Ryan Yvonne, Byrne Paul, O'Regan Bernadette, Moles

Establishing an Eco-Industrial Network for SMEs within the Mid-West Region of Ireland

Ryan Yvonne, Byrne Paul, O’Regan Bernadette, Moles Richard
Centre for Environmental Research,
University of Limerick, Ireland.

Abstract

It is estimated that SMEs are responsible for 70% of industrial pollution across the EU. This project aims to enhance and improve the environmental performance of SMEs in the Mid-West region of Ireland through the development of an eco-industrial network. The establishment of such a network through information and resource sharing, waste minimisation and reuse, water and energy conservation, shared transportation, centralised waste collection and treatment as well as increasing the influence of SMEs within regional planning through better communication with policy makers and the local community would have a positive outcome for the companies involved, the environment and society as a whole within the region.

Since January 2005, 20 companies have committed to this project. Environmental audits and waste inventories have been completed on most of these companies. Researchers are also examining material flows and waste inventories of the participants to identify potential environmental and economic linkages. The successful completion of this project will result in a best practice blueprint for the development of eco-industrial networks in Ireland.

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