Improving Resource Efficiency
Origin Green is Ireland’s food, drink sustainability programme, and operates at a national level across the full supply chain, from farm to fork. Inflation is very much still on the rise as the new year rolls in. We speak to Martin Hofler, Sustainable Partnership and Development Manager, about the supports available from Origin Green for companies looking for opportunities that improve their resource efficiency during this cost of living crisis.
What is Origin Green doing to support companies through inflationary times?
Bord Bia has developed a threepart Resource Efficiency webinar series for Origin Green members. Each workshop provides companies with direction on how to increase their resource efficiency, which will help Origin Green members combat inflationary cost pressures while also contributing to sustainable performance in the food, drink and horticulture sectors. The sessions include guest speakers from Origin Green partner organisations including Enterprise Ireland, Uisce Éireann, SEAI, and Circuléire on their funding supports and training resources.
What topics feature in the webinar series?
The webinar series has a focus on waste, water and energy use, as the efficient management of these resources is not only key to improving the sustainability of a business, but also can lead to a positive economic impact in the
form of cost savings. These cost savings can come about through implementing measures such as improving water efficiency in cleaning processes, optimising boilers, and addressing compressed air links, to name a few. Each of the webinar sessions features Rob Duncan, manager of Energy and Environment Services at Mabbett. He provides guidance on potential improvements, and details some of the quick wins companies can implement to manage resources more effectively and sustainably.
The three-part Resource Efficiency webinar series commences with Resource Use and Waste. This webinar is aimed at supporting companies to manage waste more sustainably. Dr Geraldine Brennan, Head of
Circular economy, Circuléire, provides an overview of the resource efficiency and circular economy supports available to companies through Circuléire.
The second session of the series focuses on Water and Wastewater. This webinar is aimed at supporting companies to manage water and wastewater more sustainably. Christine Crawford of Uisce Éireann provides a deep dive into some water-saving tips and encourages companies to get involved with water stewardship.
The final webinar of the series is focused on Energy and Emissions. This webinar is aimed at supporting companies to manage energy use and also to provide information on available support and funding. Speakers include Kathleen O’Regan, sustainability and climate specialist from Enterprise Ireland, and Ali Donnellan, SME programme executive SEAI, who explains in detail the supports available to companies wanting to improve energy efficiency ratings for their premises.
Are these webinars available to view online?
They are available on the Origin Green resource page under the Resource Efficiency Webinar Series tab. There you can also find other sustainability guidance supports, such as the ScienceBased Targets webinar learning series and a three-hour in-depth discussion about communicating sustainability.