Tag: sustainability

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

Enjoy Summer -Garden safely and recycle!

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

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

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.

Remember, recycling garden tools benefits the environment. Recycling 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 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 electrical, electronic, and battery-operated equipment 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 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 Partners

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

Free Home Appliances Recycling

On By JMCEIn Awards, Collections, Dublin, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, Electronic Equipment, Social Enterprise, We Recycle ITLeave a comment

Disposing of Old Electrical Appliances

Recycling home appliances helps protect the environment, saves energy, reduces waste, and conserves valuable materials. It’s a smart, eco-friendly choice for everyone. Recent statistics show consumers recycled a record-breaking 41,730 tonnes of electronic and electrical waste in 2023 – the equivalent of almost 200 forty-foot containers more than the previous year, new figures reveal.

Over 15 million small appliances such as coffee makers, calculators, kettles and keyboards, along with the equivalent of 66 million used AA batteries were also handed back for safe recycling to make their way into the circular economy.

Members of the public may dispose of all their old household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)  free of charge at Recycle IT in Clondalkin, Co Dublin.

WEEE Ireland – 20 Years of Recycling

Recycle IT are happy to say we have worked in partnership with WEEE Ireland for 20 year to help recycle appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, hobs, televisions, computers, laptops, tablets, cables, toasters, kettles, heaters, clocks, lights, lamps and lots more! You will find helpful lists here.

How it Works

WEEE Ireland supports Recycle IT  in the collection and recycling of old damaged or unused electrical items. This service is part-financed by the payment of tariffs from the producers who originally put the WEEE into the marketplace. Recycling opportunities are available free to resident groups through a door to door collection services. Up to 500 homes per day are offered an electrical recycling collection with help provided with lifting and moving items. The service is age-friendly and our teams are helpful so don’t be shy!

Recycle ITWhat does Electrical / WEEE Recycling Mean?

The WEEE Regulations were introduced to promote the environmentally responsible disposal, recovery, and recycling of consumer electrical goods and appliances in Ireland.  The Regulations apply to all kinds of Electrical & Electronic Equipment but contain limited exemptions for certain types of devices, such as some medical or military items.

These regulations require the Producers (manufacturers and importers) and Retailers of Electrical & Electronic Equipment to ensure systems are in place to fund and encourage the return, collection, and recycling of WEEE items from the general public. Recycle IT supports this recycling activity and is licensed to do so.

Retailer / Consumers Recycling

Retailers of Electrical & Electronic Equipment, including internet sellers, are now required by law to provide for take-back of WEEE articles from customers free of charge, subject to the conditions below:

Free retailer take-back only applies when a new item has been purchased and on a one-for-one basis.

Collected Electrical Appliances

Any item for return must be of a similar type as the new item being bought; e.g. a retailer is not obliged to accept a television if a customer has only bought a toaster.

With any household items that require delivery, retailers must collect the old appliance free of charge, and give at least 24 hours’ notice of delivery. Items such as fridges must be properly de-frosted and disconnected by the customer before collection. Depending on the retailer there may be a delivery charge.

All retailers selling Electrical & Electronic Equipment to the general public are legally obliged to comply with various other requirements under the WEEE Regulations, including measures relating to the:

  • Display of statutory WEEE signage in-store, which must be displayed at each point of sale;
  • Provision of information explaining WEEE take-back procedures and deadlines to the public;
  • Provision of a suitable storage area for any returned WEEE items.
  • Further information on the WEEE Regulations is also available on the EPA website.

Civic Amenity Recycling 

In Dublin and surrounding areas all old, damaged and unwanted household electrical items, batteries and energy-saving light bulbs can be brought to your nearest civic amenity site for free recycling. A list of these locations in Dublin is available here

Recycle IT Recycling 

Electrical and electronics recycling services have been operated by Recycle IT since 2002. Our teams work with householders, charities, schools, colleges, businesses, government, non-government and community-based organizations in Dublin and the surrounding counties of Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT 2019 TV
Recycle IT / Recycle TV’s

Recycle IT offer Residents Association door-to-door collections, personal collections and business recycling collections. Recycling services are offered to homes and organisations to help ensure electronic, electrical and metal equipment is safely recycled. Equipment collected flows through an authorized and approved recycling supply chain which feeds the circular economy and ultimately reuse.

As a not-for-profit social enterprise, Recycle IT has benefited the WEEE sector since 2007 by collecting waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from householders and community organizations who can find it costly and therefore hard to recycle.

IMG_20160422_140933
Recycle IT Community Residents Collection

Examples of items that can be recycled for free include:

  • All types of batteries including farm fencing and automotive batteries
  • Torches, Power tools, and other Small Electrical Devices
  • Fridges, Freezers, Washing Machines, and Electric Ovens
  • PCs, Networking, TVs, Monitors, Cables, Chargers
  • Energy Saving Lamps and other Lighting Equipment
  • Along with any other household WEEE, you may have.

These types of items are accepted free by (Residents’ associations and organisations).

For full/downloadable lists of all items recycled please click here

To learn more call 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie 

If you miss your Recycle IT collection day remember that you can recycle your household electrical waste and waste batteries at our recycling centre free of charge. Click here for our location and directions. You can also arrange a cost-effective personal collection with Recycle IT. Just click 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 collection regulations. Our permit details are available here.

Recycle IT – Community Recycling Initiative of the Year 2023

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