We're one step closer to the highly-anticipated 2022 Pakman Awards, where Ireland’s finest purveyors of excellence in waste management and recycling will be crowned. Suspense is mounting, as the shortlist of finalists competing to win environmental awards for businesses, organisations, community groups and initiatives have been revealed.
One of the highlights of this year’s awards included a charity draw which will see six charities nominated by the winners across the ten categories winning a €1,000 cash prize each.
Among the finalists for the Business Recycling Champion (sponsored by WEEE Ireland) is Swords Pavillions. The shopping centre’s continuous efforts in waste reduction management have inspired its mission to become a fully carbon-neutral business by 2030. Over the past year, its energy consumption has decreased by 10% and dropped energy production by 38%. The shopping centre’s carbon footprint has also been consistently reducing since efforts began, now successfully recycling 100% of its waste (an impressive 638 tonnes - the equivalent weight of five blue whales). In addition to Swords Pavillions’ waste recycling, its customer toilets now harvest rainwater to keep supplies constant, and its solar panels generate enough energy to power the boilers for hot water. It’s clear that other shopping centres should take note - sustainability is possible, every small effort adds up to make a big difference.
Hoping to win the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications-sponsored Community Recycling Initiative award is Meath-based Joe Bonner. Through his tireless dedication to organising local recycling and eco-friendly events, Joe has facilitated a more mindful and engaged community when it comes to promoting a circular economy. The added bonus of these cost-saving measures has resulted in over 2,000 tonnes of bulky household waste being disposed of at a much lower price than it would cost to do so through commercial routes. Additional support from Thornton’s Recycling means that local event attendees are supplied with high-quality compost from their brown bins to encourage more homegrown plants and vegetables to protect the biodiversity in the area - and it’s free. Joe’s efforts prove that a little community spirit and encouragement can really go a long way.
This year, the Education and Awareness Initiative award is sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency. Among the 2022 finalists is the National Spring Clean campaign, which is Ireland’s biggest anti-litter movement. After two years of restrictions due to the pandemic, National Spring Clean reintroduced its month-long nationwide clean-up this year to much enthusiasm and participation. To date, over 5,640 groups have registered to participate in National Spring Clean across Ireland, along with over half a million volunteers taking part in its organised clean-ups. The result is a total of over 2,800 tonnes of rubbish being collected from our local areas which would have otherwise harmed the environment. Beyond the appointed clean-up month, the effects of the initiative continue to be felt in participating areas, with locals left feeling inspired to keep doing their bit for their surroundings all year round.
Hoping to win the award for Waste Recycling and Recovery Facility (sponsored by AMCS Resource Technology) is finalist Glassco Recycling Ltd. Located in Naas, Co. Kildare, the facility centres its efforts around sustainability. As the name suggests, waste glass, metal and cans are Glassco’s bread and butter, turning these high-quality raw materials into brand new packaging after being taken through a sustainable recycling loop. Given that the use of recycled materials requires considerably less energy than producing brand new packaging, Glassco’s efforts have saved almost 54,000 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere to date - that’s the same weight as the Titanic!
But Glassco faces stiff competition, as Limerick Polymers Production is also a finalist in the Waste Recycling and Recovery Facility category. The premises of Ireland’s largest family-owned recycling specialist is also home to the country’s very first purpose-built plastic recovery facility. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Limerick Polymers Production also boasts the largest recycling infrastructure investment in history, at a staggering €18 million. The fully-automated plant can process over 70,000 tonnes of packaging a year, which has resulted in a 53% increase in the amount of mixed plastic being recycled in the entirety of Ireland this year. The figure is expected to keep rising as LPP continues to grow, with a bright future of carbon emission reduction on the horizon in Limerick and beyond.
Speaking about the finalists, Repak CEO Séamus Clancy said: "We are delighted to be celebrating many environmental champions at this year’s awards, who are leading by example in implementing excellent recycling and waste management practices over the last twelve months. This year saw some of the highest entries from companies, businesses, community groups and individuals to the Pakman Awards, a reflection of the commitment of many industries in Ireland to help reach our future EU recycling targets and protect our planet for future generations.
The standard of this year’s entries was not only exceptional but served as inspiration for others in how to deliver exemplary environmental practices."
The 2022 Pakman Awards take place on 28th October at the Marker Hotel in Dublin’s Grand Canal Quay, where the efforts of Ireland’s most accomplished leaders in recycling and waste management will be recognised. Learn more about the finalists at pakman.ie.
