Sinéad Ní Mhainnín
Connacht Ulster Regional Waste Management and Planning Office
Businesses ‘in the know’ understand the importance of implementing circular economy practices, particularly good waste management practices. To assist businesses on this journey, numerous resources are now available.
Circular economy activity boosts competitiveness and is relatively easy to implement. “Consumers and suppliers are now more environmentally aware,” agrees Sinéad Ní Mhainnín, Connacht Ulster Regional Waste Management and Planning Office.
Sustainability attracts talent
“Consumers seek out companies that can provide them with products and services that are truly sustainable,” says Ní Mhainnín. More businesses are now recognising this trend and recognise that actions to enhance the circular economy can be a powerful staff recruitment and retention tool because Millennials and the Gen Z generations in particular want to work for companies that reflect their values. “Many potential staff candidates now ask: ‘What are your sustainability policies or climate action goals?’” asks Ní Mhainnín.
There is significant potential
for businesses to increase
their recycling rates.
Improving business recycling practices
Businesses understand how important it is to adopt circular economy practices, including good waste management. “There is significant potential for businesses to increase their recycling rates,” says Ní Mhainnín. “We know from an EPA survey that over two-thirds of the contents of the general waste commercial bins should be placed in either the recycling or food waste bins.” Various free resources are now available to help businesses improve waste segregation and increase their recycling rates.
Link between net zero and the circular economy
There’s another reason for businesses to participate in Ireland’s transition to a circular economy: the link between climate change and waste is significant, and actions can be implemented to address this. All actions, large and small, are important. Even small individual actions can make a big overall difference. “In the workplace, staff can bring their own reusable cups and also ensure that they separate all their recyclable waste,” says Ní Mhainnín. “These are simple individual actions, and businesses can also help make this easy for their staff by having the right, consistent resources in place. Utilise Ireland’s official guide to waste management, MyWaste.ie, where numerous resources and information are available free of charge. It can assist businesses and their workforces in this endeavour,” says Ní Mhainnín. Free materials are available, including posters, bin labels, guidance brochures and animations on good waste management practices.
