requirement
While Ireland did not meet the EU collection target, the latest figures show strong performance when it comes to recovering materials from collected e-waste.
An average of 82% of materials collected were recovered for reuse in manufacturing, exceeding the EU recovery requirement of 80%.
Meanwhile, 84% of counties increased their WEEE recycling rates year-on-year.
This suggests that the debate around e-waste should not focus solely on the quantity of waste collected.
How effectively valuable materials are recovered and returned to manufacturing is becoming an increasingly important measure of circular economy performance.
Battery Recycling in Ireland Continues to Grow
Ireland also achieved the EU’s 45% collection target for portable waste batteries, with WEEE Ireland collecting 1,284 tonnes during 2025.
Lithium battery collections have more than doubled over the past five years.
That increase reflects the growing number of products powered by rechargeable batteries, from consumer electronics to electric devices and other technologies.
Vape recycling is another emerging issue. More than 1.4 million vape devices were recycled through WEEE Ireland’s national takeback scheme in 2025.
Why Critical Raw Materials Matter
The growing volume of e-waste presents both an environmental challenge and an opportunity to recover valuable resources.
Electrical and electronic products contain critical raw materials including lithium, copper, cobalt and aluminium.
Recovering these materials through effective recycling can help reduce the need for virgin raw materials while supporting Europe’s ambitions to improve resource security and develop a more circular economy.
WEEE Ireland says the focus needs to move beyond simply collecting electrical waste.
The next stage is ensuring that valuable materials are recovered to high standards and kept within the manufacturing cycle for as long as possible.
How Can Consumers Recycle Electrical Waste in Ireland?
Consumers can play an important role in increasing Ireland’s e-waste recycling rate.
Old, broken or unwanted electrical items and waste batteries can be recycled free of charge through a number of collection routes, including:
Local authority civic amenity centres
Participating electrical retailers
WEEE Ireland collection events
Dedicated battery collection points
Electrical equipment should not be placed in general household waste where dedicated recycling facilities are available.
Ireland’s E-Waste Challenge Is Changing
Ireland’s record 21.1 million recycled electrical items in 2025 demonstrates that consumers are increasingly using dedicated e-waste recycling systems.
Heat Pump / Air Con – Photo by alpha innotec on Pexels.com
Yet the country’s failure to meet the EU collection target raises questions about whether the current measurement system accurately reflects the modern electrical goods market.
With products such as heat pumps, solar PV systems, rechargeable batteries and other technologies becoming increasingly common — and often remaining in service for many years — the way Europe measures e-waste recycling may need to evolve.
The future of Ireland’s e-waste strategy is therefore likely to involve more than simply collecting greater quantities of discarded electrical equipment.
It will also depend on recovering more valuable materials, improving recycling quality and keeping critical resources within the circular economy.
Ireland may have missed the EU’s collection target in 2025, but the record volume of electrical waste recycled shows that significant progress is being made.
Recycle IT is anaward-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
Replacing an old mattress often leaves householders with one important question – what do I do with the old one? From early August through to late September 2026, that question has a simple answer.
Mattresses for Recycling in the Community
Recycle IT, in partnership with South Dublin County Council (SDCC), is delighted to launch a Free Household Mattress Recycling Amnesty, giving residents the opportunity to recycle unwanted household mattresses responsibly and completely free of charge.
The initiative aims to make household mattress recycling more accessible while reducing waste, supporting the circular economy and helping to keep communities across South Dublin clean and free from illegal dumping.
Free Mattress Recycling Drop-Off at Recycle IT
Throughout the amnesty period, householders can bring unwanted mattresses directly to the Recycle IT recycling facility in Clondalkin, where they will be accepted free of charge.
Every mattress received will enter an authorised recycling process where valuable materials such as steel springs, timber, foam, textiles and fibres are separated and recovered for reuse wherever possible. This helps divert bulky waste from landfill while ensuring recyclable materials remain in productive use. Recycle IT operates as a not-for-profit social enterprise in cooperation with South Dublin County Council and other recycling partners to deliver environmental and community benefits.
Directions to Recycle IT
Directions to Recycle IT Recycling Centre:
The recycling facility is located at: Unit 14/2 Crag Terrace, Clondalkin Industrial Estate, Dublin D22 TK37
Recycle IT will be open between 9.30am – 3pm, Monday to Friday for mattress drop from Tuesday, August 4th to Friday September 25th, 2026
Call us on 01 4578321
Community Mattress Collection Events
Recognizing that not everyone can transport a mattress to the recycling centre, Recycle IT and South Dublin County Council will also organise a series of Community Mattress Collection Days throughout the amnesty period.
Mattress Recycling Community Events – Click to Enlarge
These local collection events will take place at authorised drop-off locations across South Dublin, making recycling even easier for residents.
Instead of travelling to Clondalkin, householders will be able to bring their old mattresses to designated community collection points closer to home.
These community events demonstrate how local partnerships can deliver practical environmental solutions while making recycling more convenient for everyone.
Why Recycle a Mattress?
Many people don’t realise that a mattress contains several recyclable materials.
These include:
Steel springs
Timber
Foam
Cotton
Polyester fibres
Fabric coverings
When processed correctly, these materials can be recovered and reused in manufacturing new products.
Without recycling, bulky mattresses occupy valuable landfill space for many years while wasting materials that still have significant value.
The Mattress Recycling Amnesty supports Ireland’s move towards a more circular economy, where products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible.
Instead of disposing of useful resources, recycling allows valuable components to be recovered and used again.
This reduces demand for new raw materials, lowers manufacturing impacts and supports more sustainable production.
Every mattress recycled contributes to reducing waste while improving resource efficiency.
Environmental Benefits
Recycling a mattress may seem like a small action, but collectively it makes a significant difference.
The benefits include:
Reducing bulky waste entering landfill.
Recovering valuable recyclable materials.
Conserving natural resources.
Lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing new materials.
Supporting sustainable waste management.
Helping keep neighbourhoods cleaner.
When thousands of householders recycle rather than dispose of mattresses, the environmental impact is substantial.
Benefits for Householders
The Mattress Recycling Amnesty has been designed to make responsible recycling as easy as possible.
Householders will benefit from:
Free mattress recycling throughout the campaign.
Convenient drop-off at the Recycle IT facility.
Additional community collection locations across South Dublin.
Confidence that mattresses are recycled through authorised facilities.
An easy alternative to costly disposal services.
Cost effective personal collection service. (No access to transport / very large mattress / multiple mattress for collection from a home.
Many people store unwanted mattresses for months because they are unsure how to dispose of them responsibly.
This initiative removes that barrier and provides a simple solution.
Working Together for Cleaner Communities
Illegal dumping of mattresses continues to affect many communities throughout Ireland.
Dumped mattresses spoil neighbourhoods, damage green spaces, attract additional waste and increase clean-up costs.
The partnership between Recycle IT and South Dublin County Council aims to encourage responsible disposal by making recycling easy, accessible and free.
By providing both central and community-based collection options, the initiative helps remove barriers that can sometimes lead to illegal dumping while encouraging greater public participation in recycling. Recycle IT has a long-standing relationship with South Dublin County Council in delivering community recycling initiatives and environmental awareness programmes.
Everyone Can Make a Difference
If you have an unwanted mattress in your home, garage, attic or spare room, now is the perfect opportunity to recycle it responsibly.
From Tuesday, August 4th until Friday September 25th, 2026, simply bring your mattress to the Recycle IT recycling centre free of charge or visit one of the authorised community collection events taking place across South Dublin.
Together, Recycle IT, South Dublin County Council and local residents can recover valuable materials, reduce landfill waste, discourage illegal dumping and create cleaner, greener communities for future generations.
For directions to the recycling facility and updates on community collection dates see below
Recycle IT will be open for free drop off between 9.30am and 3pm on Mondays – Friday. (Recycle IT don’t open on Bank Holidays).
You will find telephone, map and address details here
Reducing and reusing materials in workplaces like, schools, colleges, shops, offices and warehouses is one of the simplest ways to cut costs, reduce waste, and run a more sustainable operation. Small changes, done consistently, can make a real difference across your daily, repeatable, step-by-step routines you follow to get your work done, from start to finish. Think about how to include reuse and recycling into daily routines.
Reduce and Reuse – Photo by Martina Ignacia on Pexels.com
Recycling and reusing at work shows both staff and customers that your organisation takes responsibility for its impact. It signals that sustainability isn’t just a policy—it’s part of everyday decisions.
When you encourage a culture of awareness, teamwork, and pride in doing things properly, colleagues are more likely to follow good reduce, reuse and recycling practices. Once supported and normalized in the workplace, reuse and recycling efforts will take hold, continue and extend into home life!
For customers, it builds trust. It shows your business is forward-thinking, responsible, and committed to reducing waste—not just talking about it.
Reuse – Photo by Haftohasht Innovation Studio on Pexels.com
Overall, visible recycling and reuse demonstrate leadership, accountability, and a genuine commitment to sustainability.
21 practical reuse tips
Reuse sturdy boxes for internal shipments and storage.
Turn used pallets into shelving or workbenches.
Refill and reuse printer cartridges where possible.
Use both sides of paper before recycling.
Repurpose old folders for internal documents.
Store small parts in cleaned, reused containers.
Reuse bubble wrap and packing materials.
Turn damaged pallets into repair parts.
Share surplus supplies between departments.
Reuse cable ties and fasteners when safe.
With permission use scrap wood for projects at home.
Reassign older equipment to less demanding tasks.
Use refillable water bottles and dispensers.
Repurpose jars or tins for tool storage.
Reuse envelopes for internal mail.
Set up a reuse station for shared materials.
Repair items before replacing them.
Donate usable surplus equipment.
Reuse signage by updating inserts instead of replacing frames.
Building a reuse mindset doesn’t require major investment—just awareness and consistency. Over time, these habits reduce waste, save money, and create a more efficient and environmentally responsible workplace for everyone involved in daily operations.
Consistent reuse is important. When every team member follows the agreed small actions daily, waste is reduced, costs are saved, and the workplace becomes more efficient and environmentally responsible over time while encouraging stronger environmental awareness and teamwork.
For example, Recycle IT are well aware that recycling metal is crucial for sustainability, as it allows materials like aluminum and steel to be reprocessed indefinitely without losing quality. By collecting and sending metal for melting and purifying, we cut CO2 emissions and save significant energy compared to mining virgin ore. It reduces landfill waste, protects resources, and supports a cleaner, more sustainable future for businesses and local communities alike.
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT is a not-for-profit social enterprise providing a community collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Yearly Recycle IT collect from thousands of organizations in Dublin and surrounding areas. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland, with support from South Dublin County Council, South Dublin Country Partnership, Pobal and the Irish Government.
Recycle IT is authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities in the Eastern Midlands Waste Region.
Recycle IT as a social enterprise is part-funded through the Community Services Programme operated by Pobal. Any income earned is used to finance operations which include the provision of training and employment opportunities.
