Tag: electrical

Gaming Consoles – Recycle Safely

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

Best Selling

30 years ago, on September 9, 1995, the original PlayStation made its debut in North America, ringing in an era of gaming success for Sony. The chart below from Statista shows, the original PlayStation is the fourth best-selling home console of all time, beaten only by the PlayStation 4, the Nintendo Switch and its own successor, the PlayStation 2, which sold 160 million units over its lifetime. Source: Statista Research Department.

Benefits

Did you know there are benefits to playing videogames? A National Institutes of Health study of nearly 2,000 children found that those who reported playing video games for three hours per day or more performed better on cognitive skills tests involving impulse control and working memory compared to children who had never played video games. Other reported benefits include improved problem-solving skills and logic, increased hand-to-eye coordination, greater multi-tasking ability and faster and more accurate decision-making.

Photo by JESHOOTS.com on Pexels.com

Generally games consoles are devices designed for the sole purpose of playing video games usually at home. A games console is really a computer used to play video or virtual games, on a TV or monitor. Some devices are very portable and are handheld with screens.

Some Facts

Ireland’s total video games revenue was €397m in 2024 and it is expected to reach €503m by 2029. Social and casual gaming (online gaming) totaled €180m in 2024 and will rise to €240m in 2029 with a 5.9% CAGR. A paradigm shift in Ireland’s video games market will come in 2029, when social/casual gaming revenue will overtake traditional gaming (physical gaming on PCs and games consoles)

There are nine console generations, with the current leading providers being Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo with the Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch used to play games like FIFA 22, Farming Simulator 22 and Minecraft. You can also watch Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus on your games console.

Games Console, Controllers and Games – Recycle IT

Games are either downloaded directly onto the device via the internet online store or inserted into the device as a disc or card.

Many game consoles and games are aimed at children There is no official or recommended age for a child to have or use a games console. Video games are given age ratings similar to movies.

In general, using a game console with your children is fun. Adults can refamiliarise themselves with gaming, how new games work and how children are likely to use them. This can be a great way to show responsible and positive use of technology and show your child you are interested in what they do!

Reuse and Repair

After many years of fun, your game’s console may need to be updated with new software or hardware (if possible) or if damaged it can be repaired for reuse. There are several repair options available and they should be considered before saying goodbye to your console.

Saying goodbye isn’t always easy. After all, you likely spent many in-game hours together playing a starring role for your favourite sports team. Your console has likely brought you, your family and friends, many moments of joy and frustration.

However, the time will come to move on to a new console. With new console releases never far away you might consider a replacement. But before you do that, there are some important things that you need to do to stay cyber-safe (and keep your information and payment details safe).

Here are some steps to take before you sell, donate, or recycle your old console:

Games Console and Controller

Today many consoles are backwards compatible. This means that some, or most of the games from your old consoles should work with the new device To save your old games you can back your data up by:

  • Saving your data to an external hard drive.
  • Transferring your data from the old console to the new console by linking via a network.
  • Saving your data to a cloud service for your system.

Your gaming console can have personal information stored. Anything from email addresses to multiple credit card numbers to social media and cloud streaming accounts. If in the wrong hands, this can cause you lots of problems.

You can remove all your accounts from your console. In the setting menu, you can usually delete your credit card information, email addresses, social media links, or linked accounts. For purchased apps, you can sign out and manage your account information in your app settings.

A further option involves resetting the console back to when you first removed it from the box as new. Doing this reset will also make all of the information that was saved inaccessible through the user interface. You can usually do a reset in the settings menu.

Safe Recycling

Now that you have backed up your files and reset your console back to factory settings you may wish to dispose of the device in the waste or recycling bin. Please Don’t

Proper disposal including disposal of cables and chargers is important particularly if you didn’t try the above. Remember is also bad for the environment if you don’t recycle carefully

Games Console

Try the following

  • Reuse your console by gifting it to someone you know.
  • Donate your console to a local youth or community organisation,
  • Resell your device after wiping or destroying the hard disk drive / returning to factory settings.
  • Recycle your console instead of throwing it into the bin.
  • Recycle your console cables and related equipment at the same time!

Because electronics contain many damaging chemicals and reusable parts you should recycle safely at a dedicated e-recycling centre like Recycle IT. If you can’t or don’t wish to wipe the hard disk drive within the console before recycling, Recycle IT can help.

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 – Dublin City Social Enterprise Awardee 2025

Eco-Friendly Recycling for Schools and Colleges

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

Recycling Benefits

Educational institutions in Dublin and surrounding areas now have the opportunity to safely recycle outdated electrical, electronic, and metal equipment. Our initiative provides a secure and responsible way to declutter facilities while creating valuable space for educational purposes.”

“It is important for schoolchildren, teenagers and adults to witness electronic recycling, as it helps them understand the value of protecting the environment by reducing electronic waste. Recycling also educates all age groups on conserving resources, preventing pollution, and taking responsibility for the proper disposal of old electronics—contributing to a healthier planet for everyone. This may be the perfect time to involve your students in some positive recycling activities.”

Reducing old electronics keeps harmful materials out of landfills, protecting the environment. When handled by authorised professionals, these materials are safely dismantled and processed using eco-friendly methods.

Mixed IT Equipment

Free Collection Service

Our service is offered free and is dedicated to reducing large amounts of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) which accumulates in classrooms, canteens, stores, and labs over time.

Recycle IT, is a community-based social enterprise, offering a simple and efficient route to recycle unused electrical and electronic items. After collection, items are broken down and recovered materials are processed for use in the manufacture of a new product. Your recycling helps sustain our organization and create employment and training opportunities.

The free collection service helps safely divert e-waste from landfills and makes use of old items that may have been thrown away. The types of items usually collected include computers, kitchen equipment, phone systems, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, monitors, projectors, printers, battery-operated toys, televisions, and radios. Please click here for a full list 

Our team can offer a cost-effective collection to a school further away. The fee charged covers operational costs related to the collection.

Our learning sector collection service is organised as part of our free community collection service. Recycle IT also support WEEE Ireland with collections of batteries from schools around Dublin which in turn supports the work of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.

During the last 18 months, our teams have worked with hundreds of schools, colleges, and youth training organisations all over Dublin to achieve an overall increase in electrical equipment collected for recycling with a similar trend in 2024.

We are delighted to be in a position to help your staff, students and organisation safely recycle all types of electrical, electronic and pure metal equipment so do email us. Recycling with us directly creates real training opportunities and maintains employment levels within our social enterprise.

Register an interest

Schools, colleges, and trainers of all types in Dublin and the surrounding area are welcome to register an interest: Simply complete a registration form by clicking here or call our team on 01 4578321 Monday – Friday. Once you call or email we can help you plan and schedule your e-waste collection which will help:

School Electronics for Recycling
  • Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators.
  • Conserves natural resources such as water and minerals.
  • Increases economic well-being and creates local training and employment opportunities.
  • Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials.
  • Saves energy.
School Collections Supported by WEEE Ireland

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.

Mixed Metal Equipment

35 Reduce, Reuse Repurpose and Recycling Tips

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Go Green for Life

Recycling is an easy way to protect our environment and climate while ensuring the wellbeing of our community for the next generation. However, the success of recycling depends on the active participation of every member of the community including kids of all ages.

Homemade Bird Feeder

By everyone doing a little, we all can reduce the amount of waste that is deposited in the landfill or incinerated. Thinking about the reuse of materials made from recycled materials helps maintain the recycling circle and its part in the circular economy.

Reuse fosters creativity and innovation, encouraging individuals and communities to find inventive ways to extend the lifespan of products before finally recycling safely. Reuse promotes a culture of sustainability and responsible consumption, empowering people to make environmentally conscious choices in their daily lives

Eco-Friendly Reuse.

35 reuse and recycling tips

  1. Use both sides of the page when writing or drawing
  2. Give your kids or local schools part used printed paper for drawing
  3. Bring your food to school or work using a reusable tubs
  4. Books can be reused by donating them to libraries, schools, or community centers.
  5. Rent or hire school books and other school supplies (yearly reuse)
  6. Hire gardening tools that you only use occasionally
  7. Reclaim your plastic bottle deposit by recycling for reuse.
  8. Think about getting a sparkling water maker to reduce plastic bottles
  9. Make a bird feeder by reusing any medium size plastic bottles you have at home.  
  10. Opt for low-energy light bulbs
  11. Give your unwanted clothes a second life
  12. Reuse and repair as much as possible – shoes, clothes etc.
  13. Offer seasonal kids costumes to clothes to others as your kids grow!  
  14. Choose to buy bars of soap
  15. Choose long life or durable products e.g. reusable razors or ink pens
  16. Use rechargeable batteries in home appliances
  17. Avoid unnecessary purchasing of occasion products, e.g. Christmas, Easter
  18. Offer gifts, such as tickets for a show, sports event or concert leading to reduce material content
  19. Choose eco-friendly products – read the labels
  20. Buys product with less packaging
  21. Buy regularly use products in bulk, e.g. canned and jarred products.
  22. Reuse shopping bags
  23. Use refillable products e.g. coffee, loss tea
  24. Drink tap water from a reusable glass, cup or bottle
  25. Prepared food at home for picnics while reusing flasks, tubs, knives, forks, and reusable carry bags
  26. Choose fresh food rather than processed food, healthier and less packaging
  27. Bake cakes and muffins instead of buying! 
  28. Limited home and office printing, share files over email or file sharing tools e.g. dropbox
  29. Recycle ink cartridges – where you purchased your ink! 
  30. Bring a mug and glass to work to refill coffee, tea or water during the working day
  31. Approach office supply companies about purchasing used office equipment
  32. Cycle to work or college rather than taking the bus or car
  33. Car share where distances are longer and where public transport is not accessible.
  34. Take your uneaten food home from restaurants in a doggy bag.
  35. Composite garden cuttings to create a natural fertilizer

The 4 Rs

In Ireland and across Europe, the focus on the 3 R’s has increased over recent years As recovery of resources through, reduce, reuse, repurposing and recycling has increased it has become increasingly important for consumers to take ownership and steps themselves to ensure products purchases can be reused, repurposed or recycled using accessible and economically sustainable solutions.

Reuse In Ireland – Click here to go larger

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 – Truck

Is Ireland Winning the WEEE Battle?

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Report for 2020

The Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published its annual Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Statistics Report for 2020.

We are delighted to share the news that a record 64,856 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment were collected in Ireland for processing.

Mixed Household Electrical Equipment

This is the highest quantity ever recorded in Ireland. However, for the second year, we did not meet the waste electrical and electronic equipment collection target of 65%. We achieved a 60% collection rate, slightly reduced from the 61% recorded for 2019.

Recycling Trends

The trends identified by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency are listed below.

  • Ireland collected a record 64,856 tonnes of WEEE for treatment.
  • Ireland achieved a WEEE collection rate of 60% in 2020 as efforts to increase collection were outpaced by the growth in Electrical and Electronic Equipment placed on the market.
  • Large household equipment accounted for 56% (by weight). This includes washing machines, tumble dryers, cookers, ovens etc. ‘
  • Small electrical equipment accounts for 17% (by weight) of electrical items collected. This includes coffee machines, food processors, radios, kettles, toasters and similar items.
  • Fridges and freezers accounted for 16% (by weight).
Percentage Breakdown of WEEE collected in 2020 by Weight

Buying and Recycling

Generally, the purchase and usage of electronic goods are closely linked to people’s economic wealth. This is reflected in the WEEE data for Ireland for 2008-2020 shown in Figure 2.

Screens and Monitors

It is evident that the economic recession between 2008 and 2011 led to a decrease in the quantity of WEEE collected and recovered, as Irish householders and businesses did not replace electrical and electronic equipment as frequently during this period.

The growth in the Irish economy since 2012 has led to large rises in electrical equipment collected and recovered, which reached record highs in 2020.

This rise matches the reported increases in retail sales of electrical goods in 2020. The trend is likely attributable to changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic such as the widespread shift to remote working and a surge in household clear-outs.

Based on data provided by the Producer Register Limited, Ireland’s national register of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), there was an increase of 11% in overall EEE placed on the market in Ireland in 2020 compared with 2019, while there were considerably larger increases in quantities of ‘small IT and communications equipment, screens and monitors’ which rose by 32% and 31% respectively

Communication Equipment

European Reporting

As part of annual reporting under the EU WEEE Directive, the EPA compiles statistics on WEEE collection and treatment in Ireland. The data are required to be submitted to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, by 30th June of the reference year +2 (i.e. 2020 data were collected and processed in 2021 and reported in 2022). Following validation of the data by Eurostat, official statistics for all Member States are published on the Eurostat website as part of the following dataset here.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT, is an award-winning Dublin-based, not-for-profit, social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by Pobal, the Dormant Accounts Fund, and South Dublin County Council. Recycle IT is authorised 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

Electrical items collection for recycling

Climate Change – What to do?

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Learn what you can do!

Recycling allows materials to be reused, re-purposed or recycled again and again.  This helps in conserving wildlife habitats, avoids further pollution and saves energy. Recycling safely alongside other small simple changes in your life can really make a difference to climate change.

Waste sent to landfill sites costs Irish taxpayers millions of euros every year, much of which could be saved by recovery, reuse or recycling. Waste produces emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas contributing to climate change and after a number of years with severe weather events we can all see the effects of the climate change first hand.

Climate Change is Here
Climate Change is Here

Meeting emissions target is going to be very tough for Ireland. In 2012 the EPA estimated Ireland will exceed its allocated limit by 2017.

Ireland’s apparent inability to meet its obligations for emissions reduction is due to our transport and agriculture sectors but immediate help is available by simply taking one less trip, using a bike, going for a walk locally and by reducing reusing and recycling items around your house, school, warehouse, store or office.

The United Nations reported less than 20% of e-waste (electric or electronic waste) is formally recycled, with 80% either ending up in landfill or being informally recycled – much of it by hand in developing countries, exposing workers to hazardous and carcinogenic substances such as mercury, lead and cadmium. E-waste in landfill contaminates soil and groundwater, putting food supply systems and water sources at risk.

These type of activities and the negative effects are not unique to developing countries and can happen in Ireland if your items are disposed off incorrectly. Sometimes free “junk” collectors can be too good to be real!

Routes to ease Climate Change in 21

Below you will find 12 tips to help reduce the impacts of climate change, tips such as:

1: Switch to a renewable energy supplier in 2021.

2: Replace old kitchen appliances with energy efficient electrical appliances and recycle safely.

3: Use cleaner, greener light bulbs.

4: Unplug devices for climate, safety and money reasons.

5: Think about the way you travel and how often.

6: Insulate your home.

7: Plant a tree or two.

8: Grow your own fruit and veg.

9: Separate household waste.

10: Make and use your own compost bin.

11: Holiday in Ireland.

12: Cycle and include the family.

13: Recycle old paint cans at a recycling centre.

14: Don’t fill the kettle to make a cup of coffee or tea.

Recycling WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).

If your in Ireland and have electrical, electronic, battery or lighting waste, you can Recycle IT free at authorised collection points. Use the interactive map to find your nearest local recycling centre, public collection day, electrical retailer and bulb exchange store. Even waste portable batteries can be recycled at your local newsagent.

In Dublin, the local authorities in South Dublin, Dublin City and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown work with Recycle IT to help offer residents collections for electrical and electronic waste as well as pure metal items. This annual service offered across suburbs in Dublin and helps householders dispose of large and small electrical appliances, IT equipment, small house gadgets and powered toys.

Recycle IT help thousands of householders and apartment dwellers yearly with their electrical recycling by providing an authorized, awarding winning, free or cost effective WEEE recycling collections.

The collections are held on week days with residents associations leading the way. Your local residents groups after making arrangements will notified you of your collection day with a flyer delivered to your property or by a text / whatsapp message up to 3 to 4 days before the collection happens in your estate.

E-Waste System Boards from Computers
Waste – Damaged and Broken Equipment

What’s accepted

Recycle IT accept old, damaged or unused electrical, electronic or pure metal items and all can be collected at the same time using our pre booked residents collection events or via personal recycling collections. Bikes, cookers, ovens, computers, phones, cables, exercise equipment, tools etc. Click here for full PDF lists

Just ask you local residents group to contact us and we can arrange a free collection from the homes in your estate or area. These collections are operated in association with WEEE Ireland.

Some guidelines

When putting items out for collection remember:

  • Keep the old items tidy, inside you garden, or on the kerb so the footpath or roadway is kept clear
  • If you think an unofficial collection are taking place, call us and we will arrange a collection from your door
  • Move items to the ground floor to allow for speedy collection
  • Let us know if items cannot be easily and safely lifted by two people.
  • Notify us advance if you have a request.
  • Do not leave sharp or dangerous objects with your electrical or pure metal items
  • Items should be secured if severe weather is expected
Old Metal Gates

What next?

Recycle IT are asking resident groups or tidy town groups to contact us in New Year. Give us a call on 01 4578321 to help declutter homes safely and reduce environment harm simply by recycling in an authorised way.

In the Interest of health safely and wellbeing please note – All items need to be accessible, disconnected and ready for collection. We will be following social distancing guidelines. We are happy to collect the item/s from a drive or garden / outside area / accessible & clear external location. Please remain mindful of social distancing and hand hygiene guidelines when recycling.

About Recycle IT 

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

To find out about other items which might be suitable for reuse, repurposing or recycling please click here.

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

Growing a tree in a pot