Reduce, Reuse, Reward

Reduce, Reuse, Reward

11 April 2012

SMILE Resource Exchange, an initiative supporting Kerry businesses is delighted to have been shortlisted for ‘The Waste to Business Resource Award' at the upcoming national Green Awards. Now entering their fourth year, the Green Awards celebrate excellence in sustainability and encourage green best practice amongst Ireland's organisations and individuals.

‘The Waste to Business Resource Award' is designed to recognise those companies that turn the waste created by one process into resources which can then be used in the creation of new business opportunities.  It is fitting that SMILE Resource Exchange is recognised for its contribution, which encourages the exchanging of resources between businesses in order to save money, reduce waste going to landfill and to identify economic opportunity from turning a waste into a resource.

A distinguished panel of national and international judges, chaired by Duncan Stewart, will review all entries, and the winners will be announced at the glittering Award Ceremony, hosted by Risteard Cooper on April 19th at the Burlington Hotel, where each winner will walk away with a special trophy.

Michelle Green, Project Manager with SMILE Resource Exchange said "We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this year's awards which have seen the biggest response to date with over 300 entries, and to be shortlisted amongst entries of such high calibre really is an honour. We feel that SMILE really fits the bill in a category that looks at examples of how the ‘re-use and recycle' approach to business creates revenue and employment, while at the same time diverting materials away from landfill."

SMILE Resource Exchange was piloted in Cork in 2010, and since then has gone from strength to strength, including expansion into Kerry, Limerick and Clare regions in 2011, with further expansion planned in the coming months. Membership is free and businesses can register at www.smileexchange.ie or call (026) 20520. SMILE Resource Exchange is project managed by Macroom E and is funded through a partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), County & City Enterprise Boards and Local Authorities in Cork, Limerick, Clare and Kerry.