The Green for Micro programme is an initiative from the Local Enterprise Offices, with support from Enterprise Ireland, and is being being rolled-out nationwide to help prepare small businesses for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future. Eligible companies can avail of technical and/or advisory supports from external experts across a broad...

The link between Lean practices and environmental performance has been well documented.  Lean practices can contribute to enhanced environmental and business performance. The most obvious benefits of Green and Lean are cost savings which are synergistically coupled with value creation opportunities. Cost savings may include energy savings, productivity savings, and savings from improved utilisation of...

European Communities ( Waste Directive) Regulations 2011 presents a number of options to manage waste – Article 27 (By Products) & Article 28 (end of waste). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are the competent authority in Ireland for classifying by-product and end of waste: Article 27 of the European Communities (Waste Directive) Regulations, 2011, allows...

IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are providing a GreenStart and GreenPlus Business supports to their client companies engaged in both manufacturing and services activities. Green Start –  Focus on Value A short in-company assignment of up to 7 days with an external business development consultant, to introduce Lean/Green principles, environmental best practices, systems and structures,...

Lean and Green are terms which are interchangeable in terms of many aspects of business. Many manufacturers know the benefits of lean manufacturing: higher productivity, better quality, reduced cycle time, plus enhanced employee engagement. Lean is excellent at marshalling different groups and individuals into a high performing team focused on rooting out waste. Environmental waste...

It can be said that lean is green.  A lean organisation understands customer value and focuses its key processes to continuously increase it. The core idea is to maximise customer value while minimising waste.   Lean means creating more value for customers with fewer resources. The ultimate goal is to provide perfect value to the customer...

IDA Ireland, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland is providing a Lean/Green Business Offer to their client companies which will commence with a diagnostic audit of current practice and performance including the first steps to green competitiveness.  This business offer is designed to encourage clients to adopt Lean/Green business principles to increase performance and competitiveness that...

An innovative new circular shopping system designed to drastically cut packaging waste from consumer goods has launched as a pilot in France. The scheme, involving leading French retailer Carrefour, will enable customers to buy everyday products in durable packaging that can be cleaned, collected, refilled and reused. The circular shopping system is led by recycling...

The amount of single-use plastics in oceans and seas has been growing at an alarming rate.  The European Commission has proposed new EU-wide rules to target the 10 plastic products most often found on Europe’s beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear. Together these constitute 70% of all marine litter items. The...

‘This is Limerick’ brochure published this week, promoting Limericks economic resurgence to attract Foreign Direct Investment sets out the compelling case that Limerick now is ready for indigenous companies looking to establish a base in Ireland or expand an existing one. The brochure is an emphatic statement about Limerick’s strengths as an investment location today...