All SMILES for Cheeky Cherubs as they launch upcoming SMILE Resource Exchange Event

All SMILES for Cheeky Cherubs as they launch upcoming SMILE Resource Exchange Event

14 February 2012

Are you looking for new business opportunities or do you want help the environment and save money for your business? If the answer is yes, these Cheeky Cherubs are encouraging you to join other like-minded businesses at the free SMILE Resource Exchange networking event in Castlemartyr Resort, Castlemartyr, Co. Cork on Thursday 1st March.

SMILE (Saving Money through Industry Links and Exchanges) Resource Exchange is an initiative developed to help create mutually beneficial partnerships between businesses, and is based on the concept that "one person's waste could be another's resource". Piloted in Cork in 2010, the initiative has gone from strength to strength, and in autumn 2011 successfully expanded into Kerry, Limerick and Clare; with further expansion planned for 2012. The upcoming event is sure to give Cork businesses not already on board lots to "smile" about, as it works with them to foster partnerships that allow them to exchange re-usable resources, and in doing so, save money, reduce waste going to landfill and to develop new business opportunities.

At the upcoming free event, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about SMILE Resource Exchange, identify potential partnerships through facilitated networking sessions, and hear first-hand some interesting case studies of businesses already saving money through environmentally friendly practices. As places are limited, registration is essential for event, which runs from 8.45am to 1pm (followed by lunch, which is included), so visit www.smileexchange.ie to register today. 

Since its inception, SMILE Resource Exchange, which now has almost 500 members, has identified over 1,000 potential matches between businesses as well as identifying thousands of euros of cost savings for them. One such example is Cheeky Cherubs, an early year's school providing care for children from 6 months to 12 years in three centres around Cork. At Cheeky Cherubs, children are encouraged and enabled to develop in a creative and inclusive environment, and staff believed that some materials could be reused and recycled for creative purposes with the children in their care rather than being thrown away, hence their involvement with SMILE.

Through SMILE, an exchange was made with Cork City Enterprise Board, who had a quantity of scrap material which they were going to throw away. Cheeky Cherubs saw the potential for the material which they could use during craft activities with the children, as props for their plays, to aid the children's sensory exploration, and to assist with the children's language and communication skills i.e. describing the different textures of the materials. Cheeky Cherubs manager, Sara O'Donnell said "In making these exchanges, Cheeky Cherubs are saving money but more importantly we're teaching the children from a very early age, the importance of recycling and contributing towards the environment - in essence safeguarding our environment for the future!"

Commenting on the upcoming event, Michelle Green, Project Manager with SMILE said "At our most recent event in Limerick, 160 potential exchanges were identified among over 50 businesses in attendance; and now we're really looking forward to progressing even further in Cork, where it all started off."  Speaking about the resources available to businesses, Michelle added "All resources offered through SMILE Resource Exchange are either free of charge or below market value.  At the upcoming event, as well as through the website and our support team, businesses can identify resources they would like to exchange such as reusable items, by-products and surplus products."

SMILE Resource Exchange is project managed by Macroom E and is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Cork County and City Enterprise Boards; and Cork County and City Councils; as well as Limerick/Clare/Kerry Regional Waste Management Office; Limerick County and City Enterprise Boards; Clare County Enterprise Board; and Kerry County Enterprise Board in the other regions it is active in.

Sean O'Sullivan, South Cork Enterprise Board is looking forward to the upcoming event and is enthusiastic about the initiative: "SMILE proactively supports businesses, and joins enterprise and environment together in a unique and innovative way; and we are looking forward to welcoming lots of new members at this, the first event of 2012 on March 1st. We're encouraging businesses from all sectors to come along, find out more, and see how their businesses can benefit."

The upcoming SMILE Resource Exchange event is free and open to entrepreneurs and businesses from all sectors looking for potential business opportunities. To register for the event on Thursday 1st March, or for further information on SMILE Resource Exchange visit www.smileexchange.ie or call (026) 20520.