Tag: sustainable-living

“Take a Minute, Before You Bin It”

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

About

“Take a Minute, Before You Bin It” is a thoughtful campaign launched by My Waste Ireland. Its message is simple but powerful: pause before you throw something away and consider if it could be recycled, reused, or composted. This campaign is part of Ireland’s ongoing effort to reduce waste and protect the environment. By encouraging everyone to think about their waste, the campaign hopes to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, conserve resources, and cut down on pollution. You can even play an online game to help! More below.

Reasons

One of the biggest reasons for this campaign is the serious waste problem facing Ireland and many other EU countries. Each year, tons of waste end up incinerated, in landfills, polluting soil and water. A lot of this waste could have been recycled or composted instead. When waste ends up in landfills, it doesn’t disappear; it often remains in the environment for years, even centuries. This is especially true for plastic waste, which doesn’t break down naturally and instead can turn into microplastics, harming animals and ecosystems.

The “Take a Minute, Before You Bin It” campaign encourages us to think carefully about each item before throwing it away. For example, can the item be recycled? Many everyday items like plastic bottles, paper, electrical equipment and cans can be recycled instead of going to the trash. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials, which helps conserve resources like water, energy, and minerals. It’s a simple habit that makes a big difference.

Composting is another excellent option for reducing waste, especially for organic items like food scraps and yard clippings. Instead of throwing these into the trash where they can produce methane (a harmful greenhouse gas) in landfills, composting turns them into nutrient-rich soil. This soil can be used to grow plants and vegetables, giving back to the environment and reducing pollution.

Reusing is also a key part of this campaign. Items like jars, bags, and even old clothing can often be used again instead of being thrown away. For example, a glass jar can be washed and used for storage, or an old shirt can become a cleaning rag. This helps reduce waste and is often cost-effective, as it reduces the need to buy new items.

Mindfulness

This campaign also focuses on creating a habit of mindfulness about waste. Many of us throw things away without thinking, but the “Take a Minute” approach helps us slow down and make thoughtful decisions. Over time, these small decisions can have a huge positive impact on the environment. When we think about our waste, we’re more likely to make better choices and take responsibility for reducing the waste we produce.

Communities and schools are a big part of the “Take a Minute, Before You Bin It” message. Teaching kids to be mindful about waste from a young age helps create a new generation that understands and cares about the environment. By having clear recycling bins, compost areas, and reusing stations in schools, children can learn these habits early and carry them into adulthood.

In Summary

“Take a Minute, Before You Bin It” is a simple, impactful campaign that encourages us to make better choices about our waste. By recycling, reusing, and composting, we can reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, conserve resources, and protect the planet. This one small action—taking a minute to think—has the power to create a cleaner, healthier future for everyone in Ireland and beyond.

Play the “Take a Minute, Before You Bin It” game here – Have some fun at home!

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 Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT – Community Recycling Initiative of the Year 2023

Create an Eco-Friendly Workplace – 18 Tips

On By JMCEIn Electronic and Electrical RecyclingLeave a comment

 An Environmentally Friendly Workplace 

It doesn’t matter if you are a large or small organisation, a community group, farmer or charity, reduction of waste and reuse of materials are the first steps in demonstrating you are environmentally aware, keen to help reduce waste and contribute positively towards climate change. Enthusiasm is the key and possibly the first step in implementing a simple, workable and worthwhile environmental guidelines or policy to suit your needs.

Eco Friendly Workplace

Eco-Friendly Behavior

Recycling is an easy and effective way to encourage eco-friendly behavior while allowing you contribute towards a positive impact on climate across the world or  “Your Global Market Place” We can all do our part for our earth every day by simply recycling bottles, metal, paper, electronics and other waste products.

Although recycling is important, it’s only one part of the three R’s. Recycling is sometimes considered the easier choice as its similar to throwing something away. It’s not much different to putting the item in a different bin or making a call to arrange a collection of an old PC or printer. However, there are many opportunities in a day for reducing or reusing what you think are waste materials.

Circular Economy Model.

Eco-friendly behavior in the workplace is vital for a circular economy. By reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling, employees and companies help protect the environment and save resources. Simple actions like reducing paper use, conserving energy, and recycling office supplies support sustainability. This approach lowers costs, reduces pollution, and creates a positive impact for future generations

18 Workplace Tips 

  1. Ask employees to make double-sided copies when using a copier.
  2. Find a way to compost paper towel waste used across your organisation.
  3. Source a brown bin for all kitchen waste from the kitchen, canteen, dining rooms, cafe, or coffee dock.
  4. Eliminated food trays to help reduce food waste.
  5. Install microwaves so people can reuse food cooked at home.
  6. Share unused food from staff canteens or the cafe with you local FoodCloud Community Foodlink.
  7. Replace all bottled water with inline water filters to allow refilling.
  8. Reuse and recycle surplus furniture by partnering with charity shops and reuse centres.
  9. Pre-sort solid waste generated in your organisation e.g. cans, glass, paper, cardboard, plastic bags, batteries, smart phone batteries, smartphones, and fluorescent lights etc.
  10. Collect and recycle vehicle waste including lubricants, antifreeze, oil filters, tires, and batteries.
  11. Recycle electronics equipment from your charity, school or community group free by simply emailing info@recycleit.ie
  12. Personal electronics waste can be recycled through a free WEEE to Work collection day.
  13. Collect kitchen grease and oils for recycling and reuse e.g. Keen Oils.
  14. Ask employees to make double-sided copies when printing reports or presentation or just don’t print reports or presentations, use power-point.
  15. Send emails or use electronic document sharing tools rather than printing.
  16. Reuse cardboard delivery boxes in which reports, flyers, paper etc. arrive in.
  17. Buy reusable or recycled products before considering other purchases.
  18. Research and consider installing solar or similar to improve your carbon footprint,

Moving Forward

Recycle IT engage with many schools, communities, charities and business organisations across Dublin to recycle electronic, electronic and pure metal equipment. From our experience, a Zero Waste Policy which supports the circular economy a great starting point for your eco journey.

Circular Raw Materials for Reuse

It may take some time but at least you have made a start!  Get going by creating a team from different departments. Include staff and management, volunteers or students in developing a simple workable plan for reducing and diverting 100% of your waste stream over a defined time period and remember it should not cost the earth!

You might start with the purchase of product and services for operational use. Before purchasing new products all stakeholders should try to consider an item’s true cost, how quickly the product will need to be replaced and whether it can be reused, re-purposed and recycled. Cheaper products may seem attractive but are not always the best environmental, financial or lasting solution.

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 Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Recycle IT – Community Recycling Initiative of the Year 2023

Please do request more information from Recycle IT about our recycling service on 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie

More Toys! Reuse or Recycle this Christmas🎅

On By JMCEIn Climate change, Electronic and Electrical Recycling, News, We Recycle ITLeave a comment

Imagination and Creativity

Toys are a traditional gift for children at Christmas and bring a good deal of joy over the following months. Toys also play an important role in childhood, sparking imagination, and fostering creativity. However, as our kids grow, toys often accumulate, gathering dust in forgotten corners or succumbing to wear and tear. But what if I told you that recycling these old, damaged, or unused electronic toys could make a significant impact on our environment?

Fun Family Game

The toy industry in Ireland, like in many other countries, has seen an increasing trend in the popularity of electronic and battery-operated toys. With advancements in technology and the growing interest in interactive and tech-based toys, the sales of electronic toys have been on the rise.

The graphic below demonstrates that in 2019, the annual amount spent on toys per child in the EU was estimated to be $212. The total EU toy market size was estimated to be $24.6 billion. From 2022 to 2025, this value is expected to have a compound annual growth of 15.59%, projecting a volume of $96,537M by 2025. Source: EuroDev BV.

Disposal

With the rise in electronic and battery-operated toys, the issue of electronic waste has become more pressing. Electronics contain various materials that can harm the environment if disposed of improperly. When these toys end up in landfills, they contribute to electronic waste, also known as e-waste. This waste contains hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, posing significant risks to both human health and the environment if not handled correctly.

Tablet

Recycling old, damaged, or unused electronic toys presents a solution to this growing problem. By recycling these toys, we divert electronic waste from landfills, preventing harmful substances from leaching into the soil and water sources. Moreover, recycling helps conserve resources by recovering valuable materials like metals, plastics, and other components that can be reused in manufacturing new products.

Now, let’s consider the adverse effects of tossing toys into the regular black or green rubbish bins. When these toys end up in landfills, they contribute to the growing electronic waste problem. Electronics typically take a long time to decompose, and as they break down, they release harmful chemicals into the environment. These chemicals can contaminate soil, waterways, and even the air we breathe, impacting ecosystems and potentially harming wildlife.

Furthermore, the valuable resources used in manufacturing these toys go to waste when they are discarded. This not only adds to the depletion of natural resources but also increases the energy and raw materials needed for producing new toys from scratch.

Children’s Computers

Eco-friendly

Toy recycling isn’t just an eco-friendly choice; it’s also an opportunity to teach children about sustainability and responsible waste management. Encouraging them to participate in recycling their old toys instills valuable lessons about reducing waste and preserving the planet for future generations.

Here are some fascinating facts about toy recycling:

  1. Resource Conservation: Recycling one ton of electronic devices can recover as much gold as mining almost 20 tons of gold ore.
  2. Material Recovery: Toys contain various materials such as plastics, metals, and electronic components, all of which can be repurposed through recycling. For instance, plastic toys can be shredded and melted down to create new products, reducing the need for raw materials.
  3. Environmental Impact: Improper disposal of electronic toys can lead to toxic substances seeping into the soil and water, posing severe health risks to communities living nearby.

Please consider, recycling old, damaged, or unused electrical, electronic, and battery-operated toys as its holds immense benefits for our planet. It minimizes e-waste, conserves valuable resources, and helps in creating a cleaner, healthier environment for all. By embracing toy recycling as a habit, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future and teach our children the importance of caring for the Earth while they play and grow.

Games Controllers

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning social enterprise providing recycling collection and drop-off services for all types of waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal items.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development, Dormant Accounts Fund, Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster.

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

Electronic Toys