Cancellation of the Pakman Awards 2020

The 2020 Pakman Awards were due to take place later this year, with entries opening in June. Unfortunately, due to the impact of Covid-19 on businesses, community groups and Repak Members, it does not seem appropriate to launch the awards at this time.

Repak, our stakeholders and sponsors, all agree that the focus for businesses this year will be getting back up and running after the Covid-19 lockdown, looking after staff and customers, and ensuring we all continue to stay safe in these challenging times.

We have therefore decided, regrettably, to cancel the 2020 Pakman Awards.  This is not a decision we have taken lightly as we are acutely aware of the role of the awards in recognising excellence in recycling and waste management nationwide.  We will extend the 2021 Pakman Awards to include this year’s timeframe so that anyone who had hoped to enter, can take part next year.

Please note that the Plastic Pledge Award category will remain open for entries in 2020 from members of the Repak Members’ Plastic Pledge. All other categories are closed.

We are very grateful for the tremendous support of our Members, Sponsors, Stakeholders, Entrants and Media partners over the past five years of the awards, and we look forward to celebrating our collective successes with you all again next year.

In the meantime, you can view our short 2019 Pakman Awards video, which highlights the stories of some of our 2019 entrants and previous winners.

Aran Islands Co-op Recycling Project wins top national environmental award at 2019 Pakman Awards

• Aran Islands Co-op Recycling Project (Athchursail Árann) awarded the overall 2019 Pakman Award for its work transforming the waste management and recycling infrastructure on the Aran Islands
• Coca Cola, BuJo, RTÉ, University College Cork, Thorntons Recycling and Castletroy College were also amongst the winners

The Aran Islands Co-op Recycling Project (Athchursail Árann) was last night awarded the top prize at the 2019 Pakman Awards, the Overall Pakman Award, for its innovative and exceptional work transforming the waste management and recycling infrastructure on the Aran Islands, which have Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) status under the EU Natural Habitats Directive.

The awards ceremony, which took place at the InterContinental Dublin Hotel, saw 400 representatives from leading businesses, organisations and community groups come together to recognise excellence in recycling and waste management. All 14 category winners on the night were automatically put forward for the overall Pakman Award, won by Athchursail Árann.

About Athchursail Árann

Over the last 20 years, the Aran Islands Co-op Recycling Project has successfully transformed the waste management and recycling infrastructure on the Aran Islands by eliminating three landfill sites on the islands and creating a community-run kerbside recycling system for both dry packaging and compost. As part of the recycling project, dry recyclables are baled and sent to Galway; food and organics are composted; and residual waste is examined for reuse projects. Reuse projects on the islands include glass being crushed for use as aggregates for concrete; timber being shredded to go into compost; and bulky items, such as old windows, being stored for reuse on agricultural and garden sheds. The Galway Island organisation also won the ‘Community Recycling Initiative’ category on the night.

Presenting the final award Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, T.D. said: “As set out in the Climate Action Plan, managing our resources efficiently is crucial as we move towards a more sustainable, resilient society. We must step up – 70% of food waste is avoidable, half of the material we use is not being segregated properly, two thirds of plastic used is not on the recycling list and labels are confusing. Under the Climate Action Plan, we will end the use of non-recyclable plastic, halve food waste, ban a number of single-use plastics and cut dependence on landfill by 60%.

The businesses, community groups and organisations being recognised here tonight have shown the impact we can have through careful use of resources. They have set an example for others to follow and I’d encourage others to follow their lead and take action. In particular, I would of course like to extend a special congratulations to Athchursail Árann who have had a transformative impact on the Aran Islands.”

Coca Cola won the inaugural ‘Repak Plastic Pledge Member of the Year’ category. The new category was open to any of over 90 Repak members who have signed the Plastic Pledge, committing to achieve specific objectives relating to reducing plastic packaging and increasing the recyclability of packaging. Coca Cola topped the category by demonstrating its outstanding commitment to these objectives, including becoming the first water brand in Ireland to introduce 100% recyclable bottles, reducing plastic levels in all bottles by 7.5%, achieving 40% recycled PET integration across its plastic portfolio, and investing significantly in PET recycling facilities.

Castletroy College in Limerick was also a big winner on the night, picking up two awards: ‘The Environmental Education and Awareness Initiative’ award and ‘Battery Champion’. Teachers at the 1,200-pupil school in Limerick successfully integrated high quality educational material into their Junior Cycle curriculum to raise awareness of the circular economy and the importance of recycling e-waste. Thanks to this programme, in 2019 the school collected 10,715kg of WEEE, collected and reused 68.5kgs of electronics, and was placed 1^st in the European wide EIT KIC Raw Materials School Competition.

University College Cork (UCC) won the ‘Innovation in Waste Resource Products or Services’ award, sponsored by Ibec, and will now be considered for entry into the 2020 European Business Awards for the Environment. Should UCC be nominated for the European award, it will represent Ireland at Europe’s premier awards programme for sustainable businesses.

Other winners on the night included Burger-Joint, Bujo in Dublin, picking up the ‘Food Waste Management’ for its exemplary recycling of 95% of its food waste to energy and various other innovative initiatives; RTÉ, for the ‘Business Recycling Champion’ award; and Dillion Waste for the ‘Green Transport of the Year’ award.

Speaking at the Pakman Awards, Seamus Clancy, CEO of Repak said:

“Tonight, we celebrate those who have demonstrated excellence in recycling and waste management from a wide variety of companies, communities and industries across Ireland. The Pakman Awards highlight the importance of continually striving to improve environmental performance and provide a benchmark for others to follow.”

“We live in an era when recycling and waste management are of paramount importance to the public, businesses, the Irish government and the EU. The world’s attention is now focused on the health of our ecosystem, what we can do to reverse climate change, and how we can minimise our environmental impact. The winners and nominees in the 2019 Pakman Awards are some our nation’s best examples of the great work being done to tackle these issues.  They have evolved to not only meet the new expectations placed on them by society and government, but they are setting the standards both nationally and internationally on what excellence in waste management and recycling looks like in 2019. If Ireland is to reach its future EU recycling targets, it is crucial that we continue to collectively support such initiatives and promote positive behavioural change in Ireland.”

 “This year, we had a record 137 entries, the highest number ever submitted to the Pakman Awards and, more importantly, the standard has been exceptional.  I would like to commend all the winners and nominees for their fantastic work, with particular congratulations to the Athchursail Árann as the recipient of the 2019 Overall Pakman Award.”

The full list of nominees and winners is as follows:

To find out more information about the Pakman Awards 2019 visit www.pakman.ie or @PakmanAwards on Twitter.

We have our Finalists!

Final call! Don’t miss out on the chance to enter the 2019 Pakman Awards, powered by Repak

The Pakman Awards recognise excellence in sustainability, waste management, recycling and efforts to reduce climate change amongst organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals in Ireland

21st August 2019: Nominations for the fifth annual Pakman Awards are due to close in two weeks’ time at midnight on Saturday 31^st August. The awards, which celebrate excellence in waste management, recycling and sustainability will be held on the 24^th October 2019 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin.

Any business, organisation, individual, community group in Ireland is eligible to enter the Pakman Awards free of charge and submissions will be judged on excellence in waste management and recycling practices from January 2018 to January 2019.

Since the Pakman Awards began, organisations, businesses and community groups of all sizes have been recognised for demonstrating recycling excellence and innovation in sustainability and waste management. Previous winners of a Pakman Award include Clean Ireland Recycling, Tesco Ireland, Foodcloud and Foodcloud Hubs, Allied Irish Bank, Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Sligo County Council, Lidl, Recreate Ireland and Rehab Glassco.

Two new award categories have been introduced to the Pakman Awards programme this year:

The Innovation in Waste Resource Products or Services Award, sponsored by Ibec. Those shortlisted in this category will be considered for entry into the 2020 European Business Awards for the Environment. Not only will the finalists be singled out for their outstanding contribution to environmental protection at a national level, but they could potentially represent Ireland at Europe’s premier celebration of sustainable businesses.

The Plastic Pledge Member of the Year Award, sponsored by Repak. This category is open to any Repak member who has signed Repak Members’ Plastic Pledge, which launched in September 2018. Entrants must show a commitment to minimising avoidable use packaging and promoting packaging reuse where possible and a support to Ireland in delivering future plastic recycling targets of 55% by 2030, as set out by the European Commission.

CEO of Repak, Séamus Clancy made a final call for Pakman Awards 2019 entries: With the deadline for Pakman Award entries approaching, I encourage anyone who is considering submitting an entry to do so soon. All businesses, no matter how big or small, have an equal chance of winning.

 Repak recently conducted research amongst the Irish public, revealing insights into their attitudes towards the sustainability efforts of organisations. The research found that 72% of those polled make a conscious choice to only shop with companies in Ireland who are contributing to protecting the environment. A Pakman Award is one of the highest environmental accolades any organisation can win and the perfect way to promote an organisation’s achievements in sustainability.’’

Commenting on Clean Ireland Recycling’s double win at the Pakman Awards 2018, Michelle Nagle, Head of Administration said:

To be crowned the winners of both the Waste Recovery Operator of The Year (Commercial) award and the Overall Pakman Award for excellence in waste management and recycling last year was a testament to the team’s work.  Winning the Pakman Awards has been great for our business as it provides recognition of the work that we have been doing on a national scale.   

 Clean Ireland Recycling is one of the largest waste management service providers in Ireland’s mid-West and is celebrating 30 years in business this year. We are proud to be the first in the sector to implement many practices that have changes the Irish waste management sector for the better. We look forward to entering the Pakman Awards again this year.”

The 2019 Pakman Awards, powered by Repak, are proudly sponsored by The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Environmental Protection Agency, Arthur Cox, the Irish Waste Management Association, Chartered Institute of Waste Management, Enviroguide, WEEE Ireland, Repak ELT, AMCS, European Recycling Platform and Ibec.

To enter the Pakman Awards 2019, visit www.pakman.ie.

The deadline for nominations for the Pakman Awards 2019 is midnight on August 31st, 2019.

A quarter of the Irish public don’t know what measures Irish companies are taking to protect the environment

Repak research reveals Ireland’s attitudes to the sustainability efforts of organisations

• Almost three quarters (72%) make a conscious choice to only shop or engage with Irish companies who are contributing to protecting the environment
• Despite a quarter not knowing what Irish companies are doing to protect the environment, 99% feel that businesses in Ireland have a responsibility to be eco-conscious
• A third (33%) don’t know what measures organisations in Ireland are taking to reduce the impact of climate change
• Yet 99% feel Irish companies have a responsibility to play a role in reducing the impact of climate change

Today June 5^th, is World Environment Day and across the globe, people are being called upon to demonstrate that they are committed to a sustainable environment. While the Irish public are being encouraged to make an individual effort, almost all (99%) feel that organisations across Ireland also have a responsibility to protect the environment for future generations. That’s according to the findings of a new research study by Repak*.

According to the Repak research, a whopping 96% of those polled would be more inclined to shop or engage with a company who had been rewarded for tackling climate change. This news comes as the 2019 Pakman Awards, powered by Repak, launches its search to find environmental champions who are shaping Ireland’s future.

Now in its fifth year, the Pakman Awards recognises excellence in sustainability, recycling and efforts to reduce climate change. Organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals in Ireland are all eligible to enter. Entering the 2019 Pakman Awards are free, and nominations will close at midnight on 31^st August 2019. For more information, visit www.pakman.ie.

Getting down to business about the environment and climate change

With Dáil Eireann declaring a climate change and biodiversity emergency in recent weeks, perhaps it’s no surprise that reducing the effects of climate change is top of the agenda when it comes to what the public think are the responsibilities that companies in Ireland should have. Despite all (99%) feeling that all organisations have a responsibility to take measures to reduce climate change and over half (55%) knowing measures that some companies take, a third (33%) don’t know of any.

The Pakman Awards not only seeks to find but celebrate those who are championing a sustainable future in Ireland and educate others about their environmental excellence so that they too, can lead by example.

Five years of Pakman Awards

Over the past four years, the Pakman Awards have rewarded recycling excellence and innovation in waste management, shining a spotlight on leaders within Ireland’s environmental sector and this year sees the launch of two new categories:

The Innovation in Waste Resource Products or Services Award sponsored by Ibec. Those shortlisted in this category will be considered for entry into the 2020 European Business Awards for the Environment. Not only will the finalists be singled out for their outstanding contribution to environmental protection at a national level, but they could potentially represent Ireland at Europe’s premier celebration of sustainable businesses.

The Plastic Pledge Member of the Year Award sponsored by Repak. This category is open to any of Repak’s Members who have signed Repak’s Plastic Pledge on Packaging Waste, which launched in September 2018. Entrants will show a commitment to minimising avoidable use packaging and promoting packaging reuse where possible and a support to Ireland in delivering future plastic recycling targets of 55% by 2030, as set out by the European Commission.

Séamus Clancy, CEO of Repak, commented on the launch of the 2019 Pakman Awards:

‘A Pakman Award is an excellent way for any business, organisation or community group to demonstrate their commitment to a sustainable future for Ireland. From food waste to green transport, there is a category for everyone who is making a difference. The findings of our study show that 99% of consumers are willing make a conscious choice to only shop with companies who are contributing to protecting the environment, and a Pakman Award is a perfect opportunity to highlight those contributions.’

The 2019 Pakman Awards will be held on the 24^th October 2019 at the InterContinental Hotel, Dublin and as of today, nominations are officially open. Find out more information or submit an entry into the 2019 Pakman Awards, visit www.pakman.ie.

ENDS

#PakmanAwards2019

*refers to a research study of 745 Irish adults, conducted in June 2019.

Lidl Ireland entered the Pakman Awards in 2017, selecting Business Recycling Champion as the category of choice. Headed up by Logistics Projects Manager, Hugh MacAfee and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Deirdre Ryan, Lidl’s commitment to sustainability and the environment can be observed through the exemplary award submission that saw them picking up a trophy last October 26^th at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin.

The Business Recycling Champion award is open to any organisation or group within the business sector that exhibits and demonstrate leadership in managing and recycling their company’s waste. The Champion should be able to show passion and best practice examples to drive and sustain recycling with a zero waste concept.

Further requirements for the Business Recycling Champion category include providing evidence to support the following details;

• Improvements on your waste management scheme
• Recycling, re-use and waste minimisations
• Increased recycling tonnages (figures to demonstrate this)
• How initiatives were implemented
• Involvement of staff or consumers

From the off, Lidl’s entry demonstrated commitment to the following environmental targets: decreasing overall waste arising’s by 10% by 2020, increase the tonnage of batteries collected from consumers by 20% by 2020, achieve zero waste to landfill in 2017, redistribute 1 million meals in surplus food by 2020, carry out a carbon footprint analysis of the organisation, including all waste streams.

Lidl’s entry went into further detail explaining the strategy, objectives and results of these initiatives, underneath the following headings.

• Collaborations
• Zero Waste to Landfill
• Recycling, re-use and waste minimisations
• General Waste
• Food /Organic Waste
• Food Cloud
• Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR), Cardboard and plastic
• Batteries
• Reusable Pallets
• Employee Engagement
• Consumer Engagement

Lidl’s Pakman entry contained 1400 words, with text taking up three pages and images taking up a further two pages.

From engaging with stakeholders and employees to launching its new website, abettertomorrow-lidl.ie, Lidl’s commitment to a sustainable future is exhibited not only throughout its outstanding entry, but in its every day operations and communications.

Leading Irish businesswoman Chanelle, Lady McCoy, alongside Chief Executive of Repak, Seamus Clancy, today launched the call for entries for the 4^th annual Pakman Awards. The Pakman Awards is now in its fourth year and seeks to find and celebrate Ireland’s recycling and waste management champions in 2018.

Lady McCoy will once again lead the Pakman judging panel to select a winner for the ‘Innovation in Waste Management’ award. Chanelle’s extensive experience as an entrepreneur and successful business owner makes her a natural choice to judge this category again this year.

The Pakman Awards recognise excellence in waste management and recycling among businesses, organisations and community groups in Ireland. The awards ceremony will take place on the 25^th of October in the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin. Nominations for the awards close at midnight on August 31^st 2018. To enter the Pakman Awards 2018, visit www.pakman.ie.

Speaking at the launch of the 2018 Pakman Awards, Chanelle, Lady McCoy said:

“I am delighted to be re-joining the judging panel for the Pakman Awards, powered by Repak, for a second year.  The Pakman Awards provide a great opportunity for any business, no matter the size, to stake a claim and be recognised as one of Ireland’s recycling and waste champions. A Pakman Award allows nominees to diversify themselves from competition, enhance their reputation, and ultimately, demonstrate that they are committed to a sustainable environment – not because they should be, but because it’s the right thing to do.”

Seamus Clancy, Chief Executive of Repak, also commented:

“A Pakman Award is an excellent way for any business to demonstrate its green credentials and is a significant accolade for any organisation. More than ever, the environment and sustainability are being discussed at all levels around the world. A Pakman Award shows leadership within this area and demonstrates to your customers, clients and colleagues that you are committed to a sustainable future for Ireland.

It’s fantastic to have Chanelle on-board as a judge once again this year, as a champion of waste management within business, she’s a fantastic ambassador for the Pakman Awards.”

The 2018 Pakman Awards are free to enter and are proudly sponsored by The Department of Communications, Climate Actions and Environment, The Environmental Protection Agency, Arthur Cox, The Irish Waste Management Association, WEEE Ireland, Repak ELT, The European Recycling Platform and Repak.

#PakmanAwards2018

Dragon’s Den star Chanelle McCoy pictured at the launch of the Pakman Awards, 2017

Last Chance to Get Your Entries in for the Pakman Awards

3^rd August 2017: Nominations for the third annual Pakman Awards are due to close just weeks from now on Thursday 31^st August. The awards, which celebrate excellence in waste management and recycling, will be held on the 26^th October 2017 in the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin 4 with RTE correspondent Claire Byrne taking the role of Master of Ceremonies. Over 400 guests will attend on the night.

Any Irish business, organisation or community group is eligible to enter and submissions will be judged on excellence in waste management practices from January 2016 to January 2017. Previous winners of Pakman Awards include University College Cork, Aldi, Allied Irish Bank, Raidió Teilifís Éireann, The Sandymount Hotel, Sligo Country Council, Lidl, Meade Potato Company, Recreate Ireland and Rehab Glassco.

Not only will this year’s ceremony mark the third year of the awards, it is also the first year of a brand-new category, ‘Innovation in Waste Management’. The winner of this inaugural award will be chosen by a panel led by businesswoman and Dragon’s Den dragon,  Chanelle, Lady McCoy.

Pakman judge Chanelle McCoy commented: “I am so delighted to be involved in the Pakman Awards this year and in particular to be judging the Innovation in Waste Management category. I’ll be looking to award those who have demonstrated going the extra mile when it comes to protecting the environment through positive waste management and recycling practices. I encourage everyone to get involved and to give their business or organisation the chance to be recognised for truly making a difference to recycling in Ireland”.

CEO of Repak, Seamus Clancy is hugely positive about the success of the awards to date:

“There is just a month to go until nominations close for the Pakman Awards 2017, and we are thrilled with the entries received so far. The growth and increased success of these awards year on year is a testament to how far we’ve come as a nation in our strong recycling practices and our aim is to continue to spread awareness and secure positive results in this sector. On behalf of all of our sponsors, we are very much looking forward to rewarding those who have made such a strong contribution to recycling and waste management in Ireland.”

Speaking of winning last year’s Overall Pakman Award, Jeni Meade of Meade Potato Company said: “We have always sought ways to conserve our resources, from how we farm our potatoes and carrots to how we pack our fresh produce and handle our waste products. While we do all this regardless because it’s the right thing to do for the environment and the smart way to run a business, winning the Pakman Award has meant that these efforts are acknowledged and rewarded with increased exposure for our company.  We operate primarily through private label channels so achieving greater public exposure for our brand by demonstrating our environmental credentials was brilliant”

The 2017 Pakman Awards are proudly sponsored by The Department of Communications, Climate Actions and Environment, The Environmental Protection Agency, The Irish Waste Management Association, WEEE Ireland, The European Recycling Platform, AMCS Resource Technology, Arthur Cox and Repak.

The deadline for nominations for the Pakman Awards 2017 is midnight on August 31st 2017.

#PakmanAwards2017