Initiatives and Case Studies
WEEE Ireland partnership with Recycle IT
WEEE Ireland has an ongoing partnership with Recycle IT, an award-winning not-for-profit social enterprise which creates sustainable local employment through community based professional waste management services. Recycle IT is helping WEEE Ireland to close the gap towards the 65% collection target.
WEEE Ireland Initiative / Social Enterprise / WEEE Ireland & Partners / Other Large Equipment / Other Small Equipment / Screens & Monitors / Recover / Recycle
Key Findings
- Recycle IT was established to create employment and prevent environmental damage caused by the illegal dumping of EEE.
- In 2022, Recycle IT were awarded the Dublin City Council Social Enterprise Award.
- In 2023, Recycle IT organised 1800 collections, reaching 64,800 households across the Greater Dublin Area.
- Recycle IT collected over 670 tonnes of electrical equipment in 2023 directly from households and organisations on behalf of WEEE Ireland. Their total number of Kgs recycled for 2023 was 740,505 Kgs.
- In 2023, Recycle IT collected 87,300 items of large & small household WEEE for recycling from households.
Recycle IT Statistics
| Screens Recycled | 13,474 |
| Computers Recycled | 13,800 |
| Weight Managed | 740,505 Kgs |
Summary
Recycle IT is a unique Community Electronic Recycling Social Enterprise providing a neighbourhood and community kerbside and business collection service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment in South Dublin and surrounding areas.
Recycle IT was established in 2002 with support from South Dublin County Council (SDCC) and Clondalkin Partnership as well as WEEE Ireland, to offer employment and reduce environmental harm created by the illegal dumping of old household appliances. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, Recycle IT has supported the WEEE sector through the collection of electronic waste from householders and organisations who may otherwise find it difficult to recycle. Recycle IT is also a member of CRNI (Community Resources Network Ireland).
Recycle IT promote their collections through emails, flyers, events, to local Councillors, community networks and on social media and blog posts. Once a collection is scheduled the Recycle IT team works with each resident committee to offer guidance and promotional materials to arrange their collection day. Collaboration like this before the event helps to build trust and delivers higher rates of recycling.
Collection services are offered by Recycle IT across Dublin, collecting a range of WEEE including kettles, TVs, dishwashers, and computers. Income generated by collection and breakdown of e-waste is reinvested in training and employment and environmental awareness. Their collection teams are experienced and happy to support people requiring additional assistance with lifting or moving electronic items. Recycle IT aim to remain an environmental hub for sustainable employment, and to continue engaging in recycling for reuse.