In a joint position paper, recyclers – including the Confederation of European Paper Industries, European Man-made Fibres Association, Eurometaux, Eropean Plastics Recyclers, Eurofer and European Plastics Converters Association – have put forth a number of policy proposals which they say are needed to ‘optimise’ recycling industries’ contribution to a resource efficient Europe.

These include: better enforcement of the Waste Shipment Regulation with a view to curbing illegal exports of waste; a call for separate collection at source of paper, metal, plastics and glass by 2015 and a call for the European Commission to propose a ban on landfilling of recyclable waste.

According to the group, Europe has come a long way to improve recycling rates and reduce landfilling of waste. But, they say that more can be achieved. The group says that recycling industries currently face a number of challenges including:
- Insufficient and contradictory policy support for closing the loops
- Subsidies for the use of recyclable and renewable material for energy recovery
- Insufficient recyclability requirements for converted products
- Suboptimal end-of-life collection schemes
- Shortage of secondary raw material due to exports to non-European countries partly due to illegal shipments of waste
- Lack of level playing field worldwide
- Technological hurdles to recycle increasingly complex products
- Landfilling of recyclable waste
- Inconsistencies in legislation in the field of waste, products and materials

It adds that the challenges for different recycling sectors are multiple, but says that the ‘massive exports of secondary raw materials outside the EU is a threat to everyone. The paper notes: “Secondary raw materials exported outside the EU represent not only a loss of the material (often poor efficiency of the recovery process with regard to the intended raw material) but also a loss of the embedded energy: producing new products based on virgin/primary materials only is, in general, more energy consuming hence impacting negatively on the EU’s climate and energy goals.”
The recyclers claim that exports are facilitated by strong demand for resources from emerging markets; relatively cheap east bound shipping costs; substandard environmental management of recycling processes outside of Europe; insufficient control of borders and lack of quality of the collected materials.

To increase recycling rates in Europe, the group recommends the following full list of policy changes: “To optimise recycling in Europe from our current levels, targeted policies are needed”
- Call for a sound implementation and enforcement of existing legislation.
- Call for better enforcement of the Waste Shipment Regulation with a view to curbing illegal shipments of waste. The work of Impel and customs authorities should be supported, e.g. through a distinction of second-hand goods and new goods.
- Call for separate collection at source of paper, metal, plastics and glass by 2015 for all Applications.
- Call on the European Commission to propose a ban on landfilling of recyclable waste.
- Call on the European Commission to include recyclability criteria for the product groups covered by the eco-design directive today and product groups that might be covered in the future.
- Call for actions to ensure that pre-processing and recycling takes place in efficient facilities rather than in sub-standard facilities to achieve material quality.
- Call on the European Commission to stimulate producer responsibility and explore new concepts or tools in full cooperation with the stakeholders concerned so as to avoid a shift in impact and ensure that the instrument delivers.
- Call on the European Commission to investigate the substantial subsidies given by some third countries, such as China, to secondary raw materials using companies with respect to their compatibility with WTO rules and take appropriate measures.
- Remind that requirements such as recycled content should be considered cautiously as a general tool, as they may lead to inefficiencies in the supply chains. However, they can be an effective tool in specific sectors.
- Call for a recycling strategy aiming at recycling secondary raw materials with the highest material quality and efficiency and close to the source when appropriate.
- Call for effective recognition of the benefits of recycling in other policies than waste policy, such as the energy policy.
- Call for adjustment of policies and legislation to avoid inconsistencies hindering recycling.

The paper concludes: “Recycling is a key driver for resource efficiency. To optimise recycling in Europe from our current levels, targeted policies are needed. The proposals listed above would enable the European industries using secondary raw materials to recycle even more, thereby supporting the full value chains, closing the recycling loops and contributing to the EU 2020 targets and the objective of a resource efficient Europe.”

Irish charity Camara Education will offer free computer reuse to people looking to dispose of unwanted computers for the month of January.

Camara Education, a social enterprise and charity, specialises in the re-use of computers to educate children in disadvantaged schools in sub-Saharan Africa, Jamaica and Ireland. Camara Education refurbishes computers sourced from Irish businesses, government departments and individuals, loads them with educational software and distributes them to disadvantaged schools. This enables thousands of marginalised communities’ an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty they find themselves in.

To date Camara has dispatched over 27,000 computers in this way, improving education for over half a million disadvantaged children and giving them the opportunity to acquire the digital literacy skills needed for the 21st century.

This year alone the charity has processed and shipped over 9,000 computers as the demand for affordable technology increases year on year. Currently Camara’s partner Hub in Kenya has 200 under-resourced schools on a waiting list to receive Camara computers and training. A similar situation is seen by Camara’s partner Hubs in Zambia, Ethiopia, Lesotho and Jamaica.

Due to this ever growing demand, Camara is offering a free computer reuse option for the Irish public in January. The case for reuse before eventual recycling is very compelling. With up to 200,000 computers thrown out each year in Ireland, many of these could be reused by disadvantaged communities both at home in Ireland and abroad.

With Camara, each reused computer has a positive educational impact for at least 10 disadvantaged children each year. Each computer also defers the release of 650kg of CO2 emissions.

To reuse your old computer for the purpose of education, Camara’s drop-off location is in Chapelizod Industrial Estate, Dublin 20 open Monday to Friday and late Thursday evening from January 3rd.

Camara also has drop off centres in Townsend Enterprise Park, Townsend Street, Belfast and on Distillery Road, as part of the National University of Ireland in Galway. For further information, please call 01 685 7121.

Camara Education, an award-winning charity and social enterprise, is providing the ideal gift this Christmas to show friends and family how much you care in a unique and meaningful way – by sending the gift of a computer to an African school on their behalf for only €15.

Camara Education is an Irish NGO that works to alleviate poverty in sub-Saharan Africa by using technology to enhance the quality of education in disadvantaged schools. Its vision is that of a world where even the poorest have access to quality education.

Education is the key to solving Africa’s problems. Harnessing the power of technology in education can fast track change and make a real difference in people’s lives. Since 2005, Camara has
sent over 27,000th computers to more than 1000 schools in Africa where they are set up in ‘Learning Centers’ where teachers and children receive the gift of education.

Camara’s Learning Shop campaign provides the ideal gift this Christmas by sending a computer to Africa for only €15 in the name of family and friends – a perfect way to show how much you
care. Your loved ones will be given a unique tracking number that allows them to follow the progress of their computer to a school in Africa.

Each computer that is sent will in turn benefit 10 children, helping them to break the cycle of poverty and build a better future for themselves.

Shane Stafford from Lucan, Co. Dublin, who sponsored a computer for Africa during last year’s campaign in the name of his father in-law stated ‘Education is a gift we should all have
access to and technology is a key enabler of that now. I believe it is a great way of helping young people to develop in order to lead themselves and others to a brighter future. The gift of education
and information is a gift that lasts a lifetime’. On his father in-law, he commented ‘He was chuffed that he, a man who can’t use a computer, was actually helping to bring technology to Africa!’
So log onto www.camara.ie/shop today and give the gift of education this Christmas

The donation from the Hertz Europe Service Centre of 1000 computers to Camara Education for ethical reuse has the potential to transform the lives of 19,000 children in East Africa. The computers from the Rent a Car company will provide them with a better education through technology and the opportunity to break the poverty cycle in which they find themselves.
Camara Education, a social enterprise and charity, specialises in the re-use of computers to educate children in disadvantaged schools in East Africa, Jamaica and Ireland.
Camara Education refurbishes computers, loads them with educational software and distributes them to disadvantaged schools. Key to Camara Education’s mission is training teachers on using computers as an educational resource. To date Camara has reused over 27,000 computers in this way, benefiting over 500,000 children who have received a better education as a result.
Hertz’s donation will provide 19,000 disadvantaged school-children with an enhanced quality of education through technology. Without these computers the children would have been denied this educational opportunity and the computers would been decommissioned or destroyed through recycling.
John Fitzsimons, CEO, Camara Education stated “Camara Education is delighted that Hertz has chosen the more ethical disposal option of reuse of their computers prior to recycling.”
Paul Bermingham, Senior Staff Vice President IT International said “Rather than recycle PCs as we normally would, working with Camara Education has been a great opportunity for us to help schools in Africa in their education.”

The Community Reuse Network recently responded to the call for comments on the  National Waste Policy Discussion Document which looks to refine the existing Irish waste framework. The revised policy will foster new thinking and legislation that has emerged at a European level. A second consultation period will open early next year. The document submitted by the CRN can be downloaded below.

National Waste Policy Submission

The 2nd Annual Community Reuse Conference took place in Ballymun Civic Centre on Thursday 10th November. Opened by the Lord mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague, the conference featured international speakers Penny Morriss from Forth Sector Development and Michal Len from RREUSE as well as Mark Finnegan from IKEA, Keiron Phillips from the EPA and Andy Wilson from The Rediscovery Centre. Delegates included academics, professionals and public sector representatives. Presentations from the day are available to download below.

Michal Len RREUSE Presentation

Penny Morriss Forth Sector Development Presentation

Andy Wilson CRN presentation

Keiron Phillips EPA Presentation

Mark Finnegan Ikea Presentation 

 

 

The second annual CRN conference will be held in Ballymun Civic Centre on November 10th. The theme of the conference will be measuring and quantifying the benefits of the reuse sector. The keynote speaker will be Penny Morriss from Forth Sector Development who will present on Understanding, Measuring and Reporting Social Impact. Michal Lan from RREUSE will also be there to speak about whats happening in the European reuse market. For further details or to register your interest in attending please email communityreusenetwork@gmail.com.

09.15: Registration

10.00: Welcome from Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague

10.15: The Benefits of Partnership Working, Mark Finnegan, IKEA

11.00: Tea and coffee

11.30: Understanding, Measuring and Reporting Social Impacts, Penny Morriss, Forth Sector Development

12.00: Reuse – A European Perspective, Michal Len, RREUSE

12.30: Lunch

13.30: CRN – Past, Present and Future, CRN Ireland

14.00: Question and Answer session

 

 Sunflower Recycling – Busybees Furniture

Sunflower Recycling is one of the longest established community recycling projects in Ireland. It is located in the North inner city of Dublin. Busybees Furniture was set up by Sunflower to recycle, repair and resell pre-owned furniture. The furniture is restored, recovered, re-upholstered or cleaned ready for resale from their centre in Crumlin or their retail outlet on Bridgefoot Street.  The staff are primarily funded through the FAS Community Employment scheme. The project provides training and employment opportunities for people at risk of social exclusion.

www.sunflowerrecycling.ie

 

Revamp 3 R Store – Longford

Revamp is an initiative of the Longford Employment, Development and Information Centre and reuses unwanted high quality low cost household furniture which it sells to people in Co Longford and surrounding areas. The project focuses on providing training and work experience for people at risk of social exclusion. The project receives funding from the Rural Social Scheme and the Community Services Programme.

www.revamp3rstore.com

 

The Rediscovery Centre Ballymun

 This is a multifaceted project based in the regeneration area of Ballymun in Dublin. It was developed in response to the growing national and international concern in relation to the management of natural resources and waste. The centre demonstrates an integrated solution including all elements of waste management at a central facilit. Projects run by the Rediscovery Centre include furniture reuse, community composting, paint reuse and a fashion project based on reused clothing.

www.rediscoverycentre.ie

Rehab Recycle

 Rehab Recycle is part of the Rehab group and its combined glass, can, paper and waste electrical recycling facilities account for in excess of 90,000 tonnes of material each year. The company operates over 1,800 bring sites (both public and private) and reprocesses the majority of consumer waste glass in Ireland. The Rehab Group is a not for profit organisation which provides training, employment, health and social care and commercial services for 56,000 people each year.

www.rehabrecycle.ie

Liberties Recycling

 Liberties Recycling, Training and Development is a textile recycling project that aims to provide people affected by drug use with the stability, work experience, skills and confidence needed to move into mainstream employment and/or further training all within a supportive work environment. It employs nearly 60 people on a FAS sponsored Community Employment Recycling Project.

www.libertiesrecycling.com

Clondalkin Community Recycling Initiative

 This is a community recycling business which specialises in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). It aims to recycle anything with a plug in its catchment area. The project was established to address the problem of illegal dumping in Clondalkin and to create employment opportunities for local long term unemployed people. It is supported by Pobal, WEEE Ireland, SDCC and Clondalkin Partnership.

www.recycleit.ie

 

Bryson Recycling

 Launched in 1993, Bryson Recycling provides a recycling service for homes, businesses and schools in Northern Ireland. It provides a kerbside box to over 200,000 households. It also operates a MRF(Materials Recovery Facility) which is used to sort materials collected mixed in wheeled bins. Bryson Recycling is owned by the Bryson Charitable Group, a major Northern Ireland Charity.

www.brysonrecycling.co.uk

 

SMILE Resource Exchange

SMILE Resource Exchange is a free service for businesses that encourages the exchanging of resources between its members in order to save money, reduce waste going to landfill and to develop new business opportunities. Potential exchanges are identified through networking events, an online exchange facility and a support team to assist throughout. 

www.smileexchange.ie

FreeTrade Ireland

FreeTrade Ireland is an online service – the development of which has beenfunded and supported by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government – the service provides an online platform for householders and businesses to pick up and pass on quality items for free. Users of the website can advertise unused and/or unwanted items on the website as well as searching for items of interest. FreeTrade Ireland is a prevention mechanism whereby items are passed on to be reused before they enter the waste stream thus extending their life span.

www.freetradeireland.ie

Minster for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, T.D. was “all smiles” as he joined representatives from SMILE Resource Exchange to announce the initiative’s expansion into Limerick, Clare and Kerry. SMILE (Saving Money through Industry Links and Exchanges) Resource Exchange is an initiative developed to help create mutually beneficial partnerships between businesses.

Established in 2010, and piloted in Cork, SMILE Resource Exchange encourages the idea that “one person’s waste is another’s resource” and works with businesses and organisations to foster partnerships that allow them to exchange re-usable resources, and in doing so, save money, reduce waste going to landfill and to develop new business opportunities.

SMILE Resource Exchange is project managed by Macroom E and is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Cork County and City Enterprise Boards; Cork County & City Councils; and now Limerick/Clare/Kerry Regional Waste Management Office; Limerick County and City Enterprise Boards; Kerry County Enterprise Board; and Clare County Enterprise Board.

Speaking about the initiative and upcoming events, project manager, Michelle said: “Based on the principle of building relationships through networking, we are progressing on from our very successful pilot programme in Cork. Potential exchanges are identified through networking events, an online exchange facility and a support team to assist. SMILE Resource Exchange is a free initiative that proactively supports businesses, and joins enterprise and environment together in a unique and innovative way; and we look forward to hosting a number events and welcoming new members in our new regions this October and November.”

A series of free events take place this autumn in Limerick, Clare and Kerry; and at these exchange events, as well as through the website, businesses can identify resources they would like to exchange such as reusable items, by-products and surplus products. All resources offered are either free of charge or below market value. SMILE will host an event on October 26th in The Brehon, Killarney; while a joint Limerick/Clare event will take place on November 23rd in The Radisson Blu Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick.

Further information on SMILE Resource Exchange and upcoming events can be found at www.smileexchange.ie or by calling (026)20520.

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has taken a firm stance against protectionism in the vote on the ammended WEEE directive. A vote was held on October 4th on ammendments of the draft version of the second reading of the WEEE Recast within the ENVI Committee of the EU Parliament.

The parliament has come out with a very positive message of intent especially regarding preparation for reuse. In particular there is:

- A separate 5 % preparation for reuse target (Art.11 para 1). This does not include lamps and gas discharge lamps.

- The achievement of the targets shall be calculated as the percentage by weight of separately collected WEEE that is sent to recovery facilities and effectively recovered, reused or recycled (Art 11. para. 2)

- In order to maximise re-use of whole appliances, Member states shall also ensure that, prior to any further shipment, collection schemes provide for the separation at the collection points of WEEE that is to be prepared for re-use from other separately collected WEEE (Art 6. Para. 2)
- Standards for the collection, storage, transport, treatment, recycling and repair of WEEE as well as its preparation for reuse are to be developed and adopted by the European Standardisation organisations not later than 6 months after entry into force of the Directive. (Art 8 Para 5 Subpara 3)

- In order to facilitate preparation for reuse and the correct and environmentally sound treatment of WEEE, including maintenance, upgrade, refurbishment and recycling, Member States shall take the necessary measures to provide free of charge information about preparation for reuse and treatment in respect of each type of new EEE placed on the market within one year after the equipment is placed on the market (Art 15. para 1)

The new WEEE legislation will mean greater emphasis is placed on the reuse of goods and stricter protocols on how this can be achieved.