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,...

Environmental management has a raft of legislation associated with it covering air emissions water, waste water, integrated pollution control now known as industrial emissions. Environmental management has significant implications for business in terms of legal compliance, cost and technical measures to be implemented. How you address environmental management can have a significant bearing on your business and profitability. There are...

GreenStart provides an introduction to environmental best practice and helps in the preparation of a formalised environmental management structure.  This can help your company achieve competitive advantage through greater resource efficiency (energy/water/waste costs) and greater market share through enhanced credentials in a short, focused engagement.  The initiative is designed for companies that are unfamiliar with...

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...

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a technique used to quantify the potential environmental impacts associated with a product or service throughout its life cycle.   Life Cycle Assessment (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...

An Appropriate Assessment involves a case by case examination of the implications of a development or activity for a Natura 2000 site and its conservation objectives. The EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) placed an obligation on Member States of the EU to establish the Natura 2000 Network.  The Natura 2000 Network is a network of important...

Whether your business is a small restaurant or a large multinational manufacturing industry, if it generates a wastewater which is discharged to a sewer, a discharge licence is required with very few exceptions. Irish Water are responsible for the issuing of discharge licences for effluents discharged to sewers under the provisions of Section 7 of...

GreenStart and GreenPlus funding is available to clients of Enterprise Ireland and Industrial Development Authority.  The funding programmes are available to enable businesses to improve their performance using environmental management to either save costs, increase value or grow sales. An environmental management structure can help your company achieve competitive advantage through greater resource efficiency (energy/water/waste/wastewater) and...

The Article 11 process is the mechanism which can be used where there is uncertainty as to which type of waste authorisation may required  – i.e. waste licence, waste facility permit, certificate of registration or none of these. Clarification can be sought from the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the question for you in advance...

Congratulations to Sorcha Taylor, based in ECOS Limerick office, who has been selected to become a Climate Ambassador, one of Irelands first and the first for Limerick and the Mid-West Region.