After much excitement the winners of the 2022 Pakman Awards, powered by Repak, which celebrates many environmental champions finally met their fate as the ceremony took place on Friday night. The glamorous location of the Marker Hotel in Dublin set the scene, welcoming all deserving finalists with open doors and mass appreciation for their dedication to the cause of protecting the environment.
All twelve categories were covered, including the prestigious Overall Pakman Award which went to Limerick Polymers Production on the night. Its contribution for its outstanding work helping Ireland increase its waste recycling rates received extremely warranted recognition as the overall winner, as well as the award for Waste Recycling and Recovery Facility.
The Limerick site is home to Ireland's first purpose-built plastic recovery facility, processing over 70,000 tonnes of mixed plastic each year. LPP boasts the largest investment in recycling infrastructure in the history of the state, at a staggering €18 million. To date, Limerick Polymers Production has upped the recycling of Ireland’s mixed plastic film by 53%, which is expected to increase over the coming years. LPP plans to create a truly circular economy for plastic packaging in Ireland.
Other award categories included Battery and WEEE Champion, which went to Currys Ireland. The electrical retailer is taking the matter of e-waste very seriously after launching its 'Cash For Trash' campaign last year - the first Irish tech retailer to do so - which tackles the disposal of small electrical waste by accepting it back after it reaches the end of its life. With such an innovative recycling initiative in place, Currys Ireland’s mission to become the most green and most environmentally-responsible tech retailer in the country looks set to be a triumph if the current pace continues.
The Business Recycling Champion award was given to timber manufacturer CJ Sheeran Limited. Aiming to reach net zero by 2025, the company recovers and recycles in excess of 3 million used pallets each year. per annum. Laois-based CJ Sheeran puts special emphasis on its green procurement methods, exclusively purchasing raw timber from Forest Stewardship Council-approved suppliers to promote sustainable management of the forests where its materials are sourced. Through its clear path to cutting greenhouse gas emissions, CJ Sheeran’s mission to reach net zero seems well on track to success.
The annual Community Recycling Initiative award recognises a local area's commitment to preserving our planet on a larger scale than can be achieved by an individual. This year’s trophy is heading to the Cork County Council and Cork City Council offices, thanks to the Relove Paint scheme. The councils teamed up with Newmarket’s IRD Duhallow, Farranferris’ Northside Community Enterprise and Skibbereen’s Cycle Sense to organise a mass collection of unwanted paint, which is then filtered, remixed and recoloured into a second life for the paint. The fresh paint is then released back into the community at a lower cost, truly embodying the spirit of recycling. Over the past year, the Relove Paint initiative has salvaged 5 tonnes of paint - that’s the size of a large elephant!
Among the other Repak-sponsored awards on the night was the Waste Prevention Award going to Palm Free (Zero Waste) Irish Soap Ltd. The company’s dedication to sustainability through plastic-free, low cost and zero waste products was a long overdue commendation. In its quest to become carbon neutral, Palm Free uses processes that require low levels of energy input in a bid to offer an alternative to the common retail soap, shampoo, deodorant and detergents that use an abundance of plastic and wasteful packaging. Palm Free aims to "provide handmade natural cosmetics" to its customers, so that they can "live a clean and conscientious lifestyle whilst caring for their skin and our planet". With such honourable intentions, it calls into question the lack of similar efforts being made by its more plastic-utilising competitors.
The award for Innovation in Waste Resources went to Rebox, whose impressive statistics speak for themselves. Between March 2020 and July 2022, Rebox manufactured and supplied over 3.8 million cardboard boxes to small and medium-sized enterprises in Ireland. To date, Rebox has sourced over 2,950 tonnes of cardboard for reuse. The environmentally-friendly process involves using local supply chains from larger entities in the Irish economy, cutting costs and reducing waste along the way. As a result, Rebox is responsible for saving natural resources over 12 million KW of energy so far - that’s enough to power 3,000 homes for an entire year.
Other Pakman Award winners:
Plastic Pledge Award
Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland
Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard
Lidl Ireland GmbH
Tyre Champion
Continental Tyre Group Ltd
Waste Recovery Operator - Commercial and Household
Panda Green
Environmental Education and Awareness Initiative
Eastern-Midlands Regional Waste Management Plan Office
Speaking about the success of this year’s Pakman Awards Winners, the Minister of State for Public Procurement and eGovernment, Ossian Smyth TD, said: "Since last year’s Pakman awards, the Government has published Ireland’s first Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy and enacted the first Circular Economy Act. The pace of change is remarkable. The Pakman awards don’t just recognise the marvellous achievements of individual companies but will further inspire and energise us all to reach Ireland’s potential to become a leader in the circular economy."
Séamus Clancy, CEO of Repak spoke to say that 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. I would like to thank our sponsors, congratulate all the winners and finalists and extend a special congratulations to Limerick Polymers Production the winner of the 2022 Overall Pakman Award’.
Brendan Keane, Spokesman from the IWMA, also commented: "The 2022 Pakman entries saw Irish businesses both large and small take a major step forward in the innovative reduction and recycling of precious natural resources. In particular, we saw smaller organisations, communities and individuals doubling down on their impacts to yield both cost and resource savings which gives us clear hope for the future in Ireland as a nation, committing to and striving for a circular economy".
To read more about the Repak-powered Pakman Awards, where the efforts of Ireland’s most accomplished leaders in recycling and waste management are recognised visit http://www.pakman.ie
