Dublin Mattress Recycling – Final Weeks

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A Positive Recycling Upswing

South Dublin has seen a remarkable surge in mattress recycling this August and September, thanks to the Mattress Amnesty initiative. With the help of Recycle IT and the strong backing of South Dublin County Council, more households than ever are taking the opportunity to responsibly dispose of their old mattresses—and the results are already making a difference.

And now, you will have a one time opportunity to recycled household hazardous liquids, mattresses and electrics FREE on Sept 27th – See the flyer below.

What’s been happening

  • The amnesty, which began on August 11th 2025 and runs until Saturday, September 27th has allowed residents across the county to drop off unwanted mattresses for free—no fees, no hassle.
  • Multiple drop-off locations and community collection events were organised to make things convenient.
  • As a side-benefit, the scheme is helping reduce instances of fly-tipping and illegal dumping of bulky items. When disposing of large mattresses is made easy and free, far fewer end up abandoned in fields, laneways or beside roads.

Why this upswing matters

  • Environmental savings: Mattresses are bulky, heavy, and difficult to break down. By recycling materials (metal springs, foam, wood, fabric), the amnesty reduces waste going into landfills and conserves resources. Recycle IT
  • Cleaner communities: Fewer dumped mattresses means less blight, less risk, and — just as importantly — lower clean-up costs for local authorities.
  • Greater awareness: Many people report that they simply didn’t know recycling mattresses was possible or affordable before. The amnesty has raised awareness about how easy proper disposal can be when supports are in place.

Final collection days: Don’t miss out

If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the amnesty, there are still two final chances to recycle your mattress freely:

  • Wednesday September 17th 20025 – public collection day – Killinarden Community Centre, D24 WV6V.
  • Saturday 27th September 2025 – final public collection day – South Dublin County Council County Hall, D24 A3XC.
  • Friday Sept 26th 2025 – final drop off day at Recycle IT, D22 TK37.

This initiative has now CLOSED – You will get further detials here.

Make sure to check the drop-off locations and times in advance. Bring your mattress, help South Dublin stay clean, green and sustainable.

Just to note: On Saturday Sept 27th you can recycle mattresses, household electrical equipment and hazardous liquids free with a drop off to the car park at South Dublin County Council County Hall, D24 A3XC.

Household hazardous liquids are everyday products that can be harmful to people, pets, or the environment if not disposed of safely. Common examples include:

  • Paints and thinners
  • Pesticides and weed killers
  • Cleaning agents (bleach, ammonia, strong detergents)
  • Solvents and adhesives
  • Automotive fluids (oil, antifreeze, brake fluid)

Big thanks where due

A huge thanks to South Dublin County Council for making this Mattress Amnesty happen again this year — for funding it, organizing it, and promoting it. Recycle IT are delighted to run the logistics: the drop-off sites, the community events, and all the behind-the-scenes work. The initiative showcases what’s possible when council, community organisations, and residents all pull together.

Every mattress recycled is one less going into landfill or dumped irresponsibly, and that’s thanks to you as much as the organizers. Let’s finish strong in the coming weeks.

About Recycle IT

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

Recycle IT is supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across the east midlands waste region.

Our goal is to create training and employment opportunities through the provision of waste management services. Surplus earned income is reinvested in operational, and employment-related costs.

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

Weather, Climate and Reuse

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Autumn Reuse – Home, Work, and School

Autumn is a season of change. The leaves turn bright colors, the air feels cooler, and days become shorter. It is also the perfect season to think about reuse and how small actions at home, work, and school can make a big difference in caring for our planet. To understand why reuse is important, it helps to know the difference between climate and weather.

Talking about climate – not weather – Bambaw

Reuse Climate and Weather

Weather is what we see and feel outside each day. It might be sunny, rainy, windy, or cold. Weather changes quickly, sometimes in just a few hours. Climate, however, is the pattern of weather in a place over a long time, usually decades. For example, we say a place has a warm climate if it is hot most of the year, even though some days may be cooler. Climate change means the long-term patterns of Earth’s weather are shifting, often because of human actions like burning fossil fuels and wasting resources. Reuse helps slow down climate change by reducing waste and lowering pollution.

The real impact of climate actions – Royal Meteorological Society

Reuse at Home

At home during autumn, families can find many ways to reuse. Old clothes that are too small can be passed down to younger children, instead of buying new ones. Jars and containers from food can be cleaned and used to store leftovers or organize supplies. Autumn leaves can be gathered and turned into compost for gardens, instead of being thrown away. Even holiday decorations can be reused each year rather than buying new items. By reusing, households throw away less, which means fewer bin trucks on the road and less energy wasted.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Tips from WWF Australia

Reuse at Work

Workplaces can also reuse materials in simple ways. Offices can print on both sides of the paper, or better yet, reuse scrap paper for notes. Coffee mugs and reusable bottles are smarter choices than single-use cups. Old office supplies like folders, binders, and envelopes can often be used again instead of buying new ones.

Goal 12: SDG – Ensure sustainable consumption and production

During autumn and in the lead up to Christmas, many workplaces also use decorations. These can be stored carefully and reused each year, reducing costs and waste. When workers reuse, businesses spend less money, reduce landfill waste, and lower their impact on the climate

Reuse at School

Schools are perfect places to practice reuse. Students can reuse notebooks by filling in every page, and teachers can save supplies like rulers, scissors, and art materials for the next class. Bulletin board decorations can be stored and used again each autumn. Lunchboxes, reusable water bottles, and cloth napkins are all better for the environment than disposable items. Even sports uniforms and books can be passed down to new students. By reusing, schools teach children that caring for the planet is a daily habit.

Find 10 suggestions for your school listed below

  • Reuse paper – Write on both sides or use scrap paper for notes and drafts.
  • Refill water bottles – Encourage students to bring reusable bottles instead of disposable ones.
  • Save supplies – Store scissors, rulers, and glue sticks for use year after year.
  • Reuse books – Share textbooks, novels, and workbooks with other classes or pass them down.
  • Lunch containers – Bring food in reusable lunchboxes and cloth napkins instead of plastic bags.
  • Reuse decorations – Save posters, banners, and seasonal art for the next year.
  • Uniform exchange – Organize swap days so students can pass on outgrown uniforms.
  • Art projects – Use clean scrap materials (like cardboard, jars, or fabric) for crafts.
  • Bulletin boards – Reuse display materials by updating them instead of starting from scratch.
  • Technology reuse – Donate or repurpose old computers and tablets for learning centers instead of throwing them away.

Finally

Autumn reminds us of cycles in nature. Just as leaves fall and return as soil for new growth, we can reuse items to give them new life. Weather may change from day to day, but climate is the long-term health of our planet. By reusing at home, at work, and in schools, we can help slow down climate change. Small actions, done together, make a big difference for our future.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning, not-for-profit, social enterprise established to create employment and promote environmental awareness through recycling and reuse. We work in partnership with WEEE Ireland and are authorized by your local authority to provide electrical, electronic and pure metal recycling collections across Dublin since 2007. Recycle IT are fully compliant with WEEE Recycling Requirements and permit details are available here. Where possible, Recycle IT will recycle for reuse!.

For more information about Recycle IT please click here.

Old Bikes – Recycle for Reuse / Parts Reuse

Recycle IT Recognized for 2025 Sustainability Award

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Recycle IT Shortlisted for National Sustainability Award

Chambers Ireland recently (22 August 2025) announced the shortlist for the 2025 Sustainable Business Impact Awards. These awards, sponsored by BAM Ireland and supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development, celebrate businesses making a positive difference in communities, the environment, and society.

This year, Recycle IT has been shortlisted in the “Sustainable Impact by a Medium Business” category for its work on community recycling.

Speaking about the awards, Alasdair Henderson of BAM Ireland said the awards highlight “organisations driving positive change through sustainability and social responsibility.”

Minister Jerry Buttimer added that social enterprises and sustainable businesses “play a vital role in improving lives and protecting the environment.”

Una Lavelle, General Manager at Recycle IT stated “Being shortlisted for the Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Impact Awards is a great recognition of our team’s commitment to recycling and community engagement. The awards highlight our work, open new partnerships, and encourage us to keep delivering positive environmental impact.”

In total, 60 projects from across Ireland have been shortlisted across 12 categories. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, 24th September 2025.

You can learn more about the awards and those shortlisted with a visit to the Chamber Ireland website, just click here.

About Chambers Ireland

Chambers Ireland is the voice of business throughout Ireland, with 36 member chambers across every major city, town and region of the island. Aligning our strategic priorities with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, our aim is to make places better to live, work and do business

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning, not-for-profit, social enterprise established to create employment and promote environmental awareness through recycling and reuse. We work in partnership with WEEE Ireland and are authorized by your local authority to provide electrical, electronic, and pure metal recycling collections across Dublin since 2007. Recycle IT are fully compliant with WEEE Recycling Requirements and permit details are available here.

Over the last 20 year Recycle IT have happily offered safe electrical and electronic recycling services to households and small and medium size organisations across a range of sectors. We offer our services all over Dublin and in surrounding areas. We are happy to offer cost effective and safe computer, laptop or tablet data destruction for home users and small offices on request.

For more information about Recycle IT please click here.

Dublin Recycling Centres Near Me!

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical Recycling, We Recycle IT3 Comments

Dublin Recycling Centres – Authorised

Dublin City Council have opened a new operations centre including a recycling facility located at St. Margaret’s Road, Ballymun D11. The facility opened in August 2023 and is a great addition to the city as you can easily recycle the majority of recycling streams including old household electrical items. The centre is located at St. Margaret’s Road, Ballymun, D11VF5Y with the public entrance accessed via Carton Way.

The North Dublin Recycling Operations Depot
Dublin Recycling Centre

This new centre will not be accepting commercial waste in any category and large commercial vans will not permitted. You can click here to find out more.

Recycling Mixed Household Stuff in Dublin

In general, centre’s accept a range of items like paper, cardboard, plastic and glass bottles, drinks cans and food tins, textiles and footwear, electrical equipment, fluorescent tubes, waste oil and DIY waste. Some will also accept garden waste and even Christmas trees just after the festive season ends!

It is always best to check before a visit! 

Recycling Electrical Equipment

Many centre’s accept old or damaged electrical equipment with approx. 75 million waste electrical items collected since 2005, that’s over 70 electrical items per household in Ireland but 1 in 4 Irish people are still hoarding or putting electrical waste in the trash at home. (Source: WEEE Ireland).  

In 2020 Ireland collected a record 64,856 tones of WEEE for treatment, a 4% increase from the quantity collected in 2019 (62,600 tones). Some 59,404 tones of WEEE were recovered and 55,012 tones were prepared for reuse or recycling in 2020, both up 3% on the 2019 quantities. (Source EPA Ireland).

Recycle IT want to encourage you to recycle electrical items using local services. With that in mind, we have compiled a list (all on one page) of WEEE recycling centre’s and services in Dublin.

Recycling Services

Recycle IT support householders, charities, community groups, schools and business with electrical and electronic recycling services in Dublin and the surrounding area. The service offered are complementary to those offered by the Local Authorities across Dublin.

Recycle IT – Electrical Toys and Fridges for Recycling

Services include a free drop-off for domestic or dual-purpose electrical or electronic equipment with collection services available on request. Collection services are offered free to groups previously listed with a cost-effective solution offered to business recyclers and or those with an immediate need.

Householders in Dublin City and surrounding areas can also bring their unwanted electrical items (WEEE) to a number of recycling centre’s promoted or operated by their Local Authority. At these centre’s, people can dispose of items such as toasters, cookers, kettles, lamps, and really any domestic appliance.

Recycle IT – WEEE Collection Service

Alternatively, householders can take back WEEE to retailers free of charge. The take-back system usually operates on a one-for-one basis, i.e. you can exchange an old toaster for a new one but it’s usually not possible to return a fridge freezer while purchasing a new hairdryer. A number of large retailers actively promote this scheme so keep an eye out.

Recycling Centre’s in Dublin

There are recycling centre’s located across Dublin which will take back household WEEE and lots of other waste items.

Waste by Image
Waste by Image

The main centres are listed below:

Details on Recycling Centres in Co Wicklow can be found here.

For general information click Back to Waste and Recycling

Trade waste is usually not accepted at Household Waste Recycling Centre’s. Recycle IT will support small and medium-sized businesses to recycle dual-purpose electrical and electronic waste.  It’s always a good idea to call the centre’s in advance of a recycling visit. The call can ensure to don’t make a wasted trip.

You will find details on local bring centre’s in Dublin city here. You will also find a list of bottle banks located in South Dublin here.

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 and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recycle IT provides drop-off and collection services to thousands of homes and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of laptops, computers, cookers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TVs.

Recycle IT services are 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 in the Eastern-Midlands Waste Management Region.

Recycle IT Social Enterprise Award 2025

Visit our website for further details.

Authorised Mattress Amnesty 2025

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Free Household Mattress Recycling

Starting on August 11th, 2025, South Dublin residents will have a great opportunity to get rid of old, unwanted mattresses for free. This new Mattress Recycling Amnesty is supported by South Dublin County Council and operated by Recycle IT, a community-based recycling service.

Mattress Recycling Work at Recycle IT
Mattress Recycling Work at Recycle IT

This special initiative means that people living in South Dublin and sounding areas can drop off old mattresses without paying any fees. It will help households dispose of bulky waste in a safe and environmentally friendly way during a number of weeks across August and September 2025.

What is a Mattress Amnesty?

A mattress amnesty is a time-limited program that allows people to bring old mattresses to a drop-off point for free recycling. Normally, getting rid of a mattress can cost money or involve arranging special collections. But during this amnesty, you can bring your mattress to a collection point without any charge.

Why Recycle Mattresses?

Mattresses are large, heavy, and difficult to dispose of. Many old mattresses end up in landfills or are illegally dumped. This is bad for the environment and costs councils time and money to clean up. Recycling mattresses is a much better solution.

Mattress Community Collection with Recycle IT

Mattresses are made from many materials that can be reused. For example:

  • Steel springs can be melted and reused for metal products.
  • Foam and fabric can be recycled into insulation or carpet padding.
  • Wooden frames can be reused for other furniture or broken down for wood chips.

By recycling mattresses, we reduce waste, save resources, and protect the environment. It also helps keep our local area clean and green.

The Benefits of Taking Part

Here are some great reasons to take part in the South Dublin Mattress Amnesty:

  1. It’s Free – You don’t have to pay to recycle your mattress during this event.
  2. It’s Weekly – Open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 3pm during the amnesty.
  3. It’s Convenient – Multiple drop-off locations will be available throughout South Dublin.
  4. It’s Eco-Friendly – Recycling keeps bulky waste out of landfills and gives materials a second life.
  5. It Reduces Illegal Dumping – Offering free disposal means fewer mattresses dumped on roadsides or in parks.
  6. It Helps the Community – Cleaner neighbourhoods and better waste management help everyone.

Who Can Take Part?

The amnesty is open to residents of South Dublin County and surrounding areas. Households are encouraged to bring clean and dry mattresses to our drop-off site. We generally, standard single, double, king, queen and foam mattresses. If in doubt you can call 01 4578321 with any questions.

Mattress Recycling Drop Off at Recycle IT

Businesses, hotels, or other commercial groups may not be included in this offer, so they should check with Recycle IT directly if they have mattresses to dispose of.

How Recycle IT Helps

Recycle IT is a social enterprise that focuses on recycling electrical and bulky household items. With help from South Dublin County Council, they are managing this amnesty to make sure all collected mattresses are safely broken down and reused.

Recycle IT has experience running similar programs and is committed to helping people recycle in a simple and responsible way.

When and where?

The free mattress drop-off started in mid-August 2025 and ran until Sept 27th 2025. Mattress recycling was be available at Recycle IT, Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 3pm.

This initiative has now CLOSED – You will get further detials here.

There were seven community drop-off events happening across South Dublin. The exact locations and times are listed directly below. The seven events listed will operate between 10am and 1pm over 7 Wednesday starting on August 13th 2025 in Tymon Park, D12.

This initiative has now CLOSED – You will get further detials here.

Community Mattress Recycling – Event Days – Click to View

During this period if you wish to have a cost-effective personal mattress collection from your home in Dublin we can help. Email mail us here

Finally

This free mattress recycling amnesty is a great chance for households to clear out unwanted items without harming the environment. By taking part, you are helping your home, your community, and the planet.

Teamwork – Mattress Recycling

Start preparing now! If you have an old mattress in your shed, spare room, or garden, plan to drop it off for recycling in August. Stay tuned for updates from South Dublin County Council and Recycle IT so you don’t miss out.

Let’s work together to reduce waste and make South Dublin a cleaner, greener place to live!

About Recycle IT

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

Recycle IT is supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across the east midlands waste region.

Our goal is to create training and employment opportunities through the provision of waste management services. Surplus earned income is reinvested in operational, and employment-related costs.

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

Recycle IT has People and Planet First Verification

Dublin Bike, E-bike and Scooter Recycling

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The Market:

In 2024, Ireland saw a significant increase in bike sales, particularly in April, with a 19% increase in spending on bikes, according to AIB. This surge is attributed to the anticipation of summer and the beginning of warmer weather, leading people to prepare for outdoor activities. 

The Electric Bicycles market worldwide and in Ireland has been steadily growing due to factors such as the rising demand for eco-friendly transportation, increasing health consciousness, and the convenience of online purchasing. Despite a mild growth rate, the market is expected to continue expanding as more consumers embrace the benefits of electric bikes.

E-bike Facts

The unit sales in the Electric Bicycles Ireland is expected to reach approx. 160,000 bicycles by 2029 with e-scooter expected to reach approx. 150,000 over the same period, so lot of both on Irish roads. (Source: Statista)

With this growth, recycling older or damage metal and battery-operated bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters is crucial for environmental sustainability and offers significant opportunities for job creation through recycling for reuse initiatives. Proper recycling practices not only conserve valuable resources but also play a vital role in mitigating climate change.

E-Bike Charging

The Importance of Recycling E-Scooters and E-Bikes

Bikes, E-scooters and e-bikes have become popular modes of transportation in Dublin, offering eco-friendly alternatives to traditional vehicles. However, as all types of bikes and e-scooter reach the end of their life cycles, improper disposal can lead to environmental hazards. Components such as batteries contain materials like lithium and cobalt, which are hazardous if not handled correctly. Recycling these materials prevents soil and water contamination and reduces the need for mining new resources.

Recycling for Reuse

In Dublin, initiatives focused on metal and electrical recycling will accept standard bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, for safe recycling. Organisations like Recycle IT, a not-for-profit social enterprise, specialize in recycling electrical, electronic and metal equipment from homes and workplaces. Teams collect, process, and prepare devices for recycling, ensuring that valuable materials are recovered and reused, thus extending the lifecycle of many components.

E-Bike

Job Creation Opportunities

The recycling industry, particularly in the realm of electronic waste, presents substantial job creation opportunities. By focusing on the collection, sorting, and processing of items like e-scooters and e-bikes, new employment avenues are opened. Recycle IT, for example, creates sustainable local employment through their recycling initiatives, providing training and jobs to individuals in the community.

Sustainability and Climate Change Mitigation – E-Bikes

Recycling bikes, e-scooters and e-bikes contributes significantly to sustainability efforts. By recovering materials including, mixed metals, lithium and cobalt, we reduce the demand for new mining operations, which are often environmentally destructive. Additionally, recycling reduces the energy consumption associated with manufacturing new products from raw materials. This decrease in energy usage leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions, directly combating climate change. WEEE Ireland emphasizes that recycling batteries prevents potential shortages of essential materials, supporting the production of new technologies in an eco-friendly manner.

E-Scooters

The Need for Increased Recycling

Despite the benefits, many consumers still dispose of standard bikes and metal scooters, e-scooters, e-bikes, and their batteries improperly. Increasing public awareness about the importance of recycling these items is essential. Educational campaigns can help but easy free recycling initiatives encourage people to participate, ensuring that hazardous materials are handled safely, and resources are conserved.

Local Recycling Initiatives in Dublin

Dublin has made significant strides in e-waste recycling. In 2023, residents recycled over 11,000 tonnes of electrical waste, setting a national record. This achievement highlights the community’s commitment to proper waste management and environmental stewardship.

How to Recycle Bikes, E-Scooters and E-Bikes in Dublin

For Dublin residents looking to recycle e-scooters, e-bikes, and their batteries:

  • Retailer Take-Back Programs: Many retailers offer free take-back services for batteries. Consumers can return waste batteries to any retail outlet that sells similar types, regardless of where the batteries were purchased.
  • Recycling Centres: Facilities like Recycle IT or others listed here accept waste batteries from privately registered vehicles at no charge.
  • Special Collection Events: Organisations such as WEEE Ireland organise events all over Ireland where residents can drop off e-waste, including batteries, for proper recycling. Recycle IT offer community recycling events in Dublin on request and with support from WEEE Ireland.

Conclusion

Recycling metal bikes and battery-operated scooters and e-bikes in Dublin is a vital practice that supports environmental sustainability, conserves resources, and creates local employment opportunities. By participating in recycling programs and supporting reuse initiatives, residents contribute to a healthier planet and a robust local economy, playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change.

E-Bike

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning, not-for-profit, social enterprise established to create employment and promote environmental awareness through recycling and reuse. We work in partnership with WEEE Ireland and are authorized by your local authority to provide electrical, electronic and pure metal recycling collections across Dublin since 2007. Recycle IT are fully compliant with WEEE Recycling Requirements and permit details are available here.

For more information about Recycle IT please click here.

Team Recycle IT

EcoMerit Certification for Recycle IT

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Recycle IT Receives EcoMerit Certification

Recycle IT is proud to share some exciting news – we have received the EcoMerit Certification! This is an important step forward in showing our commitment to the environment and to making the communities we serve better places for everyone.

But what is EcoMerit, and why does it matter? Let us clarify in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

EcoMerit Certification Logo

EcoMerit Certification Explained?

EcoMerit is a trusted environmental certification. It is given to organisations that work hard to reduce their impact on the environment. This means using less energy, cutting down on waste, and making better choices that help protect our planet.

Getting EcoMerit certified means that Recycle IT is meeting high environmental standards. It also shows that we have made a long-term plan to keep improving how we work to be greener and cleaner.

What Did Recycle IT Do to Earn It?

To receive the EcoMerit certification, Recycle IT looked closely at everything we do – from how we use energy to how we manage waste and water.

Here are some of the steps we’ve taken:

  • Reduced Energy Use: We worked to lower the amount of electricity we use every day. This helps reduce pollution and saves money too!
  • Reused and Recycled More: As a community recycling organisation, we already recycle a lot. But we found ways to improve even more, especially when it comes to safely handling electronics and household appliances.
  • Improved Waste Management: We made sure waste is sorted properly so that as much as possible can be recycled or reused instead of going to landfill.
  • Set Clear Goals: We created an environmental plan that sets targets for reducing waste and saving energy over the coming years.
  • Trained Our Team: Everyone at Recycle IT learned about ways to help the environment at work. Teamwork made a big difference.
Happy to be Certified

Why Is This Good News?

Getting the EcoMerit Certification is good news for many reasons:

  • It’s Good for the Planet: Everything we do to reduce waste, save energy, and recycle more helps the environment.
  • It Builds Trust: The certificate shows that Recycle IT is serious about protecting nature. People and organisations who work with us know they are supporting a green company.
  • It Inspires Others: We hope our work encourages other organisations and people to take simple steps that protect the Earth.
  • It Supports Our Community: By recycling safely and helping people recycle old items, we keep harmful waste out of landfills and create local jobs.
  • It Supports Our Team: It is good for the staff team because it creates ongoing awareness, a cleaner, safer workplace and it shows we all care about the environment. It empowers our team to make a positive impact both at work and in their personal lives
Eco Building Blocks

What’s Next?

The EcoMerit certificate is not the end of our journey – it’s just the beginning! We will continue to look for new ways to protect the environment. We’ll keep working with our community, staff, and partners to do better every day.

The EcoMerit Certification shows that Recycle IT is doing things the right way – by putting people and the planet first. Together, we can continue to build a cleaner, healthier future for everyone.

Let’s keep recycling, reusing, and reducing waste – and let’s keep making a difference, one small step at a time!

Final Words

We want to say a big thank you to everyone who helps make Recycle IT more environmentally friendly. Your support made this recognition possible.

A special thanks goes to the Irish Social Enterprise Network, the other participants across Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, and the EU GreenBoost4WISEs program. This program, launched in 2024, and gave social enterprises like ours a great chance to learn and grow.

European Union Logo Flag 

It helped us take real steps to become more sustainable—making sure our work, especially in areas like energy, waste and resource use, can keep going without harming nature or the needs of future generations.

About Recycle IT

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

Recycle IT is supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across the east midlands waste region.

Our goal is to create training and employment opportunities through the provision of waste management services. Surplus earned income is reinvested in operational, and employment-related costs.

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

Mixed Electrical Equipment for Safe Recycling @ Recycle IT

Old Garden Tools – recycle safely!

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Green fingers and tools!

Gardening activities offers lots of health benefits, both physically and mentally, especially during the summer months. It provides fresh produce, improves physical health, and reduces stress. Summer gardens also require specific maintenance, including proper watering, weeding, and deadheading, to keep plants thriving. 

Gardening can play a role in keeping you and your family fit and eating well across the seasons. Gardens can also be a safe place for insects, bees, birds and animals to live and thrive, spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Garden Tools
Garden Tools

Recycling is also good for our well-being and minimises the impacts on our health and our planet. The more you recycle as items comes to the end of there ‘useful life the better! Recycling helps protect the environment for future generations. Old garden electrical, electronic and metal equipment can be recycled safely and free so do it right!

Gardening is a great way to get physical activity and beautify your home and neighborhood.  Its also important to protect yourself and take proper precautions when you are outside with tools, chemicals and insects.  Maybe take a few minutes to read up on garden safety before starting!

Summer Park Dublin

Metal garden equipment or garden tools that use electricity through self-charging or via a plug or battery, can be reused by someone new or if damaged they can be recycled with ease. This includes everyday garden equipment which is old damaged or unused. You can easily recycle Hoes & Tillers, Shovels & Rakes Metal Hand Tools, Spades & Hand Trowels, Pruning Shears & Loppers, Lawn Mowers and Leaf Blowers with Recycle IT in Dublin.

The 20 most common garden tools are lists below

  • Hand trowel – Digging small holes and planting.
  • Pruning shears (secateurs) – Trimming plants and cutting stems.
  • Hand cultivator – Loosening soil and removing weeds.
  • Weeder – Removing weeds and roots.
  • Dibber – Making holes for seeds and seedlings.
  • Bulb planter – Planting bulbs at the correct depth.
  • Spade – Digging, edging, and cutting through roots.
  • Shovel – Moving soil, compost, and mulch.
  • Garden fork – Turning and loosening soil.
  • Wheelbarrow or garden cart – Moving heavy materials.
  • Garden hoe – Removing weeds and cultivating soil.
  • Loppers – Cutting thick branches.
  • Hedge shears – Trimming hedges and shrubs.
  • Pruning saw – Cutting larger branches.
  • Leaf rake – Collecting leaves and garden debris.
  • Garden hose – Watering plants and lawns.
  • Watering can – Gentle watering for pots and seedlings.
  • Lawn mower – Cutting grass.
  • String trimmer – Cutting grass in hard-to-reach areas.
  • Gardening gloves – Protecting hands while gardening.

Remember, recycling garden tools benefits the environment. Recycling power or manual tools makes it easier to preserve natural resources, as materials such as metal and plastic are repurposed instead of being thrown away. Recycling helps reduces the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, meaning less pollution from transport vehicles and fewer harmful chemicals being released into the atmosphere which has to be good for you and your garden.

Older Garden Equipment

Old Lawnmowers for Recycling

When you buy a new garden tools like an electric, rechargeable or petrol lawn mower you can recycle your old mower with Recycle IT. We will dispose of it in a legal and environmentally friendly way. You can also safely recycle chainsaws, garden shredders, water pumps, lawn trimmers, garden multi-tools, grass trimmers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, garden vacuums, pressure/power washers, string trimmers, rototillers, pole saws, household chippers, shredders and even old BBQs. If you are unsure if your item can be recycled safely just give us a call.

How to Recycle Garden Tools

Please do not dispose of electrical products used in the garden with your normal household waste bin or in a skip. Please use an electrical waste recycling centre like Recycle IT. Once the equipment was used in your home garden, school or community there is no charge for our recycling service. Petrol lawnmowers can be recycled alongside old garden metal at Recycle IT. Please make sure the lawnmower petrol tank is completely empty before collection or drop off.

Gardening Equipment

WEEE Symbols and Regulations

Remember all typle electrical, electronic, and battery-operated equipment including garden tools should display this symbol on the packaging or the product. The symbol indicates that the product should not be disposed of with normal household waste but taken to an authorised recycling centre for safe recycling.

Each year in Ireland we generate thousands of tones of electrical waste, those items that are discarded contain a variety of materials, including metal, glass, plastics, ceramics, and precious metals and because of this complex mix of materials without specialized waste processes can create several health risks.

Irish Waste Management Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 149 of 2014) (the WEEE Regulations) are designed to promote the recovery of WEEE, and to facilitate the achievement of targets for the collection, treatment, recovery, and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in an environmentally sound manner.

What Is WEEE Recycling?
Don’t Bin Electrical Equipment

Producers and retailers are responsible for the financing, treatment, recovery and disposal of WEEE. This means that customers (end users) buying or using household and home garden WEEE are entitled to drop off garden tools without charge at authorised recycling facilities.

You can book a cost effective collection here.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT offer recycling opportunities to home and business customers for all types of electronics equipment. AT Recycle IT, recycling is available using free, drop-off, free community collections or through a cost-effective personal or business collection. Our team will accept any old household or small office electrical items alongside all types of metal and electrical or rechargeable garden equipment.

Recycle IT as a social enterprise works in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office.

To learn more about recycling electrical equipment please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321, email us or visit www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT –Sustainability Award Winner 2025

Social Enterprise in Ireland

On By JMCEIn Climate change, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Family, News, Social EnterpriseLeave a comment

Social Enterprise – it’s moving ahead! 

A first-in-kind research by the Schwab Foundation’s Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship finds that there are approximately 10 million social enterprises worldwide, which collectively generate around $2 trillion in annual revenues, creating over 200 million jobs.

Please Buy Social

The social enterprise sector now outranks other mainstream industries by annual revenue, like telecoms and apparel. Moreover, social enterprises align their missions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), notably in creating decent work, driving climate action and reducing poverty and inequalities.

Social enterprises, which make up 3% of all businesses globally, stand out from traditional businesses by placing a strong emphasis on creating social and environmental value along with economic value. Unlike conventional nonprofit organizations, social enterprises are self-sustaining through their business activities. They prioritize social impact over financial returns and reinvest their profits back into their mission. Source:  (François Bonnici, Director, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Head of Social Innovation, World Economic Forum).

As of 2022, Ireland estimated there were 4,335 social enterprises employing 84,342 people, accounting for 3.7% of the workforce. These social businesses generated income estimated at EUR 2.34 billion in 2021 (Amárach/SERI/ILDN, 2023)

EU Social Enterprise

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has been actively involved in the European social enterprise and social economy agenda for more than 10 years and supports social enterprise growth and development as a key element of the European social model.

There are 2.8 million social economy enterprises, representing 10% of all businesses in the EU. Almost 13.6 million people – about 6.2% of the EU’s employees – work for social economy enterprises. On top of the paid workforce, social economy  mobilizes volunteers, equivalent to 5.5 million full-time workers. Characteristics included:

  • Membership – up to 160 million people in Europe are members of social economy enterprises (mostly retail, banking and agricultural cooperatives, as well as mutual societies offering services complementary to social security regimes)
  • Objectives – social economy enterprises contribute to the EU’s employment, social cohesion, regional and rural development, environmental protection, consumer protection, agricultural, third countries development, and social security policies
  • Size – social economy entities are mostly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Today, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs is promoting, in particular, the development of social economy enterprises and organisations via the Single Market Programme
It is also particularly focused on supporting the development of social economy by implementing the European action plan on social economy (2021).

Irish Social Enterprise Sector

The estimated 4335 Social Enterprises operate in communities all over Ireland. Like social enterprises in other OECD countries, childcare; community infrastructure and local development; health, youth services, social care, and heritage, festivals, arts and creative industry account for 67.4% of the social enterprise sector.

Social Enterprise – A Growing Sector

Other areas of activity include sport and leisure; training and work integration; consultancy and support services; housing; food, catering and hospitality; environmental services; retailing; transport; financial services; manufacturing; and others.

Almost 77% of social enterprises function in more than one sector of activity. (Source: OECD 2023). In reality Social Enterprises offer essential services and tackle problems in society like food poverty, housing or environmental issues.

A 2012 report from Forfas defines social enterprise in Ireland as “an enterprise that trades for a social/societal purpose, where at least part of its income is earned from its trading activity, is separate from government, and where the surplus is primarily reinvested in the social objective.”

The report also lists the four categories under which social enterprises trade

  • commercial opportunities that are established to create a social return;
  • employment opportunities for marginalized groups;
  • economic and community development organisations;
  • services delivery organisations.

From experience, it can be said that these four categories almost always overlap and are shared objectives for many social enterprises,

Progress in the Sector

In 2016, the top country in the world for social enterprise action was recorded as the Canada, . Ireland ranked in second-last place on the list.

Word Map – Click to Enlarge

Over a 3 year period, Ireland moved from a near bottom ranking in 2016 to 36th place as it reported improvements in almost all categories. Social entrepreneurship gaining momentum, up 16 points to 17th place, while more social entrepreneurs can make a living from their work, up 17 spots to 21st place. Source: (Research by the Thompson Reuters Foundation, 2016 & 2019).

Social enterprise in Ireland is a growing, dynamic and vibrant space and is now supported by a national policy that commits to building awareness, growing and strengthening the sector, and achieving better policy alignment.”   Source: (Sheila Cannon, assistant professor of social entrepreneurship, Trinity College Dublin)

Some of the criteria used to decide if there is a favorable environment for social enterprise include:

  1. Conditions are favorable for social entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses
  2. Government policy supports social entrepreneurs
  3. It is easy for social entrepreneurs to get grant funding
  4. It is easy for social entrepreneurs to access investment (debt and/or equity)
  5. Social entrepreneurs can access the non-financial support they need (e.g. financial, legal and technical advice; access to markets and networks; coaching, mentoring and training)
  6. It is easy for social entrepreneurs to sell to the government
  7. It is easy for social entrepreneurs to sell to business
  8. It is easy for social entrepreneurs to sell to the public
  9. It is easy for social entrepreneurs to attract staff with the required skills
  10. The public understands what social entrepreneurs do
  11. Social entrepreneurs can make a living from their work in my country
  12. Social entrepreneurship is gaining momentum
National Economic and Social Council (NESC)

The role of social enterprises is growing, both on the island of Ireland and internationally. Social enterprise straddles the space between the national economy and local community, and plays an important role in providing services to marginalized groups and in disadvantaged areas, as well as creating and providing jobs, and contributing to innovative social and environmental initiatives. While much of the activity is at local level, social enterprises also contribute to the national economy. Source: (NESC Report Social Enterprise on the Island of Ireland 2023)

National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 

The Department of Rural and Community Development published Ireland’s first-ever Social Enterprise Policy in July 2019. The first National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019 – 2022  focused on three key objectives:

  • Building Awareness of Social Enterprise;
  •  Growing and Strengthening Social Enterprise and
  • Achieving Better Policy Alignment.

In July 2024, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD launched Ireland’s second Social Enterprise Policy ‘Trading for Impact’ the National Social Enterprise Policy 2024 -2027

Trading for Impact – Report Cover

‘Trading for Impact’ the second National Social Enterprise Policy details five key objectives:

  • Building Awareness of Social Enterprise
  • Growing and Sustaining Social Enterprise
  • Supporting the Green Transition
  • National and International Engagement
  • Impact Measurement.

With 57 concrete actions defined under these objectives, which will be implemented between 2024 to 2027. A ‘Stakeholder Engagement Group’ will oversee the delivery of the policy.

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.

Social Enterprise at Work

Recycle IT runs an electrical recycling business in the social economy sector with the aim of creating social, economic and environmental value. Our team offers recycling services for communities and the market. Any profits generated are used to support social objectives which include a range of community-focused services, internal training progressions and employment.

Profit is not shared with company directors and the organisations has no commercial stakeholders. Our board is voluntary and any profits are reinvested in recycling operations. Recycle IT is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise.

Our awarding-winning recycling service is friendly and effective, yet not glamorous. Work is hard but offers real opportunities for training and skills development. Teamwork helps support our goals and everyone involved “works to do good” while at the same time helping to allow financial sustainability. There is a focused approach to identifying and managing revenue streams to support the company to cover operating costs and reinvest for the future.

What’s Real about Social Enterprise

Social enterprise success generally means more social and/or environmental good with profits reinvested to deliver change.

Usually, social enterprises have more inclusive and diverse structures with women and men coming from a wide range of backgrounds to help start-ups, develop and lead organisations. Social enterprises work on a range of challenges using the tools of business to advance ideas and deliver services. Social Enterprise is more innovative and experiment more than traditional businesses as they work to fill gaps in the market that are of little interest to public sector bodies and profits are limited for the private sector companies. Finally, most work collaboratively and bring people on a journey of change.

Learn more about fiftheen Social Enterprises operating in Dublin: Click each one:

Third Space
Aspire Productions
House of Akina
The Yard @ Solas Project.
Recycle IT
Rothar.ie
Thrifty.ie
Walkinstown Green
Speedpak
Frontlinebikes
Clean Slate
Pace
Triest Press 
We Make Good
shareclub

Click here to learn about the impact on communities when you decide to buy from a social enterprise Below you will find a list of Irish Social Enterprise support organisations and networks.

Social Enterprise Supports

  1. Irish Social Enterprise Network
  2. Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI)
  3. Inner City Enterprise
  4. Carmichael Centre
  5. Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Academy
  6. Local Enterprise Office (LEO)
  7. The Wheel
  8. Irish Local Development Network (ILDN)
  9. Local Development Company Directory – Click here
  10. Community Resources Network Ireland (CRNI)
  11. Social Enterprise Supports Table – Click here
  12. Irish Government Supports – Click here
  13. Rethink Ireland
  14. Irish Local Authorities – Click here

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

Read about social enterprise funding here.

Recycle IT – National Award Winners

Buy Social with Pace Dublin

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Buy Outdoor Planters, Tables, Benches & More

If you’re looking to buy wooden planters, garden tables, benches, or other quality wooden products as well as plants and flowers in Dublin, there’s one name you should know — Pace. But Pace is not just any business. It’s a not-for-profit social enterprise, and that makes your purchase more than just a simple buy. It’s a way to give back, support your community, and help create lasting change.

What is Pace?

Pace is a Dublin-based social enterprise that supports people who have experience with the criminal justice system. It helps them rebuild their lives, gain work skills, and reintegrate into society. Pace believes that everyone deserves a second chance. By offering real work, training, and support, Pace gives people the tools they need to move forward.

One of the ways they do this is through their woodwork and garden products workshop. That’s where the beautiful wooden planters, picnic tables, benches, and other outdoor items are made — by hand, with care, and for a great purpose.

What Can You Buy?

At Pace, you’ll find a range of high-quality, handcrafted wooden products perfect for your garden, patio, or public spaces. Some of their most popular items include:

  • Wooden Planters: Perfect for flowers, herbs, or even small trees. These planters are sturdy, well-made, and built to last through all seasons.
  • Picnic Tables: Ideal for family meals outside or community spaces. Made from strong timber, they’re great for schools, parks, or even your own backyard.
  • Garden Benches: Comfortable and stylish, these benches add charm and relaxation to any outdoor area.
  • Custom Furniture: Looking for something unique? Pace can often work with customers on custom orders too.

Each item is made using sustainable wood where possible and built to a high standard of quality. You’re not only getting something that looks good — it’s made to last.

Why Buy from a Social Enterprise?

When you buy from a regular business, the profits go to the owners or shareholders. When you buy from a social enterprise like Pace, the money goes straight back into the organisation. It supports training, jobs, and programs that help people make a fresh start.

By choosing to shop with Pace, you are:

  • Supporting rehabilitation and reintegration of people into the community.
  • Helping to reduce reoffending by giving people meaningful work.
  • Promoting sustainable, ethical shopping.
  • Backing a local Irish organisation with a big heart.

Perfect for Homes, Communities and Businesses

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to spruce up your garden, or a school or business wanting to improve your outdoor spaces, Pace can help. Many community centres, schools, housing groups, and councils across Dublin already use their products.

When you choose Pace, you’re not just getting a product — you’re becoming part of something bigger. It’s a simple action that has a powerful impact.

How to Buy

You can browse Pace’s woodwork range by visiting their workshop or contacting them directly through their website or phone. The team are happy to answer questions, talk about custom options, and help you find the right product for your needs. Visit the website shopatpace.ie, call phone, 0874061989 or email socialenterprise@paceorganisation.ie

About Recycle IT

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

Recycle IT is supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across the east midlands waste region.

Our goal is to create training and employment opportunities through the provision of waste management services. Surplus earned income is reinvested in operational, and employment-related costs.

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

Ireland’s Green Tech Revolution: Solar Panels and Vapes

On By JMCEIn Climate change, Collections, Computer Recycling, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, News, Social Enterprise, sustainability, We Recycle ITLeave a comment

Ireland Sees Surge in Electrical Device Sales

Ireland has experienced a notable uptick in the sale of electrical goods, with devices like vapes and solar panels particularly leading the surge. This trend signals a growing appetite among consumers for both convenience gadgets and sustainable technologies.

Photo by Kelly on Pexels.com

Vapes and solar panels have driven a 75 per cent increase in electrical device sales over the last five years and a total of 93 million household electronic items were purchased in 2024 – almost three times the volume sold in 2006 according to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland, the country’s biggest e-waste recycling scheme.

“Each one of those 93 million devices contains valuable materials like aluminium, copper, lithium, cobalt,” said WEEE Ireland chief executive Leo Donovan. Based on the that fact these items should all be recycled safely.

Electric & Green Tech Boom

Sales of solar panels have jumped significantly, reflecting strong interest in home energy solutions—especially across suburban and rural areas. The popularity of smart home accessories, electric vehicle chargers, and battery storage systems is reinforcing Ireland’s move towards greener lifestyles. For example over 2.5 million solar panels have entered the market in the last five years, but with a life of 15 to 20 years, they won’t reach recycling centres for at least another decade.

Disposable Vapes: Convenience at a Cost

Disposable vapes have also seen sharp sales growth, sparking concern among public health and environmental experts. Containing lithium batteries, plastics, and chemical liquids, they pose serious waste challenges if not processed correctly .

Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels.com

Action Needed Now:

Research from WEEE Ireland also shows the proportion of households hoarding unused devices rose from 22 per cent in 2023 to 29 per cent in 2025, highlighting a massive untapped opportunity for reuse and repair. “We need to move beyond recycling alone. Extending the life of products through repair and reuse must become the norm,” Mr. Donovan said.

The message is simple – take your old gadgets—especially batteries and plastics—to your nearest WEEE or e-waste recycling drop-off in Dublin. It’s quick, local, and significantly reduces pollution.

Recycle IT is a community-based social enterprise in Dublin that helps households, charities, community groups, schools, and businesses safely recycle thousand’s of electrical and electronic items (e-waste) yearly. Here’s how we can help you:

Recycle IT – Electrical Recycling

Services Recycle IT Offers:

Free Household Collection: Our team offer free door-to-door residents association collection of unwanted electrical items like toasters, kettles, laptops, TVs, and more in many Dublin areas.

Business & Organisations Recycling: Schools, offices, and community groups can book collection services for bulk electrical items—ensuring safe and secure disposal.

Drop-Off Recycling: You can drop off items at their facility in Clondalkin if preferred.

Data Destruction: Secure disposal of hard drives and other data-storing devices for privacy protection.

Community Awareness: We promote awareness of e-waste and provide tips on reducing, reusing, and recycling electronic goods.

Environmentally Friendly Practices: Recycle IT recycling for reuse as much as possible helping reduce landfill waste and conserve resources.

Let’s turn this sales surge into a sustainability win for Dublin and beyond!

Recycle IT – Mixed Electrical Equipment

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 and electronic equipment (WEEE). During 2018 Recycle IT offer to drop off and collection services to thousands of homes, and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves, cookers, dryers and TVs and much more.

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 – Approved and Verified

Office Sustainability -Reduce and Save with 33 Tips!

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

Green Office – Home Office – Any Office:

It’s summer, it’s brighter so may be it’s time to tidy? With that in mind, please find some recycling tips to stay eco-friendly at work this spring and year round!

As we know, office waste mainly consists of electrical, electronic, cardboard, paper, packaging and food waste, all of which can be reused, recycled or composted. The one type of waste which is most commonly hoarded for disposal later is old, unused or damaged electrical/electronic equipment.

Office Electrons Clear Out – Old Laptop Parts

Some items just appear event! They might include glass or plastic bottles, cans plastic cups, coffee cups, and food trays and wrappers to name a few. These items can all be segregated and recycled in the office or you could encourage staff and suppliers to use reusable items which can be collected and reuse. Disposal items arrival and leave quickly, it’s just to make sure they are recycled for good.

The benefits of introducing a program of reducing, reusing and recycling include;

  • Big euro savings in time on waste disposal costs.
  • Boost to staff morale with a focus on reducing, reuse and recycling.
  • Demonstrates the organisation is commitment to the environment.
  • Enhanced public perception of your organization as a green organization.
  • Promotes a green agenda with your trading partners.
  • Offer time and cost saving opportunities to staff.  
  • Relieves office anxiety – when offices are organised, clean and tidy, anxiety is reduced.

Below you will find some tips that can be easily implemented and integrated into the day-to-day running of the office and office building. They may result in reduced office supplies usage, time ordering and money spent.

IMG_20200219_092642
General Office – Recycle IT 

Tips on How to Reduce Office Waste

  1. Only print if there is a real need for a hard copy.
  2. Meeting clients or colleagues online to save resources. It’s the norm now!
  3. Use e-mail or instant messages to save paper, time and money.
  4. Share team and event calendars.
  5. Draft documents can be reviewed on-screen before emailing.
  6. Reports and presentation should be electronic only
  7. If paper is required, use FSC–certified paper
  8. Research purchasing printers which print double-sided copies only.
  9. Photocopy and print double-sided.
  10. Scrap paper can be used to make note pads to take phone messages.
  11. Introduce a centralized office filing system. This reduces multiple files,
  12. Enable the reuse of paper envelopes by putting a label on top of the old address.
  13.  Cut down on excess equipment sitting in the store, going out of date, e.g. electrical and electronic office equipment.
  14. Regularly service office equipment, particularly computers, photocopiers, and printers, to prolong their lifespan.
  15. When equipment reaches its end of life use a registered and licensed electrical and electronic recycler to ensure equipment is safely made ready for reuse and recycling.
  16. Employees should regularly empty out their desk and return any unwanted office supplies to the stationery cupboard.
  17. Free or fee-based online newspaper subscription can reduce the amount of paper to be recycled.
  18. Cancel any unwanted magazine or newspaper subscriptions to avoid unwanted waste accumulating.
  19. Reuse binders and file folders.
  20. Office announcements can be posted online, sent via email or posted once in a centralized monitor or TV screen.
  21. Consider renting office equipment that you use only occasionally rather than having to store it in the workplace.
  22. Encourage colleagues to bring lunch to work in reusable containers.
  23. Encourage management to have reusable silverware, plates and cups and a small coffee station in the office.
  24. Research and purchase products with less packaging or with no packaging at all.
  25. Install filtered water rather than a water cooler.
  26. Give your team a reusable water bottle.
  27. Offer secure bike parking.
  28. Source used office desks, chairs and lockers (if required).
  29. Unplug office equipment when not in use or overnight.
  30. Work from home when possible.
  31. Offer unused or surplus items to other organisation for reuse.
  32. Think about how you can have a green office party or events during the year.
  33. Set printers to default to black-and-white to reduce ink usage.
Office IT Clear-out

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 2023 Recycle IT operated drop off and collection services to 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 Leinster.

For further details about our free and cost-effective services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT Approved and Verified

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Tips for Summer

On By JMCEIn Awards, Climate change, Collections, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, News, Social Enterprise, sustainability, We Recycle ITLeave a comment

Irish Summer Tips

As the Irish weather heats and days get longer our evenings fill up with activities including visits to the beach or park. We have weekend BBQs, games and lots of opportunities for fun. This all adds up to lots of leisure time spent outdoors in our beautiful Irish green environment.

Hot Days – Reusable Water Bottle

So, while we are playing, eating, swimming or sunbathing we can still have a focus on reducing waste, saving resources and keeping the environment green with these summer reduce, reuse and recycling tips:

1. Lawns and Gardens 

Don’t let that cut grass end up in a landfill!  Used your grass clippings as organic fertilizer. It can be reused to benefit your immediate garden environment. Instead of binning the grass as you cut, leave it on the lawn where it will return valuable nutrients to the soil. Alternatively, you can add your clippings to a compost heap. Either way, grass recycling will make a big impact on the environment and help to reduce landfill burdens.

Lawn Care

2. Summer Travel

Whether travelling in a group or by one’s self consider using public transport, walking or cycling to your preferred location. This can help reduce the environmental impact of Co2 emission and save you money. If you are in a city location like Dublin, you can avail of the Dublin Bike Scheme so plan in advance. If you really need to use a car, you could try sharing a Go Car for once off summer events, might be a real alternative to buying a car which sits at home for long periods unused.

3. Summer Food and Snack

On family trips to the zoo or a visit to the beach try packing homemade sandwiches, fruit and snacks in reusable containers, bring a flask and use reusable water bottles instead of buying bottled water, tea and coffee. Take bags along to collect recyclables and look for recycling bins when you stop for breaks. The average household of four people uses approx. 330 glass bottles and jars each year. Recycling 6 glass bottles per week saves enough energy to boil 2 kettles with enough water in each for five cups of coffee, so please drop off your bottles at the local bottle bank this summer! (Source: Recycling Live)

Summer BBQ and Food
Summer BBQ and Food

4. Summer Toys

If you have footballs, beach balls or pool toys that are old, try finding other uses for them or patching holes before throwing away. You might even offer them to a charity shop for use by others. These products are usually made of PVC and therefore not recyclable, so think about that before buying new ones.  If you are shopping for new summer toys, buy those made from recyclable materials to minimize the environmental impact.

 5. Summer  BBQs and Picnics

Whether at home, or in a park make recycling easy by taking and using a clearly labelled recycling bin. Recycle cans, glass, plastic, and aluminium foil. Since plastic cutlery usually can’t be recycled, offer reusable knives and forks for your guests. If you really want to work toward zero waste, put out reusable napkins, plates, cups, and cutlery at your next event! Of course, this isn’t always practical so, if you must buy disposable, try to find paper products that are made from biodegradable or compostable materials.

Wood Broken Pallets – Cut Up

If your using a firepit try to source old wood like wood from damaged pallets. Pallets burn well in wood stoves or fire pits, providing warmth and energy while keeping materials out of landfills.

6. Summer Equipment

Do you need to dispose of 10 year old garden furniture, lawnmowers, old BBQs or outdoor grills?. You can recycle all these type items instead of throwing them away! When recycling the equipment, please clean it thoroughly and then take it apart, separating the pieces into piles of metal, glass and plastic. Stainless steel, steel, cast iron, brass and aluminium can all be recycled. Plastic parts should all have a recycling symbol and number that tells you how they should be recycled. Remember you can recycle the electronic and metal components with Recycle IT.  Once you have recycled your old equipment and are looking for a replacements try to choose an eco-friendly, long life, easy clean model. Remember when cooking you steak, gas and electric BBQ’s or grills are better for the environment than wood or charcoal.

Summer Recycling - Lawn Mowers
Summer Recycling – Lawn Mowers

7. Clothes

Try to reuse last year summer clothes. It’s possibly 8 or 9 months since they have been last worn and nobody will remember them. If you have to choose a new range of summer clothes for you or your family remember to recycle any used clothes with a local charity shops. They can be used by other people over and over while raising funds for much needed causes.

Opportunity Knocks 

This summer is an opportunity to become a proactive recycler. Involved your kids and teach them about recycling now, so they will practice it throughout their life. It is important to teach our children about the environment and the positive effects of reduce, reuse and recycling. Start your summer with fun activities such as a garage clean out and car boot sale that will promote reuse and recycling, and keep your kids occupied! Tidy towns is another good option!

To learn more about recycling your once loved electrical items give Recycle IT a call on 01 4578321. or visit our website

Recycle IT is Good Market Approved

 

Data Destruction Safety and Recycling!

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Personal Computers Today!

For the full year 2024, PC vendors shipped 262.7 million PCs, up 1% from 2023. The personal computer (PC) market is experiencing growth driven by factors like remote work, digital learning, and gaming, with global revenue projected to reach over $86 billion by 2034. This is a hugh amount of personal computers.

Source: International Data Corporation (IDC) 

On the other side, recycling figures from WEEE Ireland for the last three years reveal that for every ten new tech products sold in Ireland, only four are eventually coming back for recycling.

WEEE Ireland research, completed in 2023 has found that recyclers have concerns about personal data which is preventing one in five adults recycling their old and unused tech items and a further 22% keep them as back-up, just in case something happens the new item.

When people decide not to recycle their old equipment, the recycling take-back rate declines. Since 2020 the rate has stood still at 40% – well below the national e-waste target of 65% as set in the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive (WEEE).

Computers for Breakdown and Safe Recylcing at Recycle IT

The CEO of the WEEE Ireland compliance scheme, Leo Donovan, has urged consumers to dig out old and broken tech and their accessories for recycling.

WEEE Ireland estimated, an average of six million tech items – including mobiles, laptops, tablets, printers, cables, and chargers – were sold each year over the last three years so there must be old items on every house in Ireland which can be recycled.

Safe Recycling and Secure Data Disposal in Ireland

Our rapidly advancing use of electronic devices has become an integral part of our home and work lives. With an estimated six million tech items sold each year, many devices including computers, small office servers, mobile phones, and tablets store vast amounts of sensitive information.  As we embrace all this convenience it is crucial to understand the significance of data safety when reselling older items, offering items for reuse, or recycling devices. Recycle IT can help.

Protecting Personal Privacy:

When we use electronic devices, we often store personal information such as names, addresses, and contact details. In the wrong hands, this data can be misused for identity theft or fraud. Recycling your old gadgets without properly disposing of the data poses a risk to your personal privacy. Ensuring secure data disposal safeguards you and your loved ones from potential harm.

Data Safety / Recylce Wisely
Photo from Pexel.com – Photo by Fernando Arcos

Compliance with Data Protection Laws:

Ireland, like many other countries, has strict data protection laws to safeguard individuals’ privacy. Disposing of electronic devices without considering the data they contain can lead to violations of these laws. By responsibly handling data during the recycling process, you not only protect yourself but also adhere to legal requirements, avoiding potential fines or legal consequences.

Preventing Business Data Breaches:

Small offices and organisations often store multiple types of sensitive data on old computers and servers. Improper disposal of these devices can lead to data breaches, compromising confidential information. Such breaches can harm the reputation of businesses and result in financial losses. Secure data disposal practices are essential for protecting the integrity of business operations and maintaining trust with clients and partners.

Environmental Responsibility:

Beyond the digital realm, electronic devices also impact the environment. Recycling helps prevent electronic waste from ending up in landfills, reducing the ecological footprint. However, overlooking data safety in the recycling process can have unintended consequences. Ensuring secure data disposal while recycling contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to e-waste management.

Recycle IT – Safe Electronic Recycling

Encouraging Responsible E-Waste Recycling:

Proper data disposal practices also play a vital role in promoting responsible e-waste recycling. When individuals and businesses prioritize the secure handling of data during device recycling, it sets a positive example for others. This collective effort fosters a culture of responsibility, encouraging more people to dispose of their electronic devices thoughtfully.

Supporting Circular Economy Initiatives:

Ireland, like many countries, is striving towards a circular economy where resources are reused and recycled. Secure data disposal is a key aspect of this circular approach, ensuring that devices can be safely refurbished or recycled without compromising sensitive information. By supporting circular economy initiatives, individuals and businesses contribute to a more sustainable and efficient use of resources.

It’s worth remembering to strike the balance between data safety and proactively recycling electronic devices. We really should recycle electronic deceives to keep to circular economy going but we must also protect personal privacy, ensures compliance with data protection laws, and prevent data breaches.

Source – Circular Flanders

Promoting environmental responsibility, encourages responsible e-waste recycling, and supports circular economy initiatives. By adopting secure data disposal practices, we not only contribute to a safer digital environment but also play a role in building a more sustainable and responsible future for Ireland and beyond.

Read more on the WEEE Ireland findings here.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning, not-for-profit, social enterprise established to create employment and promote environmental awareness through recycling and reuse. We work in partnership with WEEE Ireland and are authorized by your local authority to provide electrical, electronic, and pure metal recycling collections across Dublin since 2007. Recycle IT are fully compliant with WEEE Recycling Requirements and permit details are available here.

Over the last 20 year Recycle IT have happily offered safe electrical and electronic recycling services to households and small and medium size organisations across a range of sectors. We offer our services all over Dublin and in surrounding areas. We are happy to offer cost effective and safe computer, laptop or tablet data destruction for home users and small offices on request.

For more information about Recycle IT please click here.

Recycle IT Social Enterprise Award Winner 2025

Easter Eggs – choose wrapper recycling!

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

The Quantities

This years late Easter is prompting shoppers to delay the temptation to buy Easter eggs too early. Irish shoppers spent €7.5 million less on Easter eggs in March compared to last year. But when we compare February 2025 with March 2025, we can see a significant increase in sales of €18.4 million.(Source: Kantar 2025).

In 2024 Repak reported, 80 per cent of people were expected to indulge in a milk chocolate Easter egg, with only 4 per cent seeking vegan or plant-based chocolate eggs. (Source: Repak Survey 2024)

Cadbury Creme Egg Easter Egg (195g) 

Repak survey research for 2024 estimated 88% of people surveyed were confident in their recycling abilities when it comes to disposing of Easter egg packaging. However, despite this confidence only 52% actually know what belongs in the recycling bin. Repak is encouraging the public to make sure they recycle all packaging from Easter eggs and gifts this year 

Short and Sweet Tips

As chocolate lovers and Easter egg eaters we have complied some tips which might help!

Tin foil: Scrunch all the foil it into a big ball for the recyclng bin.

Extras: Avoid packaging with ribbons, glitter, additional presentation bags and colored paper.

Wisdom is key: Try to avoid eggs with extra gifts like cups, soft toys or egg cups that people generally won’t use.

Check: Most easter egg makers are now using packaging that can be widely recycled. Simply check the packaging for recycling information before you buy.

Recycle all you can: Recycle as much of the packaging as you can in your green collection bin. This is the most convenient way to dispose of your household recycling.

Plastic windows: Cardboard egg boxes with plastic windows are hard to recycle. If you receive any, remove the plastic windows before recycling the cardboard box and plastic.

Work: Flatten the cardboard boxes, it save space in you bin.

Eggs: Don’t buy as many!

Egg Hunt Fun

Collections

Check your recycling collection day. Remember that with the long weekend, your usual recycling collection may change, so make sure to check your recycling calendar or call your local waste recyclers for updates.

About Repak

Repak is an environmental not-for-profit organisation, with a social mission to lead the recycling and sustainability of Ireland’s packaging; advocate for a new circular economy; and educate businesses and consumers on reducing and recycling packaging. Read more here.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT offer recycling opportunities to home and business customers for all types of electronics equipment. AT Recycle IT, recycling is available using free, drop-off, free community collections or through a cost-effective personal or business collection. Our team will accept any old household or small office electrical items alongside all types of metal and electrical or rechargeable garden equipment.

Recycle IT as a social enterprise works in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office.

To learn more about recycling electrical equipment please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321, email us or visit www.recycleit.ie

2025 Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards

On By JMCEIn Awards, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Event, News, Social Enterprise, sustainabilityLeave a comment

Social Enterprise Awards:

The 2025 Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards celebrate and support the amazing work done by social enterprises across Dublin. These awards, organised by Dublin City Council and is run by Inner City Enterprise (ICE) with support from Dublin City Council and the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) based in Dublin City. These award really shine a light on the positive impact social enterprises have on communities.

Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards 2025

What is Social Enterprise

A social enterprise is a business that trades for a social or environmental purpose. They reinvest profits to create social change and support local needs. Social enterprises can be involved in anything from education and employment to climate action and health. They play a key role in building stronger, fairer, and more inclusive communities.

The Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards are open to all types of social enterprises based in the Dublin City area or Social Enterprises offering products or services in Dublin City. Whether your enterprise is just starting or has been running for years, applying can be a big step forward. There are many good reasons to enter.

Why Enter?

1. Recognition and Credibility
Winning or even being shortlisted for an award can give your social enterprise a huge boost in reputation. It shows the public, partners, and funders that your work is being recognised and valued by others. It can also make people more confident in supporting or working with your organisation.

2. Funding Support
The award includes financial prizes, which can be a great help. This funding can be used to grow your services, support your team, or try something new. For small and growing social enterprises, this support can make a real difference.

3. Promotion and Visibility
Finalists and winners are promoted through Dublin City Council and partner channels. This means more people will hear about your work. You’ll get the chance to tell your story to a wider audience, attract new supporters, and possibly reach new customers or clients.

4. Motivation and Morale
Awards recognise hard work and dedication. Being part of the awards can lift the spirits of your team and volunteers. It reminds everyone that their efforts are making a difference. This kind of encouragement can go a long way, especially when times are tough.

5. Networking and Opportunities
The awards give you the chance to meet other social enterprises, funders, and supporters. These connections can lead to future collaborations, funding opportunities, or new ideas. Sharing experiences with others in the sector can also help you learn and grow.

Award Winners 2024

The Value of Awards for Social Enterprises

Beyond the prize itself, awards help raise awareness of what social enterprises do. They bring attention to local solutions to social problems. By celebrating social enterprise, we help grow a stronger sector that can tackle issues like poverty, exclusion, and climate change.

Entering awards also helps organisations reflect on their impact. The application process can help you think more clearly about your goals, successes, and how you measure progress. This can be useful even if you don’t win—helping your enterprise improve and grow.

Final Thoughts

If you run a social enterprise in Dublin, the 2025 Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards are a chance to share your story, get support, and be part of a growing movement. These awards are not just about winning—they’re about showing the value of your work and inspiring others to create positive change.

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 2024 Recycle IT operated drop-off and collection services to homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including 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 Leinster.

For further details about our free and cost-effective services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie

Recycle IT – Dublin City Social Enterprise Award Winner 2022

Spring Recycling with Sandyford Business District

On By JMCEIn Climate change, Collections, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Electronic EquipmentLeave a comment

Free Electrical Recycling:

Sandyford Business District is hosting a Free Electrical Recycling Event to help local people, employees working in nearby businesses, and businesses themselves recycle their old or broken electrical items safely and responsibly. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to promote sustainability and reduce waste in the community.

Event Photos

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday April 10th 2025
  • Time: 10am – 12pm
  • Location: Dominic Smith Expert Electrical Sandyford, Unit 4, Leopardstown Retail Park, D18
  • Recycler: Recycle IT
  • Cost: Free (household / small office electrical / electronic equipment).

This event provides a convenient way for everyone to dispose of unwanted electrical items without harming the environment. Whether it’s an old laptop, a broken toaster, or outdated office equipment, all electrical items will be collected and recycled properly.

Who Can Participate?

  • Local Residents – Get rid of old electrical items cluttering your home.
  • Employees in Local Businesses – Drop off broken personal gadgets or work-related electronic waste.
  • Businesses – Dispose of obsolete office electronics in an environmentally friendly way.

What Can You Recycle? You can bring in a wide range of electrical and electronic items, including:

  • Computers, laptops, and accessories
  • Desktop printers and scanners
  • Mobile phones and tablets
  • TVs and monitors
  • Kitchen appliances (toasters, kettles, microwaves, cookers etc.)
  • Cables, chargers, and batteries
Lighting for Recycling

Why Recycle Electronics? Electronic waste contains materials that can be harmful if not disposed of correctly. Recycling ensures that valuable components are recovered, reducing landfill waste and preventing pollution. By participating in this event, you contribute to a cleaner and greener Sandyford.

How to Take Part Simply bring your unwanted electrical items to the designated collection point on the event day. Our team will handle the rest, ensuring all items are processed safely.

Join us in making a positive impact!

About Recycle IT

Spread the word and encourage others to participate. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for our community.

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 2024 Recycle IT operated drop-off and collection services to homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including 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 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

Mixed IT for Recycling

Reusing or Recycling Toys

On By JMCEIn Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Electronic Equipment, Family, News, Social EnterpriseLeave a comment

Seven Billon Toys:

Did you know, the world threw out more than 7 billion e-toys in 2022. Electronic toys can be overlooked as electronic waste by many which means toys are not recycled correctly. According to the research completed by The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, 9 billion kg of so-called “invisible” e-waste, worth nearly $10 billion, is thrown away yearly. Around one-third of this waste comes from children’s toys containing some 3.2 billion kg of hidden electronics.

Toy Fun

Toys help create an imaginative world of play and fun, they can help build social skills and ease demands on parents!  Sometimes the most expensive toys are not the best option as kids enjoy playing with items from their homes. They can build props like a playhouse or space rocket out of reused cardboard boxes and tubes, creating their own special world.

Most homes with kids have lots of toys. Storage containers are filled to the brim with, dolls, action figures, building blocks, cars, remote-controlled flying machines, games devices,  and many other items. Our question? What do parents and children do with old favourites when the new toy or game arrives?

Battery-Operated Toys for Recycling – Recycle IT

Involve Children

Kid toys are exactly that, kids toys so it’s wise to keep children involved in any decisions regarding the future of their toys. Parents can be helpful by reinforcing the fact that their once loved yet unwanted items will be reused by kids with a greater need and the fact that the environment benefits by keeping these items out of landfills or incinerators should be valued.

Toy Reuse

With Christmas right around the corner, many people are looking to find the best toys to buy this Christmas. And if you’re adding new toys to your children’s collection, you might be wondering what to do with the old toys.

Here are all the places you can donate gently used toys, including electronics, stuffed animals, dolls and other items. Before you pack up the car, call ahead to make sure the organisation you’ve chosen is currently accepting donations.

Battery-Operated Toys for Recycling - Recycle IT
Mixed Battery-Operated Toys for Recycling – Recycle IT
  • Local charity shops
  • Community creche facilities or playgroups
  • Facebook or online community reuse groups
  • Hospitals or doctor’s surgery play areas
  • Children’s homes and shelters
  • Community daycare facilities
  • Schools
Battery-Operated Toys for Recycling - Recycle IT
Battery-Operated Toys for Recycling – Recycle IT

Electronic Toys

Toys with computer chips, computer screens, lights, noise, plugs, batteries or other electronic components can and should be recycled. They should not be added to domestic waste. We know from experience this is not the case as very few electrical toys make their way to us for recycling. Recycle IT offer collection and drop-off services and will accept electrical and electronic toys including games consoles, cameras, tablets, remote control cars or planes, dolls, action figures, watches or replica phones. The list is endless but any toy with a plug or battery is acceptable for recycling.

Finally… 

Recycling and repurposing are environmentally responsible. You should involve your children. You can make sure your children understand the concept of recycling and the value old or broken toys have for others. Reused toys can bring joy to a child or recycling can help create a job!

Toys IMG_1195 (1)
 Electronic Toys / Entertainment Equipment for Recycling – Recycle IT

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 2024 Recycle IT operated drop-off and collection services to homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE including 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 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

It’s Spring Clean Month – April 2025

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Community Spring Clean 2025:

National Spring Clean is Ireland’s most popular, well-recognized and successful anti-litter and waste initiative. It takes place in April each year.  The campaign encourages all sectors of society to actively participate and take responsibility for litter and waste. Remember you don’t have to wait for April!

National Spring Clean has been operated by An Taisce since 1999 in partnership with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

The size and scale of National Spring Clean events have grown steadily and significantly over the years. Taking part has real benefits for people including feeling good about supporting environmental activity, aiding practical clean-ups and increasing social interaction with people in your community.

In 2024 , 5,430 groups registered to carry out clean-ups throughout the country – Volunteers who participated in the Spring Clean 2024 collected an estimated 2,725 tonnes of litter. As many as 500,000 volunteers participate in the Spring Clean each year which is a credit to all involved. This year, it’s is your turn!

National Spring Clean 2025 aims to build on the progress and momentum from prior years to make this year the most successful April anti-litter campaign yet.

You can contact local resident associations, tidy town groups, schools, youth groups and other community groups as they usually get involved or organize events in your area.

Tips

Recycle IT have assembled some tips for organizing a successful National Spring Clean event in your area! We can all do a little bit in our immediate area to make a difference. While involved stay safe, wear hi-vis, and gloves, follow guidelines and enjoy the company of others.

National Spring Clean Photo

Time

  • You will need time to organize your event. Start planning at least a few weeks in advance. Spring is the best time to do a cleanup – before grass and weeds have a chance to hide rubbish and litter and make retrieval more difficult.
  • When you select a day or weekend for the cleanup, check with local community organisations and the local authority in your area to avoid any event conflict
  • Arrange for the collection and disposal of the waste collected.

Planning

  • A good plan will help your group set a direction and document the steps you need to take to organise the spring cleanup. Using an existing neighborhood cleanup committee or forming a new group is a great way to get things done efficiently and build ownership at the same time.
  • Use a Clean Up notebook to record names, numbers emails, dates and other important information. It’s good to document everything and maintain a clean-up file including photos. This can be used for grant applications and PR.
  • Determine your “cleanup area” to get an idea of the support you will need. Use a map to coordinate teams and pickup routes. Records litter black spots and any locations requiring special tools or equipment to get the job done.
  • Work to estimate the number of volunteers, assign tasks and develop a schedule.
Community Recycling – Itemed Collected for Safe Recycling

Teaming

  1. Remember letters or social media networks work well. If you do not know your neighbors, now is the right time to arrange Zoom or What’s-App calls. Introduce yourself and tell them what you would like to do. Do not ask for a commitment — that will come later — just get a feel for the support you have.
  2. There may be groups within your community that regularly organize community projects. Consider partnering with these or other groups, even if they are not in your area.
  3. Businesses and your local authority take pride in their communities. Ask them to help with this community effort by donating items or funding to support the event.
  4. Take photos to share photos on websites, social media and in newsletter articles or annual reports.

Promotion

Hi Vis – National Spring Clean
  • Consider creating a promotional flyer to distribute via email to local businesses and organisations.
  • Specify what will be or will not be accepted; provide options for those items.
  • Inform residents about the pickup times. Specify the clean-up will occur regardless of the weather. 
  • Include details of the cleanup in your parish and community newsletters, on social media, websites, local radio and newspapers.
  • Invite the media to do a story on your cleanup – this is good recognition of volunteers, donors or sponsors.

Getting Started

Before you start, gather everyone together, to review the event and answer questions. Have a cleanup plan with a start and finish point in an estate or street with groups starting at both ends and working towards the middle. Spread volunteers out so they have plenty to do while having fun.

Organizer Duties

  • Register interested parties.
  • Ensure everyone is aware of safety requirements and areas to avoid.
  • Make sure children are safe and supervised by adults.
  • Answer questions on collection and removal.
  • Have brochures and coupons available on how to dispose of items you cannot accept (WEEE, batteries, hazardous waste, tires, oil, etc.).
  • Make sure plenty of water, mobile phones and a first aid kit on-site.
  • Keep details for emergency service at hand.
  • Keep a positive attitude. don’t get overwhelmed and avoid overwork – you can do more another day!

Whats Needed!

  • Volunteers
  • Bin bags
  • Safety signs and general safety
  • Gloves/heavy-duty
  • Buckets for sharp objects
  • Tools (ropes, rakes, shovels, etc.)
  • Trees/wildflowers/grass seeds
  • Hi-Vis Safety Vests
  • First Aid Kit
  • List of mobile phone numbers
  • After clean-up events e.g. BBQ or picnic
WEEE To Work - Recycle IT
WEEE To Work – Recycle IT

Say Thanks

Take every opportunity to mention the support of your volunteers, especially when talking to the media. You should write thank you letters to key community groups and local businesses/donors. Provide copies of photos for their archives.

And Finally

Record what worked well and what didn’t. This means you do not have to reinvent the wheel this time next year! This information will be important for new and future members of the cleanup group.

If you would like to include a residents association door 2 door recycling collection for electrical, electronic and pure metal items as part of your local spring clean please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321 or email info@recylceit.ie.

You can get community clean-up guidelines here and register 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 is supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across the east midlands waste region

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

To get your spring clean pack and more information click here

Recycle IT Logo

Electrical Equipment – 36 Simple Recycling Tips 🌍

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

For Homes and Offices

Households and small offices should prioritize easy and safe electrical and electronic recycling to reduce e-waste, prevent pollution, and conserve natural resources. Proper disposal minimizes toxic hazards, supports a circular economy, and promotes sustainability. Recycling responsibly protects the environment, conserves energy, and fosters a cleaner, healthier community for everyone.

Here are 36 simple tips and reasons for households and small offices to focus on easy and safe electrical and electronic recycling in their community:

Promoting Electrical and Electronic Recycling – Recycle IT

Why Recycling Matters

  1. Reduces E-Waste – Prevents harmful waste from ending up in landfills.
  2. Protects the Environment – Stops toxic substances like lead and mercury from polluting soil and water.
  3. Saves Energy – Recycling materials requires less energy than mining new ones.
  4. Conserves Natural Resources – Reduces the need for raw materials like metals and plastics.
  5. Reduces Carbon Footprint – Helps lower emissions from manufacturing new products.
  6. Prevents Illegal Dumping – Ensures hazardous waste is properly handled.
  7. Promotes a Circular Economy – Recycled materials can be reused in new products.
  8. Supports Local Jobs – Encourages employment and training in recycling.
  9. Improves Community Cleanliness – Reduces clutter and dumping of old electronics.
  10. Encourages Responsible Consumption – Promotes awareness about sustainability.
Mixed Electrical and Electronic Equipment – Recycle IT

How to Recycle Safely

  1. Find Local Recycling Programs – Check government or community websites for e-waste collection and centres – Recycle IT is one!
  2. Use Retailer Take-Back Services – Many stores accept old electronics when purchasing new ones.
  3. Donate Working Devices – Offer functional electronics to schools, charities, or community centres.
  4. Schedule E-Waste Collection Days – Participate in local events for safe disposal.
  5. Remove Personal Data – Wipe all devices before or during recycling to protect your information.
  6. Separate Batteries – Dispose of all equipment properly to avoid leaks and fire hazards.
  7. Know What Can Be Recycled – Items like old phones, laptops, printers, and cables can be recycled.
  8. Avoid Landfill Disposal – Never throw electronics in any domestic or office bin.
  9. Use Authorised Recyclers – Choose recycling initiatives approved by authorities with collection and facility permits to allow safe recycling.
  10. Follow Local Guidelines – Some areas have specific rules for disposing of e-waste.
Mixed Electrical and Electronic Equipment – Recycle IT

Easy Steps for Home / Office Recycling

  1. Create a Recycling Station – Set up a dedicated space for used electronics.
  2. Label Recycling Bins – Clearly mark bins for batteries, cables, and devices.
  3. Educate Family & Employees – Inform others about e-waste recycling importance.
  4. Encourage Repairs – Fix devices instead of replacing them when possible.
  5. Upgrade Responsibly – Sell or trade in old electronics when upgrading.
  6. Use Cloud Storage – Reduce the need for physical storage devices.
  7. Unplug Unused Devices – Reduces energy waste and extends product lifespan.
  8. Buy Recycled Products – Support brands that use recycled materials.
  9. Minimize Purchases – Only buy new electronics when necessary.
  10. Support E-Waste Policies – Advocate for better recycling laws in your community.
Mixed Electrical and Electronic Equipment – Recycle IT

Benefits of E-Waste Recycling

  1. Less Clutter at Home & Office – Keeps spaces organized and free of old tech.
  2. Encourages Responsible Manufacturing – Companies improve designs for reuse and recyclability.
  3. Promotes Sustainable Living – Helps build a greener future.
  4. Reduces Health Risks – Prevents exposure to harmful e-waste chemicals.
  5. Improves Waste Management – Ensures better handling of hazardous materials.
  6. Builds a Conscious Community – Encourages collective efforts for environmental responsibility.

By adopting these simple habits, households and small offices can contribute to a safer and greener planet while managing their electronics responsibly!

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning, not-for-profit, social enterprise established to create employment and promote environmental awareness through recycling and reuse. We work in partnership with WEEE Ireland and are authorized by your local authority to provide electrical, electronic and pure metal recycling collections across Dublin since 2007. Recycle IT are fully compliant with WEEE Recycling Requirements and permit details are available here.

For more information about Recycle IT please click here.

Team Recylce IT