Tag: Business

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

Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards 2024

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Social Enterprise Awards

The Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards aim to support social enterprise startup and development in Dublin City. They are like a big celebration for social businesses that try to make the world a better place. These businesses aren’t just focused on making money to move forward; they also want to help people, our communities, and/or the environment.

Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards Logo

Imagine a competition where companies from Dublin show off their amazing ideas and projects that help the community or solve important problems. These could be things like creating jobs for people who might struggle to find work, activities to support young people or coming up with eco-friendly products that reduce waste.

Activities

Think about a coffee shop or cafe that hires people who might find it hard to get a job, like individuals with disabilities, people who are homeless and/or long term unemployed people. Or think about a company that sells eco-friendly services or products and uses its profits to support environmental causes. These are examples of social enterprises.

So, in simple terms, social enterprises in Ireland are businesses that do good while also making a living. They aim to tackle social or environmental issues while running a successful operation. It’s all about balancing profit with a purpose to create positive change in society.

Social Enterprise Loaf Catering – Café in Kilmainham, Dublin

The Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards recognize these social businesses for their vision, hard work and the positive impact they have on society. It’s a way to cheer them on and encourage communities and people to start their own social enterprises based on an identified need. So, it’s a win-win situation – businesses get recognition for their good deeds, and the community benefits from their efforts.

Formally – What is a Social Enterprise in Ireland?

1: A social enterprise is an enterprise whose objective is to achieve a social, societal or environmental impact, rather than maximizing profit for its owners or shareholders.

2: It pursues its objectives by trading on an ongoing basis through the provision of goods and/or services, and by reinvesting surpluses into achieving social objectives.

3: It is governed in a fully accountable and transparent manner and is independent of the public sector. If dissolved, it should transfer its assets to another organisation with a similar mission

To us, a social enterprise is a special kind of business with a big heart. Instead of just focusing on making money, they care a lot about helping people and/or making the world a better place. Really, it’s all about using a business model and people skills to make a positive impact in a specific area of need which is underserved.

Social Enterprise – Frontline Bikes, Inchicore, Dublin 8

Apply Now

The Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards were established by Inner City Enterprise (ICE) and Dublin City Council with the support of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Dublin City in 2015. Each year, a fund of approximately €60,000 is distributed among innovative social enterprises. 

To learn more please click here. To download the application form click here

Once complete you can submit this completed application form along with all supporting documentation to lauradennehy@innercityenterprise.com.

Submission Deadline for Applications: 23:59 – 31st of May 2024.

What the 2023 awards footage here

Recycle IT

In 2022 Recycle IT were delighted to receive a Dublin City Social Enterprise Award. The award showed we make a real difference and it boost our credibility in the eyes of customers, funders, and the community.

Overall, receiving a social enterprise award can help you elevate your social business to the next level, both in terms of impact and sustainability. It opens up new opportunities and resources that can fuel your mission and drive positive change in the world.

Recycle IT, are a social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, the Dormant Accounts Fund, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster.

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

Recycle IT at the Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards 2022

2023 Report – Social Enterprises in Ireland

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

The Report

The report “Social Enterprises in Ireland: A Baseline Data Collection Exercise” provides a comprehensive overview of the social enterprise sector in Ireland, including its size, economic impact, employment and volunteer participation, and governance structures.

The work was commissioned by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and carried out by a consortium. Full details of the consortium can be found in the report.

Please read on to view some of the key findings of the report, download a copy and view a video of social enterprise at work!

Size and Distribution of Social Enterprises

  • There are an estimated 4,335 social enterprises operating in Ireland, with a wide range of activities, including social care, environmental sustainability, community development, and education.
  • Social enterprises are geographically dispersed throughout Ireland, with significant clusters in Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
  • There are approximately 8.5 social enterprises per 10,000 inhabitants. 57% of social enterprises are in urban areas (8.3 per 10,000 inhabitants) while 43% are in rural areas (10.5 per 10,000 inhabitants).

Economic Impact

  • Social enterprises generate an estimated €2.34 billion in annual income, representing 0.63% of Ireland’s GDP.
  • Social enterprises employ 84,382 people, (including full-time, part-time employees and contractors). This represents 3.7% of the total Irish workforce.

Employment and Volunteer Participation

  • Social enterprises provide a significant source of employment for people with disabilities, migrants, and other marginalized groups.
  • An estimated 74,825 volunteers participate in the social enterprise sector, including 30,324 board members.
  • The age of the workforce is predominantly between 31 to 50. Women represent 69% of the workforce across the sector and 47% of the workforce is part-time.
  • Labour Market Programmes are an important feature of the sector with 60% of those with paid staff employing people this way.

Governance Structures

  • Social enterprises are governed by a variety of structures, including limited companies, charities, and community interest companies.
  • Social enterprises are increasingly adopting more formal governance structures, such as limited companies, in order to access new sources of funding and grow their businesses.

Challenges and Opportunities

  • Social enterprises face a number of challenges, including a lack of awareness and understanding of the sector, limited access to finance, and a shortage of skilled staff.
  • Social enterprises also represent a significant opportunity to address social and environmental challenges, promote social inclusion, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

The report concludes by outlining a number of recommendations for policymakers, funders, and support organizations to further develop and support the social enterprise sector in Ireland. These recommendations include:

  • Increasing awareness of the social enterprise sector
  • Providing more funding opportunities for social enterprises
  • Developing skills training and support for social enterprises
  • Strengthening the regulatory framework for social enterprises

Overall, the report provides a valuable resource for understanding the social enterprise sector in Ireland and its potential to contribute to a more socially and economically sustainable society.

To access the full report please click here.

About Recycle IT

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

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster. Recycle IT receive funding thorough the Community Services Programme (CSP) operated by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD)

Watch the video below to learn more.

Video – Pobal and Recycle IT

Visit our website for further details.

10 Community Reuse or Recycling Organisations in Dublin

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Life cycle….paint, computers, lights, dishwashers…

Ireland and Dublin, in particular, is home to a number of community reuse and waste prevention initiatives aimed at recovering and reusing valuable resources that have been acquired by customers to serve a need or first life use. When that first life use is served many offices, household or leisure products can be reused and enjoyed by our follow consumers!

Reuse Ideas shared by Recycle IT

Reuse is the practice of using an item more than once, extending its useful life. Often reuse involves a change of ownership; reuse can also involve “re-purposing,” or giving an item a second life through a function other than its original purpose. When we think about it, reuse is one of the oldest forms of waste management and was practiced by previous generations. I remember as a child collecting and returning empty glass soft drink bottles to the shops in order to claim the deposit. Lots of people engaged in reuse or recycle long before waste became a business and disposal the norm

Disposable product culture

In the 20th century manufacturing, marketing and advertising practices helped drive a disposable product culture. Many products including cars, or electrical and electronic appliances now build-in technical, design and perceived obsolescence. After a year they lose the latest and greatest tag.

Paint Reuse

Concerns about the environmental, economic and social sustainability of continually manufacturing new stuff,  has promoted a resurgence in reuse and re-purposing everyday items. Some citizens and nations have embraced this resurgence while others pay lip service to reuse.

It has to be said, reuse on its own is only one step, but once included as part of the strategy, reuse can play its part in helping keep our world green.

Reuse v Recycling

Reuse does not break items down to their component parts in order to reprocess them into new materials. While recycling reduces the amount of discarded items that are sent to landfills or incinerators, reuse extends the useful life of whole items and creates a local community loop that keeps the items out of the waste stream altogether. Reuse in all its forms needs to be considered with clothes and fabric a fine example of a successful income-generating reuse model which supports charitable projects across the world.

Recycled Washing Machine Drum
Recycled Washing Machine Drums

There are a number of organizations in Ireland that can help with reuse for items including clothes, furniture, paint, mattress, home appliances or IT equipment.

List of organizations involved with reuse in Dublin, Ireland

Busy Bees – Furniture

The Upcycle Movement – Various

Irish Charity Shops Association – Clothes, Toys, and Household Items

Sunflower Recycling – Paper, Cardboard, and Cans

Rediscovery Centre –  Bikes, Fashion, Furniture, and Paint

Recycle IT  – Computers, Tumble Dryers, and Small Electrical Appliances

Rehab Recycling – Washing Machines

ReCreate Ireland – Arts and Crafts

Reusing Dublin – Unused and Underused Spaces

Eco Mattress –  Bed Mattress

It worth noting, a focus on reuse has many benefits including

  • Reuse plays an important role in diverting waste from landfills and is the second step in the waste management hierarchy of “reduce, reuse, recycle.”
  • Reusing materials saves money, energy, and natural resources, therefore, improving our environment and reducing the negative effects of climate change.
  • Reuse has the potential for creating new markets for materials, new product and opportunities for training and employment.

Recycle IT encourage reuse and recycling and can help you with the collection of electrical and electronic equipment, anything with a plug or battery. Our Dublin based colleagues and members of the Community Reuse Network can also help so please do click on the links above to learn more.

For more information on electrical recycling and reuse, call Recycle IT on 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie

 

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Recycle IT – JCI Eco-Friendy Award Winner 2019  

Recycling Computers – 9 Reasons

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

A Wonderful World of Computers 

Every day is a recycling day for our team. It’s our passion and the reason we share regular news, updates and information related to recycling.

In this post, we have particularly focused on recycling computer or IT equipment. As we all know there are tons of old PCs and laptops in homes and offices which are of no further use and could be recycled for reuse.

Laptop Computers for Recycling

Computers are a fast expanding stream of waste in Europe and across the developed world.

Consumers regularly update computers creating a waste mountain that continues to build. Thousands of obsolete computers are discarded every.

In 2018 United Nations University show that only 20% of e-waste (computers are a big part of e-waste) is collected and recycled while the fate of the other 80% is unknown. In 2024 Irish Central Statistic Office data revealed, seven in ten (70%) internet users said that their most recently disposed of mobile phone or smartphone is still at home. Nearly six in ten (58%) said that their old Laptop or tablet was still at home. Over one quarter of respondents (26%) still have their old desktop computer at home.

Computers should never be discarded without engaging with an authorised recycler. They contain toxic substances which can harm health and wellbeing. Some electronics or e-waste finds its’ way to the developing world where it causes harm to local people including children.

PC Recycling - Recycle IT
PC Recycling – Recycle IT

Computing Statistics

According to Statista 2022 As of January 2021, there were 4.66 billion active internet users worldwide – 59.5 of the global population. Of this total, 92.6 per cent (4.32 billion) accessed the internet via mobile devices. In 2021 alone, approximately 340 million PCs were shipped around the world. That is a lot of PCs that can be reused and/or recycled.

Computer Recycling

Continuous updates in technology are hard to keep up with. Every 12 – 18 months’ new models of computers, laptops, tablets and even phones are introduced. This, in turn, makes older models obsolete, and since they cannot be thrown in the bin, reuse or recycling becomes an option.

Computer recycling hopefully means giving old computers to a licensed waste facility where they are tested for reuse or disassembled into component parts for reuse. If required these components can be further broken down and reused as raw material for a new purpose.

A record 53.6 million metric tonnes (Mt) of electronic waste was generated worldwide in 2019, up 21 per cent in just five years, according to the UN’s Global E-waste Monitor 2020.

IT-AC2
Broken Down Computers Hard Drives – Recycle IT

9 Reasons to Recycle Your Old Computer

  1. Recycling and Natural Resources

A lot of materials and parts can be recovered from old electronics. These materials can be reused as raw materials to make new products, thus reducing the need and cost to mine new materials. (e.g. metals like copper and iron)  Did you know the metals recovered from a computer’s circuit board can be recycled to make new circuit boards for other electronics items like house alarms or monitors?

  1. Recycling Computers and the Environment

Recycling is very eco-friendly, as it prevents hazardous waste like lead from entering our environment Many old computers contain harmful materials like lead and mercury, and if disposed of improperly, may harm humans, animals or the environment. Instead of dumping electronic equipment or storing items in the house or office why not recycle the items safely 

  1. Computer Recycling and Local Employment

Considering that more than 90% of computer products are recyclable, recycling can play a part in creating employment. Social Enterprises such as Recycle IT recovers electronic waste each day. The more equipment collected and recycled the greater the opportunities for future employment. Recycling is labour intensive and employment can be boosted by recycling locally so support social enterprises like Recycle IT to create jobs!

  1. Computer Reuse Supports the Community

Reuse of old computers and electrical equipment can help support the development of community training opportunities. You can enable people to access a computer, learn about technology, build confidence and prepare for a bright future in their community by simply giving your older computer for reuse by community groups or community educational programmes.

  1. Eco-Friendly Benefits

The amount of WEEE being discarded grows daily. Over time, the waste accumulates to take up valuable space in homes, offices warehouses and even outdoors. If toxins leak they can infiltrate soil and water systems which can cause soil and water pollution. Recycling can help reserve these consequences and protect the environment from pollution.

  1. Economic Benefits

Some newer computer equipment can be traded. This type of reuse helps the environment and your pocket. Many retail shops are offering trade-in options where you take back old electronic equipment and trade in to reduce the cost of the new equipment. Trading in means economic benefits for you, the consumer and helps shops and manufacturers close the loop on recycling.

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Mixed Electronics for Recycling – Recycle IT
  1. Recycling Supports Reuse

Recycling helps in the recovery of materials used in the initial manufacturing process. Many parts of computer hardware are reusable, and recycling them prevents them from going to waste. When recycling is complete correctly, fewer resources and energy are needed to manufacture the same products again.

  1. Recycling WEEE under Irish Legislation

To address increasing electrical and electronic waste streams the EU introduced the WEEE directive – 2002/96/EC.  Ireland implemented this legislation on time and approved two compliance schemes; WEEE Ireland and ERP Ireland.   The WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC from August 13th, 2005, places the obligation upon all producers and distributors of waste electronic and electrical equipment to comply. We can all help with compliance by recycling. You can try one of the many retail take-back schemes, your local bring centre or recycle with a community organisation.

  1. Social Donation

Social responsibility sometimes includes being able to donate to worthy causes. What you might consider an old computer may be a valuable resource which can be passed to others including families and children who can’t afford to buy a new computer. Refurbishment of computers allows reuse by others including community groups or low-income families.

Computer Recycling

Recycle for Reuse

Instead of keeping dusty old computers at home or in the office please consider recycling them for component reuse. As you can see it is extremely beneficial to both the environment and community.

Remember computers and similar items can be dropped off at no cost or you can avail of a free community collection service while we are in your area. Recycle IT can also offer a cost-effective personal or business collection if you decide to declutter or create space.

Call our team on 01 4578321 or click here to email for further information.

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 offers, drop off and collection services to over thousands of homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TVs.

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.

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Recycle IT – Repak Award Winner 2019 – WEEE Champion