‘Mentors’ share waste-expertise

BIG companies in the Mid-West have agreed to give a helping hand to smaller ones in their area by sharing their expertise on how best to tackle waste management.

Its part of a new pilot scheme called B2B Green Mentor which was yesterday launched in Limerick to reduce industrial and business waste.

The pilot scheme is being promoted by the Regional Waste Management Office which represents Limerick City Council, Limerick Co Council, Clare Co Council and Kerry Co Council. The office, established in 2003, coordinates the implementation of the Limerick Clare Kerry Regional Waste Management Plan.

The B2B Green Mentor Programme will encourage larger companies to become Green Mentors on a voluntary basis to their smaller neighbours.

For the host company, this will involve the provision of waste prevention guidance. Such activities may take place on an ongoing basis but particularly during designated dates such as Environmental Awareness Week, World Environment Day and Energy Awareness Week.

Margaret Murphy of the Waste Management Office said: “Reducing or eliminating waste is something everyone regards as desirable but the initial need for expertise and resources may be significant, particularly for small firms.”

In the initial pilot phase, approximately 60 small firms will take part in the programme.

Ms Murphy said: “It is already a proven fact that the total true cost of waste can represent up to 4% of a company’s turnover - there is therefore potential for significant cost savings. So it pays to become waste wise.”

B2B Green Mentor has already attracted support from some leading firms including Vistakon, Plassey Tech Park, Limerick, Wyeth, Askeaton, Avocent, Shannon, Klinge Pharma, Killorglin, and Roche, Clarecastle. The programme is grant aided by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP) -funded through the National Development Plan (NDP).