If your organisation wants to improve its environmental performance, profits, efficiency and public image, then the CGPP is for you.

The aim of the CGPP is to encourage better business practices, helping to reduce the consumption of resources and minimise environmental burden through process and product innovation. This provides a win-win solution as organisations become more economically and environmentally sustainable.

The available grant-aid will range from €5,000 to €40,000 depending on project scope.

All applications must be made online using the EPA’s Grant Award and Project Managment Portal at https://epa.smartsimple.ie/s_Login.jsp?lang=1

For further details please refer to the call documentation below, or contact Keiron Phillips - k.phillips@epa.ie – with any technical queries regarding the call.

For guidance on registering and applying for the call using the EPA’s online grant management portal, please email research@epa.ie

CGPP6 Technical Description and Guide for Applicants 

CGPP6 Terms and Conditions 

CGPP6 Guide for Grantees 

Laura Burke, EPA Director General, said,

“The EPA’s Cleaner Greener Production Programme specifically seeks to reduce environmental impact through process and product innovation and today’s forum demonstrates that Cleaner Greener Production can provide win-win outcomes for business and the environment.   Being resource efficient allows companies to make considerable savings while acting in an environmentally responsible way.  Sustainable production and consumption are essential to ensure that economic recovery and growth do not compromise the quality and cleanliness of Ireland’s environment.”

Between 2008 and 2012, 24 different projects were funded under the Cleaner Greener Production Programme across sectors such as food, IT, services and manufacturing. More than 50 companies and organisations were involved and the projects are now being implemented in almost 1,600 sites across Ireland.  The EPA committed approximately €2.2m in a once-off grant aid and the participating organisations also committed their own funds, demonstrating their commitment to the projects. Total investment in the projects amounted to €4.5m.

The projects have delivered annual savings of approximately €2.9m. In addition, these projects have demonstrated the potential for significant returns from this type of investment as well as improved corporate social responsibility and environmental credentials.

The EPA today also launched BeGreen, a one stop shop for businesses, homes and commercial activities seeking to prevent waste conserve water and reduce energy consumption. Specific guides and videos to promote resource efficient practices have been developed for a wide range of sectors including restaurants, pubs, garages, shops, farms, manufacturers, service providers, hospitals, festivals, colleges, small and medium sized enterprises and households.   The various guides and videos, as well as information about the waste prevention programmes available, can be accessed via the EPA website at http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/resource/begreen/.

The EPA report Better Business in a Better Ireland – Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP) Business Case Studies 2008-2012 is now available.

Further information on the call for applications under the Cleaner Greener Production Programme, announced today, will be available on the EPA website.

A showcase of leading Green Irish businesses

When: 2^nd May, 2012

Where: Science Gallery, Dublin

The EPA invites you to a showcase of Irish businesses and organisations that are leading the way in environmental responsibility, resource efficiency and eco-innovation, having taken part in the EPA’s business-orientated Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP) or BeGreen scheme.

This event is the perfect opportunity to meet and network with these leading companies, see first-hand their experiences of the CGPP and BeGreen programmes, and hear of the major environmental and economic savings that resulted.

A major new report, summarising the outstanding achievements of the programmes over the last four years, will be launched by Laura Burke, EPA Director General. The report highlights the win-win outcomes for business and the environment, and shows that environmental improvements can form the basis for enhanced competitiveness.

Registration for this event is now closed.

In the interview Shane highlights some excellent examples of how Irish companies, that received funds from EPA, can make major economic savings, when implementing resource efficient practices.

You can listen to the interview below:

Shane Mooney interviewed on ‘Green Midlands’ – Feb. 2012

The companies referred to were:

• Tool & Plastic, Longford.
• Green Isle, Naas.
• Larkin’s Engineering, Tuam.
• JFC Plastics, Tuam.

During 2002, both the Waterford City landfill site and the Waterford County landfill site ceased to accept commercial waste. In the aftermath of this development, Waterford Chamber of Commerce initiated a waste prevention/minimisation pilot project, which was specifically targeted at the construction sector: this sector is one of the biggest generators of commercial waste. Three Waterford-based construction companies participated in the Value Green Construction Scheme (VGCS) pilot project.

Each of these companies set out to prevent/minimise on-site waste; they also set out to show other construction companies how the implementation of a ‘green policy’ could help them to increase their profits, reduce operating costs and enable them to pass on some of the resultant cost savings to their clients. Over a period of nine months in 2002/2003, the VGCS project team developed a series of systems, procedures and plans aimed at increasing companies’ operating profits by reducing on-site waste. The lessons that they learned were incorporated into a step-by-step guide, which was published in 2004 by Waterford Chamber of Commerce and the Environmental Protection Agency. The guide can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

EPA Value Green Construction Scheme Guide

Noel Larkin, MD Larkin Engineering, and Bobby Kerr

“Larkin Engineering Street Products” is a line of products manufactured by the Tuam based company and is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), programmes  – the Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP) and the National Waste Prevention Programme and a local company, SPeco Environmental Health and Safety Consultants, based in Galway. Under (CGPP) a number of environmental initiatives were investigated such as energy, waste and water minimisation, eco design and manufacturing efficiency.

Laura Burke, EPA Director said:

“Through the Cleaner Greener Production Programme, the EPA is assisting Irish enterprises to improve their environmental performance.  Businesses like Larkin that participated in the EPA’s Cleaner Greener Production Programme have shown how achieving resource efficiency brings big economic opportunities. EPA study showed almost €1.6m per annum worth of savings for Cleaner Greener Production Programme companies from a one off investment by the EPA of €1m. The EPA is delighted to assist companies such as Larkin to grow in both an economic and environmentally-sustainable way.”

Through the ‘How Green is Your Business Competition’, Larkin Engineering demonstrated how Eco-design brought about new ideas. One such example involved the manufacture of a new bin using 38% less material. The company also started a take back system to refurbish existing bins rather than asking customers to purchase a new bin.

Below are some of the green efficiencies achieved by Larkin:

Eco-design

• Saved 38 % of the raw material  previously being used on each 100 litre jumbo bin;
• Product take back and refurbishment:  local authorities demonstrated that 3.5 bins could be refurbished for the same amount of energy as it would take to manufacture one new bin;

Energy

• Electricity usage was reduced by 9000 kWh per month in 2011 compared to 2010;
• Significant savings were achieved in energy spend per new bin;

Waste

• Over 40% reduction in the amount of metal being sent for recycling from production since 2008 due to improved material utilisation.

• 19% improvement in production efficiency due to improved layouts and work practices.

Water

• Rain water harvesting allowed the manufacturing plant to become self sustainable.

Silicon Republic coverage of iameco launch – “A world first”

The Environmental Protection Agency launched the Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP) in 2001 as a grant scheme to encourage Irish organisations to implement cleaner greener practices. The philosophy of the programme is that prevention is better than cure.

The projects challenged organisations to produce goods and services in more environmentally friendly ways, targeting the minimisation of emissions through cleaner production methods. The objective was to achieve a balance between economic activity and protection of the environment.

Since 2001 the EPA has committed over €7 million to 89 organisations that have received part funding for demonstration projects under this programme. Companies commit to developing demonstration projects that reduce their environmental impact and are applicable across the business sector. Environmental performance is fast becoming a marketing tool and there is an increasing demand for environmentally sound products and services both in the EU and across international markets.

The long-term aim is to try to ensure that cleaner greener production and eco-efficiency become the established norm in Ireland. The EPA hope that other businesses will learn from and build on past success stories and that will work towards the CGPP’s objective: “Better Business in a Better Ireland”.