Tag: bin

ERP’s Giant ‘Trash EEE-lk’ Makes Invisible Electrical Waste Impossible to Ignore This St Patrick’s Festival

The European Recycling Platform (ERP) has, today unveiled its show-stopping ‘Trash EEE-lk’ (EEE: Electrical and Electronic Equipment) installation ahead of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin. The structure, made purely from e-waste, highlights the urgent need for Irish households to recycle (and not bin!) their invisible electrical items. The aim of the majestic mammal, which is set to dominate St. Patrick’s Park from 14th – 16th March, is to encourage people to dispose of electrical items, most notably, invisible e-waste properly. ‘Trash EEE-lk forms part of ERP’s Sustainability Partnership with the St Patrick’s Festival.
In addition to ‘Trash EEE-lk’, ERP has just released new findings in a survey conducted by Coyne Research. It reveals that 55% of adults have never heard of the term “Invisible WEEE”, despite almost universal ownership of small electrical items that often go unnoticed in Irish homes.
The findings show that chargers and cables are the most hoarded, most binned, and most recycled Invisible WEEE items, simply because almost every household owns several of them. Everyday items such as vapes, earbuds, headphones, power banks, remote controls, power tools and small kitchen gadgets also frequently end up in household bins – a serious concern as battery-related fires at waste treatment plants are on the rise. Vapes (13%) and audio accessories (9%) are among the items most commonly misdisposed of, while smart home devices (33%), electric blankets (33%) and even St Patrick’s light‑up hats and accessories (6%) add to ever-growing stockpiles of invisible e-waste accumulating in our homes.
ERP Ireland’s ‘Trash EEE-lk’ brings an ancient giant back to life to symbolise Ireland’s growing invisible electrical waste problem, encouraging the public to stop in their tracks and recycle responsibly, whilst highlighting the importance of correct disposal.
Designed by renowned Irish artist Ned Leddy, this striking large-scale installation is created from over 1,000 electrical items and components. Towering over the park, it measures five metres long, four metres high and boasts 3.5‑metre antlers. As a form of “artivism”, it does more than captivate – it aims to influence recycling culture and spark real change. Inspired by the prehistoric Irish Elk, the largest species of deer ever known, ‘Trash EEE-lk’ connects Ireland’s ancient past with a modern reminder to recycle the unseen.
‘Trash EEE-lk’ forms a wider part of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival theme, Roots, which explores identity, belonging and the shared stories that connect generations. The majestic Irish Elk – which roamed Ireland and Europe before, during and after the last Ice Age and became extinct around 7,700 years ago – stood taller than a modern moose, with antlers spanning up to four metres (13 feet). By transforming this ancient giant from no longer used electronics, ‘Trash EEE-lk’ blends Ireland’s deep past and ancient roots with a powerful yet modern message about recycling invisible WEEE.
Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Trash EEE-lk’, Artist Ned Leddy said:
“I was delighted to take on such an ambitious, creative and meaningful project. The idea of resurrecting an ancient Irish creature using today’s electronic waste immediately resonated with me. I hand-selected every piece of recycled material, choosing components that would add texture, scale and personality to the sculpture. It was fascinating to see discarded electronics transform into something so striking and symbolic. I hope ‘Trash EEE-lk’ inspires people to see waste differently while reconnecting us with our ancient past.”
Commenting on this year’s instalment, Country General Manager of ERP Ireland, James Burgess, added:
“This year’s St. Patrick’s Festival theme, Roots, is about understanding where we come from and how we shape the future. By reimagining the ancient Irish Elk through modern electronic waste, we want to spark meaningful conversations about sustainability and encourage people to think differently about the electrical items in their homes. ‘Trash EEE-lk’ truly brings Ireland’s lost Elk – and invisible WEEE – back into view.
Electrical waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, yet many people don’t realise that small items like cables, vapes or even light-up novelty St Patrick’s hats should be recycled. Through this installation, we’re showing that recycling is a simple action – one that protects our planet, preserves resources, and keeps electrical items out of our household bins.”

Initial Hygiene Unveils the Signature Inclusive Sanitary Bin

Initial Hygiene, Ireland’s leading expert in commercial washroom hygiene solutions, has launched a new offering in washroom waste disposal: its Signature Inclusive Sanitary Bin.
Developed over two and a half years, this bin marks a turning point for the disposal of hygiene waste within the toilet cubicle. Whereas most washroom waste units on the market are not necessarily inclusive of all waste needs, either due to their capacity, cubicle orientation or opening type, this new bin can safely and discreetly handle all forms of period and incontinence waste in the cubicle. It is therefore the perfect solution for all washroom types (female, male, accessible and unisex).
Colm Moore, Regional Technical Manager with Initial Hygiene Ireland, comments: “We believe that every person deserves dignity when using public or workplace washrooms. No one should enter a washroom without the confidence that they will be able to dispose of their personal hygiene waste in a discreet and dignified way within the toilet cubicle.
“For too long, the design of washroom waste units has overlooked the needs of many users, including men managing incontinence waste disposal to those people who need to use accessible facilities. The Signature Inclusive Sanitary Bin changes that. It has been specially designed for dignity in every cubicle by discreetly managing the disposal of both menstrual and incontinence waste.” 
Alongside its new sanitary waste bin Initial Hygiene has also unveiled five new door signs to help raise awareness and educate on the broad range of disabilities and conditions that accessible* washrooms should accommodate.
Accessible washrooms are often assumed to be only for those with visible mobility challenges, which might be due to the historic use of the wheelchair symbol on signage. Initial Hygiene believes that accessible washrooms need better signage to raise awareness of the wide range of disabilities or long-term health conditions that may mean a person needs to use an accessible washroom.
For example, many people with invisible conditions such as, chronic pain, autism, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, or those living with stoma bags will often need to use an accessible washroom. By adopting more inclusive signage, public spaces can send a clear message: accessible washrooms are for everyone, regardless of whether their disability or long-term health condition is visible or not.
Colm Moore, continues, “All too often, individuals with hidden disabilities may feel scrutinised when trying to use an accessible washroom. Door signage is a practical way to show what conditions an accessible washroom caters for as well as being a way of helping to educate other washroom users on the various reasons someone might need to use an accessible washroom. Currently, many signs only feature the traditional wheelchair symbol, which does not reflect the needs of those with less visible conditions.
“Everyone deserves a dignified washroom experience, and by introducing more inclusive signage, we can help ensure that accessible washrooms are recognised for what they truly are: spaces for everyone.”
This initiative comes at a crucial time, as research from the Irish Wheelchair Association shows that 66% of people with disabilities have trouble accessing public buildings, including toilets, and 68% believe facilities are inadequate. By supporting greater understanding and visibility of diverse needs, Initial Hygiene’s new signage aims to help building owners, businesses and local authorities create accessible washrooms that are more welcoming, better respected and used appropriately by those who need them.
For more information about the Signature Inclusive Sanitary Bin and Initial Hygiene’s full range of washroom hygiene solutions, visit www.initial.ie.
*By accessible washroom (also known as a disabled or accessible toilet), we mean a washroom space designed to accommodate people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairments, with features like extra space for manoeuvrability, grab bars, and accessible fixtures. It will also contain a wash hand basin and hand drying solution, all within the same space.