National Survey on Reuse of Treated Wastewater in Ireland

The Water Systems and Services Innovation Centre (WSSIC) at the Nimbus Research Centre in Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) is undertaking a project on the role of water reuse in Ireland in the context of the circular economy.  The project is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the EPA Research Programme 2014-2020. One key...

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Actions are required to address the global plastic crisis

Ireland, Europe, US, Australia and others have for a long time been dependent on China to take the poor quality plastic that they collect and do not have the infrastructure or capacity to use themselves. As of January 2018 China has decided it does not want the low value plastics Until more recycling plants are...

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European strategy to protect against Plastic Waste

The first-ever Europe-wide plastics strategy, adopted today, is a part of the transition towards a more circular economy. It will protect the environment from plastic pollution whilst fostering growth and innovation, turning a challenge into a positive agenda for the Future of Europe. There is a strong business case for transforming the way products are designed, produced,...

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Environmental Impact Assessment Explained

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the measurement of the anticipated effects of a proposed project or development on the environment. The purpose of the EIA process is to ensure that: All projects that are likely to have a significant impact on the environment are assessed.  People are fully aware of the likely effects of the...

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Local Authority Waters & Communities Office

The Local Authority Waters & Communities Office has been set up to raise public awareness and encourage local communities, public bodies and all stakeholders to work together in the management of our natural waters. The office has a staff complement of 3 regional coordinators, 3 support officers based in Clonmel and 12 Community Water Officers...

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Life Cycle Analysis: Explained

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a technique used to quantify the potential environmental impacts associated with a product or service throughout its life cycle.   Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are tools which enable transparent communication to stakeholders.  LCA and EPD present comparable information about the environmental impact of of products and...

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‘Take a green step’ website is now online!

Take A Green Step is brought to you by the European Commission’s Directorate General for the Environment, supported by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. Do you work in the tourism sector? Are you looking for ways to make your hotel or restaurant more eco-friendly? Then check out this new website which is full of...

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Green Business Seminar: Ennis 28 June 2017

Green your business, reduces your costs and make your business more sustainable! Businesses of all sizes can make significant cost savings by focusing on waste in their business.  Every business creates unnecessary waste.  This can often be due to complacency and bad habits. This seminar will explore the ways companies can reduce and eliminate waste...

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10 Reason why SMEs should consider Sustainability

There are many reasons why Sustainability is good for business, including opportunities for SMEs to benefit. Potential to increase profits,  eg. reducing energy usage, waste, raw material and transport which all correlate directly to reducing costs. Fulfil the demand for greener products and services. There is a growing demand among consumers for greener and safer products and people are...

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Benefits of a Zero Waste Economy (Circular Economy)

The EU has proposed higher recycling targets in a bid to transform Europe’s economy into one where nothing is wasted, supporting sustainable growth and a zero-waste economy. Under the new targets, European countries will: Anticipated benefits of a zero-waste economy include: The EU is working towards a “circular economy” or  zero-waste economy, in which reusing,...

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