Press Release:
14/05/12
Trash or Treasure?
Survey results indicate Upcycling is becoming the Growing Green Trend
Reducing environmental impact has always been a challenge to small and medium sized companies
(SMEs). With new environmental legislation set to put pressure on these SMEs to move to products and
processes with a lower environmental impact, this challenge will no doubt increase over the coming
years. A new survey conducted by SMILE Resource Exchange highlights businesses attitudes to waste
disposal, and changing trends.
The landfill levy is set to rise even further this summer in a series of planned hikes, which will more than
double the charge from its existing level at the start of 2011. However the survey has revealed that
almost 60% of respondents were not aware of these increases, and the cost implications for their
businesses. Now is the perfect time to look at business practices relating to waste disposal and make a
change as the levy is scheduled to increase from €50 a tonne to €65 a tonne from July, followed by a
further increase to €75 a tonne on June 1st 2013.
The SMILE survey, completed by over 100 businesses throughout Munster, indicates that SMEs are
actively engaging in actions to reduce their environmental impact, with the majority of companies (92%)
disposing of unwanted waste through recycling; although 48% also still sending quantities of waste to
landfill. Just one respondent alarmingly said they send 100% of their waste to landfill, while the majority
said they send just between 1 and 24% of waste to landfill.
When asked about the benefits of implementing environmentally friendly measures, the most quoted
perceived benefit was ‘cost reduction’ closely followed by ‘waste minimisation’. Other responses
include fostering a ‘better image among customers’, knowledge that they are ‘doing their bit for the
environment’ and ‘increased efficiencies’. Michelle Green, Project Manager of SMILE Resource Exchange
said “These responses clearly indicate that many of the survey participants hold positive attitudes towards
the concept of improving environmental performance. Indeed, the above list of responses gives five very
sound reasons to initiate the process of making environmental improvements in the small business
setting.”
As well as recycling, there are various alternatives to sending waste to landfill – for example
environmental opportunities such as upcycling and the reuse of resources. Upcycling is the process of
converting unwanted materials or useless products into new materials or products, without degrading
the material it is made from; as opposed to recycling, which generally involves breaking down the original
material and making it into something else, using more energy. The good news is that 14% of survey
respondents said they don’t send any waste to landfill anymore – instead reducing waste through these
prevention measures, reusing materials within their own business and/ or making exchanges with other
organisations.
The companies’ awareness of environmental opportunities was split between ‘fairly well informed’ (39%)
and ‘not very well informed’ (38%). A very positive result is that a massive 82% said they would
definitely consider upcycling to help reduce waste and associated costs; and 2/3 of these have ideas for
For further Press Information contact
Alison O’Brien; Fuzion Communications; alison@fuzion.ie; (086) 3879388
Press Release:
14/05/12
products they would like to develop out of unwanted materials. These include specific furniture items,
compostable waste, trailers, and harvesting and heating systems to name but a few.
When asked what items they could currently upcycle, responses included quantities of regular waste
items such as styrofoam packaging, waste packaging, used carpet, used cardboard, old furniture,
polystyrene boxes, plastics, timber pallets, metals, machinery, IT equipment, tyres and non-hazardous
commercial waste to name a few. One of the more interesting responses was ‘irregular shaped eggs not
suitable for sale in the shops’.
A number of respondents currently have a product that their business is making from unwanted
materials; either unwanted materials generated from their own organisation or other organisations.
These products being reused range from wood being the most commonly used, to everything from
plastics, paper, cardboard, textiles to tyres, containers, metals, glass and furniture. Some more unusual
products being reused include horse chestnut, pressed flowers, willow rods, computer components and
3D cinema glasses! These products are being reused, and the range of items being produced include
furniture, bespoke bags and accessories, decorative items such as door stops, jewellery, arts, crafts and
sculptures. On a more commercial level, items include rubber mulch, baled tyres, cellulose fibre
insulation, and laptops.
Michelle commented "Environmental responsibility makes financial sense. What business would argue
against cost efficiencies in a climate where budget cuts and competitive advantage dominate decision
making? A growing number of companies are focusing on upcycling, although the trend is still in its
infancy; and so, if upcycling is going to become mainstream, then the corporate world needs to see that it
can be profitable, and this is what SMILE Resource Exchange is aiming to do.”
The business opportunities available through upcycling are not only relevant to manufacturers of durable
products, but also to businesses in many other sectors, including retailers, providers of insurance,
servicing/repairs, logistics and IT. Michelle added “The opportunities are endless, and upcycling is quickly
becoming an industry in itself, one which has the potential to create a lot of jobs, on the basis that there
will always be waste, and most people are willing to give away their waste, and that the only limiting
factor in this equation is creativity. SMILE Resource Exchange is currently running a pilot to assist
businesses who wish to, or have already, developed products from unwanted materials and looking for
advice and support in this area. We would urge anyone wth a business idea or indeed a business who may
have some interesting unwanted items that could be upcycled to contact us by visiting our website at
www.smileexchange.ie or calling us at 026 20520.”
END
For further Press Information contact
Alison O’Brien; Fuzion Communications; alison@fuzion.ie; (086) 3879388
Press Release:
14/05/12
Notes to Editor:
About Smile Resource Exchange:
SMILE (Saving Money through Industry Links and Exchanges) Resource Exchange is an initiative that encourages the idea that
“one person’s waste is another’s resource” and works with businesses and organisations to foster partnerships that allow them
to exchange their re-usable resources. SMILE Resource Exchange is project managed by Macroom E and is supported by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Cork County and City Enterprise Boards; Cork County and City Councils;
Limerick/Clare/Kerry Regional Waste Management Office; Limerick County and City Enterprise Boards; Kerry County Enterprise
Board; and Clare County Enterprise Board.
All resources offered through SMILE Resource Exchange are either free of charge or below market value, and businesses in all
sectors are invited to sign up today. To sign up or for further information on SMILE Resource Exchange, as well details of
upcoming events visit www.smileexchange.ie or call (026) 20520.
For further Press Information contact
Alison O’Brien; Fuzion Communications; alison@fuzion.ie; (086) 3879388