MGC has partnered with Rehab Recycle in Tallaght to divert IT equipment from the recycling stream. The data is wiped by IT services, then Rehab distributes the equipment to schools and community organisations. Rehab Recycle supports the employment of 28 people, 64% of whom are people with a disability. Mark Maguire, senior business manager, said 'it is impossible for me to overstate the importance of creating and sustaining employment for people with disabilities when you consider that people with disabilities in Ireland are only half as likely to be in employment when compared to non-disabled peers'.
Latest figures for January to June 2023
For reuse at the university: 120 PC, 80 monitors, 15 Laptops, 10 printers and 50 chargers, we reuse for computers rooms, loan laptops, CA's devices and exams.
For recycling:
- 480 computers
- 220 monitors
- 38 printers
- 320 keyboards and mouses
- 120 kg power cords
- 110 chargers
- 100 patch cords and 60 telephones
From July 2021 to November 2022
9,854 kg of electronic equipment diverted from landfills and either recycled or reused
Including the following:
- 86 TFT/LCD Monitors reused
- 40 Laptops reused
- 590 base units reused
- 169 base units were diverted from landfills and recycled.
- 218 TFT/LCD Monitors diverted from landfill and recycled
Data information updated on August 2023
Why not fill your water bottle at one of the water fountains around campus?
This quality drinking water is free and reduces plastic consumption when you use your refillable bottle - a win-win for you and our environment.
If there is an issue with a water fountain, please get in touch with [email protected] or log a call through the fast-track portal here
Full-size map here
Small Electrical Appliances
If academic departments or offices have 'end-of-life' small appliances to dispose of, please log a call through Campus Services' fast-track service requesting 'Transport' from the particular location to the Grounds Lower Yard, South Campus.
If the electrical items are still in good condition and are in perfect working order, please contact [email protected], as we will take stock, store them and keep them for future use.
Waste batteries come in several different types, such as:
- Lithium batteries – are used in e-cigarettes, laptops, cameras, phones etc.
- Alkaline batteries – used in TV remotes, torches, alarm clocks, etc.
- Lead acid batteries – car batteries, etc.
- Other portable battery types used in power tools, lighting equipment and other applications – NiMH, NiCd, etc.
Many academic departments and offices have small WEEE Ireland (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) battery boxes. Please follow the instructions below to empty those boxes.
- When the blue WEEE battery boxes are full, log a call through Campus Services requesting 'Transport' from the particular location to the closest WEEE barrel, either in EOLAS or Post Room (South Campus)
- The empty WEEE boxes will be returned to your office or academic department
- When the barrels are full, MGC will arrange a collection from WEEE Ireland.
NOTE: Vapes can be disposed of in the WEEE battery boxes.
We launched the 'Food Waste Awareness' campaign in March as part of Green Week 2023.
Please complete this form if you would like to receive the food waste kit (food waste caddie, bin liners and an informational leaflet).
See the promotional video here
Academic departments and office staff must collect the Canon toners from the Post Room in the John Hume building. Or the Post Room in Riverstown for offices in the South Campus.
Disposing of the empty toners:
Staff must bring back the used toners to the John Hume Post Room, where there is a specific Canon recycling box.
MGC, in partnership with the Residences Office and the International Office, organised the 'Reuse Pop-up Centre' giveaway event for students. Maynooth Green Campus team realised that (mostly) international students buy items while studying at Maynooth University. However, they cannot take them home at the end of the academic term in May. These valuable household items ended up in landfill, despite only being used for a few short months. MGC decided to do something about it!
At the end of last semester, we had collection points for students to donate their items - from kitchen utensils to winter coats and walking boots... students wanted their items to be reused! In September 2022, students had the opportunity to 'shop' for free second-hand items, contributing to the circularity of these items and saving money.
Location: Maynooth Student's Union Info Centre
This year we have collected approximately a TON of household items. The report be ready soon.
Mount Charles created its own branded reusable cup to encourage staff and students to use a reusable cup. How does it work? Under the scheme, staff and students can buy a reusable cup for a €2 deposit, which can be refunded once the cup is returned. It is possible to find the reusable cups in the Phoenix restaurant, in the Arts Building, and we will be adding more locations soon.
Maynooth University remains steadfast in its commitment to environmental sustainability, and the Mount Charles deposit and return scheme represents a significant stride toward a greener campus. Globally, over 500 billion single-use cups are used every year, and in Ireland alone, over 200 million. Although disposable cups are marketed as recyclable and compostable, only 1 in 400 cups are properly disposed of, meaning many end up in landfills or incinerators.
Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth, in partnership with 2GoCup, launched the deposit and return scheme in Pugin Hall, South Campus.
