Dr Joanne Rourke
Resource Efficiency Officer, Eastern-Midlands Regional Waste Management and Planning Offices
Switched-on businesses know how important it is to adopt circular economy practices including good waste management. Various resources are available to help them on their way.
If we are to mitigate the impact of climate change and save the planet, transitioning to circular economy practices is the right, self-preserving thing to do. For companies, there’s a strong business case for it, too.
Circular economy boosts competitiveness
Circular economy practices such as recycling, reusing and sharing are known to increase competitiveness and ultimately boost bottom lines. “Consumers are a lot more environmentally aware now,” agrees Dr Joanne Rourke, Resource Efficiency Officer, Eastern-Midlands Regional Waste Management and Planning Offices, Dublin City Council. “They are actively looking for companies to provide them with products and services that are truly sustainable.”
Savvy businesses know this. They also know that the circular economy can be a powerful staff recruitment and retention tool because Millennials and the Gen Z generations in particular want to work for companies that reflect their values. “These candidates are asking questions in interviews such as: ‘What’s your sustainability policy?’” says Dr Rourke. Plus, streamlining energy, water and waste can help organisations cut costs.
Using a proper colour-coded, three-bin
system for recycling, food waste and
general waste — situated in the same
order — will make it easier for staff.
Link between net zero and the circular economy
There’s another big reason for businesses to aid the transition to the circular economy: due to the link between climate change and waste, it would be a massive boost to Ireland’s net zero ambitions — and even small individual actions can make a big overall difference. “For instance, staff can bring a re-use cup with them to work and make sure they separate and recycle waste materials,” says Dr Rourke. “Those things are easy to do.”
Businesses can make this simple for their staff by having the right, consistent resources in place. Take waste segregation. “Using a proper colour-coded, three-bin system for recycling, food waste and general waste — situated in the same order — will make it easier for staff,” she adds.
Ireland’s guide to waste management
The MyWaste website — Ireland’s official guide to waste management — has numerous resources and information to help businesses with this endeavour, including free posters, bin labels and a step-by-step guide to setting up a waste system. There are also four short, animated guidance films designed to engage staff and improve waste segregation practices.
The Regional Waste Management and Planning Offices also offer a MODOS Circular Economy Training programme designed for SMEs and micro-enterprises in Ireland. “This is an online awareness-building course that helps companies understand where they may have potential to adopt circular processes and improve their environmental performance,” explains Dr Rourke. “Waste management may not be at the forefront of everyone’s minds, but people and companies need to realise how important it is.”
