Mid-West companies invited to join reusable waste matchmaking program

SHANNON CHAMBER, in collaboration with members of its Mid-West Sustainability Network, is leading a mission to ensure that reusable company-generated waste is matched with businesses that can repurpose it.

This initiative reflects a growing recognition that sustainable business practices are not only environmentally responsible but also economically beneficial.

By connecting companies with opportunities to reuse waste, the Chamber is fostering innovation, resource efficiency, and a stronger sense of community collaboration across the region.

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Companies of all sizes, from manufacturing to service sectors, are encouraged to take part and contribute to a circular economy approach that benefits everyone.

Recognising that many companies are still in the early stages of developing effective waste management systems, the Chamber is calling on companies to get in touch and help establish a matchmaking database, the first step in this circular economy drive across the region.

Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said: “This initiative was spearheaded by Bill Doran, head of sustainability and supply chain at Ei Electronics. Based on his experience finding local partners for repurposing and recycling company waste, he felt other businesses could face the same challenges and that collective brainstorming could help find solutions. We were delighted to assemble a small group of companies to explore how this could be achieved.

“As a first step, we want companies to tell us what types of waste they have and in what potential annual volumes, particularly materials they feel could be repurposed.

“We will compile this information into a database and aim to match companies seeking materials with available reusable waste. They can also send a photo of the materials with their feedback and refer to the recyclable chart uploaded on our website,” said Helen.

The goal of the initiative is to turn what was once considered waste into valuable resources and reduce environmental impact while creating new business opportunities.

Through this, companies can contribute to a more sustainable regional economy, potentially lower disposal costs, and discover new revenue streams.

“This initiative is about collaboration, turning materials that might otherwise go to landfill into resources that benefit other companies and the wider community,” said Helen.

“We will facilitate connections, provide guidance and support, and showcase Shannon as a model for industrial circularity and waste reduction, which is the ethos of our Mid-West Sustainability Network.”

Companies with waste that could be repurposed are encouraged to contact Shannon Chamber at hdownes@shannonchamber.ie to register their materials and join the database.

The Chamber’s Mid-West Sustainability Network team will then work to identify potential matches and facilitate connections between businesses.