03/03/23 Businesses in Donegal Town Going Green

Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Micheál Naughton, launches the Donegal Town Green Hub with local businesses showing great interest.

Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Micheál Naughton addressing Businesses and organisations for the Launch of the Donegal Town Green Hub Initiative

The Donegal Town Green Hub pilot was launched on Tuesday 28^th February in The Abbey Hotel in Donegal Town. This initiative is led by Donegal County Council in partnership with the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices supported by the Local Enterprise Office, Donegal ETB, Donegal Town Community Chamber and the Donegal Town Business Focus Group. Over 30 businesses and organisations were represented at the launch, showing an incredible interest in learning about sustainability actions for business.

P‌ictured at the Donegal Town Green Hub Launch L to R: Suzanne Bogan, Waste Awareness Officer, Donegal County Council, Dearbhla Kelly, Donegal ETB, Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Micheál Naughton, Grace Korbel, Donegal LEO, Sinéad Ní Mhainnín, Regional Waste Management Planning Office, Michael McGarvey, Director of Service, Water & Environment, Donegal County Council

Attendees at the launch heard from:

• Sinéad Ní Mhainnín, Waste Prevention & Resource Efficiency Officer with the Connaught Ulster Regional Waste Management Office, who provided the national context of the Green Hub initiative.

• Suzanne Bogan, Waste Awareness Officer with Donegal County Council spoke about the MyWaste commercial assets that are available from www.mywaste.ie/business and the implementation of the project in Donegal Town.

• Dearbhla Kelly, Enterprise Engagement Officer for Donegal ETB, presented on the ETB’s ‘Sustainability Management in Business’ course and the ’50 Shades Greener’ programme for accommodation providers, restaurants & visitor centres.

• Grace Korbel, Assistant Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office, talked about the ‘Green for Micro’ programme aimed at small businesses.

The Green Hub Pilot Project is aimed at encouraging businesses to implement good waste management practices, particularly in the areas of waste segregation and recycling. Currently, 70% of the material found in commercial general waste bins could be diverted to the food and recycling waste streams. It is hoped that this pilot will showcase with improved practices in the workplace, that this figure can be greatly reduced, and whilst not only increasing recycling rates, will also aid Ireland’s transition towards a Circular Economy.

Launching the initiative Cllr Naughton, Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council said he was “thrilled that Donegal Town was chosen as one of the six national pilots for the Green Hub campaign. It is our responsibility to take care of the environment we live in. Encouraging local businesses to take proactive steps towards sustainability is something we will take great pride in. I would encourage all businesses throughout the Donegal Town area to join us in creating a positive impact and more sustainable future”.

“Waste segregation and recycling are aspects of waste management that can be improved in businesses and workplaces by implementing some simple practices and actions. The guidance available as part of this pilot is clear and engaging, and it is hoped, will have a significant positive impact on recycling rates going forward, “commented Suzanne Bogan, Waste Awareness Officer in Donegal County Council.

 Mary McGettigan of Donegal Town Community Chamber speaking at the launch said “Donegal Town Community Chamber CLG is delighted that Donegal Town has been chosen as a Pilot Town for The Green Hub Initiative which is being led by Donegal County Council. We are all aware of how important it is for us to learn how to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly in all aspects of our lives including home, business and community. We encourage everyone to actively engage with this worthwhile venture and look forward to seeing the benefits of this in our town and locality”.

Gareth Britton, Owner of All Sports, Donegal Town and Chair of the Donegal Town Business Focus Group spoke of the event “It was very informative and interesting to make me sit up and look at some of our own operations, to take a proper look at my own business in relation to areas where we can not only reduce our carbon footprint but also, at the same time potentially make some savings on our energy costs. All in all, it’s a great initiative for the whole country and not only us here in Donegal Town. We are delighted to be involved as one of the few pilot towns in Ireland to have this initiative rolled out in and I’m sure it will be a huge success for all of those who get behind it and help make a change.”

The MyWaste Business Toolkit is available from www.mywaste.ie/business

This initiative delivered by the Regional Waste Management Offices and funded by the Department of Climate Action, Communications and the Environment.

Ends.

Source: Suzanne Bogan, Waste Awareness Officer, Donegal County Council 0749153900 or email [email protected]