Cork's SMILE Resource Exchange Announces Expansion
into Kerry, Clare & Limerick
Minster for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, T.D. and Cork North West T.D., Aine Collins were "all smiles" as they joined representatives from SMILE Resource Exchange to announce the initiative's expansion from Cork into Limerick, Clare and Kerry.
SMILE (Saving Money through Industry Links and Exchanges) Resource Exchange is an initiative developed and piloted in Cork, to help create mutually beneficial partnerships between businesses. Established in 2010, SMILE Resource Exchange encourages the idea that "one person's waste is another's resource" and works with businesses and organisations to foster partnerships that allow them to exchange re-usable resources, and in doing so, save money, reduce waste going to landfill and to develop new business opportunities.
SMILE Resource Exchange is project managed by Macroom E, and is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and Cork County and City Enterprise Boards; Cork County and City Councils; and now Limerick/Clare/Kerry Regional Waste Management Office; Limerick County and City Enterprise Boards; Kerry County Enterprise Board; and Clare County Enterprise Board.
Commenting at the announcement of the expansion of SMILE Resource Exchange, Cork North West T.D., Aine Collins said "I'm delighted to be here to celebrate the expansion of this project. Since its inception, SMILE Resource Exchange has identified over 1,000 potential matches between businesses, as well as identifying thousands of euros of cost savings for businesses in Cork. The expansion into Limerick, Clare and Kerry will drive this even further in the coming months and I'm delighted to lend my support to the project which is both environmentally and economically synergetic."
Sean O'Sullivan, CEO, South Cork Enterprise Board, which has supported SMILE Resource Exchange since the beginning, has seen the benefits to businesses in the region: "Cork was the flagship region for SMILE Resource Exchange and was such a massive success that we're now looking forward to progressing even further with the initiative which is based on the principle of building relationships through networking. In Cork, potential exchanges were identified through networking events, an online exchange facility and a support team to assist; and this principle will now be applied in Kerry, Limerick and Clare. This initiative has received huge support, financial and otherwise, from the EPA, which is down to their foresight in recognising the project vision of SMILE Resource Exchange; and the progress made wouldn't have been possible without them."
Speaking about the initiative and upcoming events, project manager, Michelle Green said: "SMILE Resource Exchange is a free initiative that proactively supports businesses, and joins enterprise and environment together in a unique and innovative way; and we look forward to hosting a number events and welcoming new members in our new regions this October and November."
A series of free events take place this autumn in Limerick, Clare and Kerry; and at these exchange events, as well as through the website, businesses can identify resources they would like to exchange such as reusable items, by-products and surplus products. All resources offered are either free of charge or below market value. SMILE will host events, on October 26th in The Brehon, Killarney; and a joint Limerick/ Clare event on November 23rd in The Radisson Blu Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick; and registration is essential as places are limited.
Further information on SMILE Resource Exchange and to register for upcoming events visit www.smileexchange.ie or call (026) 20520.
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