Tag: lifestyle

Recycle IT – People and Planet First Verified

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

People and Planet First Verified Matters

We’re proud to share that Recycle IT has been awarded the People and Planet First Verified status through Good Market – a platform that supports businesses creating positive change in the world. This recognition means a lot to us, and we want to explain why it matters and how it helps us continue our mission.

What is Good Market?

Good Market is more than just a marketplace. It’s a global platform that brings together businesses and organizations working for a better world. These are companies that don’t just focus on making profits, but also care deeply about people and the planet. From small farms and eco-brands to social enterprises and non-profits, Good Market connects these changemakers to customers, partners, and supporters.

They carefully review each organization before listing them. Only those that meet their high standards for social and environmental impact are approved and verified.

What is “People and Planet First Verified”?

The People and Planet First badge is a special recognition given to social enterprises that put the needs of people and the environment at the center of their work. It shows that a business is not just talking about doing good – they are actually doing it in their daily operations.

To receive this badge, businesses must:

  • Prove that they are making a real positive impact.
  • Show that they care for workers, communities, and nature.
  • Be transparent, open, and accountable.
  • Use profits to grow their mission, not just enrich owners or shareholders.

This badge is also recognized by the UN Taskforce on the Social and Solidarity Economy, making it a meaningful global standard.

Why This Matters to Recycle IT

At Recycle IT, our goal has always been simple: to reduce waste, protect the environment, and create opportunities for people in our community. We collect and recycle e-waste and other materials in a way that is safe, responsible, and helps build a cleaner world.

Getting this badge means:

  • Our efforts are being seen and validated by a trusted global community.
  • We are part of a movement that values fairness, sustainability, and care.
  • We can connect with like-minded partners, customers, and supporters around the world.

This recognition pushes us to keep improving, to do even more, and to be proud of our role in the new economy – one that is not based on exploitation, but on regeneration and inclusion.

Good for People. Good for the Planet.

The Benefits of Being Verified

Becoming People and Planet First Verified brings many benefits, especially for a mission-driven organization like ours:

  1. Trust and Credibility
    The badge shows that we meet high standards. Customers, funders, and partners can trust that we are serious about our impact. It helps us stand out in a crowded market.
  2. Global Visibility
    Good Market gives us a profile on its platform, where people from all over the world can find and support our work. This increases our reach and opens doors to new opportunities.
  3. Networking and Collaboration
    Being part of the Good Market community means we can connect with other verified enterprises, share knowledge, and work together on common goals.
  4. Continuous Support
    Good Market doesn’t just list our name – it helps us grow. They offer updates, tools, and learning resources to help us improve and stay aligned with our mission.
  5. Being a Part of Something Bigger
    We’re now part of a global movement that believes business can be a force for good. This is inspiring and motivating, and it helps us stay committed even when challenges come.

What’s Next for Recycle IT

This recognition is not the end – it’s just the beginning. We will keep working hard to serve our community, care for the planet, and offer fair, meaningful work to those who need it most. We’re looking at new ways to improve our recycling process, reduce pollution, and educate people about waste and sustainability.

A Big Thank You

We thank Good Market for this honor. And most of all, we thank our team, partners, and supporters. You are the reason we can keep doing what we do. Together, we are building a future that works for everyone. It also important to note this award was made available through a project offered by Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) and supported by the Irish Government.

Social Enterprise Republic of 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.

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 at Work

38 Winter Reuse and Recyclng Tips ☃️❄️

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

Pre Festive / Winter Reuse and Recycling Tips

Here are 38 Tips for reusing, reducing waste, and safely recycling in winter, both at work and at home. These ideas can help you minimize waste, make the most of what you have, and keep the environment clean during the colder months while also saving you some money, a scare resource all year round.

Some recycling and reuse tips can be used immediately and others before, during and after Christmas 2024.   For some people recycling items might work better than reuse so you make the call! Have a look at the charity shop infographic below.

Charity Shop – Guide to Recycling

38 Winter Tips

1. Repurpose Gift Wrap and Packaging Materials. Save gift wrap, bows, boxes, bags and packing materials to reuse for future gifts or shipping needs.

2. Use Leftover Wrapping Paper for Crafts. Shred or cut leftover paper into strips for holiday crafts, confetti, or cushion material for packaging boxes or envelopes.

3. Upcycle Old Sweaters. Transform old sweaters into mittens, scarves, or cozy throw pillows instead of discarding them.

4. Create Homemade Fire Starters. Use cardboard tubes, dryer lint, and melted candle stubs to make fire starters for winter bonfires or fireplaces.

5. Repurpose Glass Jars and Bottles. Use empty glass jars for storing small items, organizing craft supplies, or creating winter candle holders.

Bottles and Jars

6. Recycle Christmas Trees Properly. Check for local tree recycling programs or compost your tree if possible.

7. Make Eco-Friendly De-Icers. Use sand or kitty litter instead of salt to prevent icy walkways while reducing environmental impact.

8. Compost Holiday Food Scraps. Compost vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and other compostable scraps from holiday meals.

9. Use Reusable Shopping Bags and Containers. Avoid single-use bags by using cloth bags and containers for holiday shopping and gift giving.

10. Reuse Shipping Boxes. Keep sturdy boxes from holiday packages for future storage or shipping needs.

11. Repurpose Old Christmas Cards. Turn last year’s festive cards into gift tags, bookmarks, or festive decorations.

Cards for Reuse

12. Donate or Sell Old Winter Clothing. Give coats, scarves, and winter accessories you no longer use to local shelters or thrift stores.

13. Repair or Resole Winter Boots. Extend the life of winter footwear by repairing rather than discarding them.

14. Store Seasonal Decorations Responsibly. Reuse bins, containers, and bags you already own to safely store holiday decorations for next year.

15. Use LED Holiday Lights. Switch to LED lights for holiday decorating; they use less energy and last longer.

16. Use Timers for Holiday Lights. Set timers to minimize energy use and prolong the life of your holiday lights.

17. Upcycle Tin Cans. Decorate clean tin cans as rustic candle holders or plant pots.

18. Make Natural Air Fresheners. Simmer orange peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to create a natural winter scent instead of using air fresheners.

19. Recycle Old Electronics Safely. Recycle or donate old electronics at certified e-waste recycling centres.

20. Use a Programmable Thermostat. Use a programmable thermostat to lower energy use by automatically adjusting heat based on when you’re home.

21. Insulate Windows with Reusable Kits. Simple to use, window Insulation Kits can help to reduce heat loss and save energy.

Insulated Window

22. Reuse Paper Bags as Gift Wrap. Decorate paper bags to use as gift wrap or for simple, rustic winter decor.

23. Make DIY Reusable Gift Wraps. Use fabric scraps, scarves, or tea towels as eco-friendly, reusable gift wrap alternatives.

24. Donate Extra Blankets. Donate old blankets to animal shelters or homeless shelters to keep others warm in winter.

25. Recycle Paper and Cardboard Properly. Flatten and recycle any cardboard or paper boxes that can’t be reused.

26. Use Egg Cartons for Crafting. Egg cartons can make great storage containers for holiday ornaments or crafting supplies.

27. Create a ‘Recycle Station’ at Work. Designate a convenient area for recycling paper, plastic, and other materials in your workplace.

28. Bring a Reusable Mug for Winter Drinks. Use a thermos or reusable cup for hot drinks instead of single-use coffee cups.

Reuse Cup

29. Make Homemade Ice Packs. Use old cloths or bags filled with frozen rice or beans to create reusable ice packs.

30. Repurpose Old Books. Use damaged or outdated books for DIY projects like wreaths, gift tags, or ornaments.

31. Switch to Refillable Pens. Encourage use of refillable pens and pencils to reduce plastic waste at work and home.

32. Recycle Batteries Responsibly. Collect and recycle dead batteries at designated recycling locations instead of tossing them in the trash.

33. Reuse Leftover Candle Wax. Melt down leftover wax to make new candles or use them as fire starters.

34. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products. Choose biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products for post-holiday clean-ups.

35. Reduce Unnecessary Heating. Layer up in cozy clothing rather than increasing the thermostat too often.

36. Make a Reusable Advent Calendar. Create a fabric or paper advent calendar that can be reused every winter.

37. Reuse Envelopes and Paper. Save envelopes and unused paper for notetaking or as scratch paper at work.

38. Plan Waste-Free Winter Meals. Plan meals to reduce food waste by using leftover ingredients in creative recipes.

EPA Reuse and Recycling Rates

Why Tips are Important

Reuse and recycling tips are important because they help reduce waste, save natural resources, and protect the environment. By reusing items and recycling properly, we lower the demand for new products, conserve energy, and minimize pollution. Small actions—like repurposing materials or recycling paper and plastic—make a big difference. These habits help create a cleaner planet and a more sustainable future for everyone.

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 2023 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over ten of thousands of homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of electricals which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.

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 Leinster.

Recycle IT