Former GAA commentator, Micheál Ó’Muircheartaigh joined businesses from all over Limerick, Clare and further afield at the hugely successful SMILE Resource Exchange event in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ennis Road on Wednesday 23rd November.

Special guest, Micheál, who is Patron of the SMILE (Saving Money through Industry Links and Exchanges) Resource Exchange, addressed over 60 participants from 56 businesses who attended the free event which was based on the concept that “one person’s waste could be another’s resource”, where he encouraged the sharing and exchanging of resources in order to reduce costs and help the environment.

During his opening address, Micheál shared his thoughts and enthusiasm for the SMILE Resource Exchange initiative: “Nowadays I’m noticing more and more people are environmentally conscious, and making positive changes to do their bit.  SMILE Resource Exchange is a positive project that allows businesses to work together to get results; and at the same time achieve something that is so important to businesses today, money saving measures.  I’m proud to be associated with SMILE Resource Exchange, and through this initiative we can help businesses share resources, create better business practices, agus thar gach ní eile (above all else) enhance the environment by reducing landfill.”

167 potential exchanges were identified at last Wednesday’s free event, which marked SMILE Resource Exchange’s recent expansion into Limerick, Clare and also Kerry; and gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about SMILE Resource Exchange and identify partnerships through facilitated networking sessions.  The team from SMILE Resource Exchange will now work with those businesses to foster the partnerships, which will allow them to exchange reusable resources.  For the companies involved, these prospective exchanges have the potential to save money, reduce waste going to landfill and develop new business opportunities.

As well as Micheál’s inspiring opening address, those in attendance also heard some interesting business case studies from John Sammin, SPeco Services; Stuart de Lacey, Springfield Plastics 343; Geraldine Gregan from O’ Connors Bakery; and David Fitzgerald of Woodlands House Hotel about how their organisations have adopted environmentally friendly practices and money saving measures, similar to what can be achieved through membership of SMILE Resource Exchange.

Following the event, Michelle Green, Project Manager, SMILE Resource Exchange said “We are delighted to have identified over 160 potential exchanges between 56 businesses at our joint Limerick/ Clare event, which was a tremendous success.  We are honoured to have Micheál Ó’Muircheartaigh as SMILE’s patron, and I would sincerely like to thank him for taking time out to lend his support to the project.” 

Michelle added “Since its inception, SMILE Resource Exchange has gained over 400 members and identified over 1,000 potential matches between businesses, as well as identifying thousands of euros of cost savings for businesses; and while it will take our team some time to quantify and calculate potential cost savings to businesses from this event, we’re really looking forward to achieving similar statistics in our new region.”

Through SMILE Resource Exchange events, the website, and with assistance from the dedicated support team, businesses can identify resources they would like to exchange such as reusable items, by-products and surplus products.  All resources offered through the initiative are either free of charge or below market value. 

SMILE Resource Exchange is project managed by Macroom E and is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Limerick/Clare/Kerry Regional Waste Management Office; Limerick County and City Enterprise Boards; Clare County Enterprise Board; as well as Kerry County Enterprise Board; Cork County and City Enterprise Boards; Cork County and City Councils.

Margaret Murphy from the Limerick, Clare, Kerry Regional Waste Management Office was delighted with the amount of interest in the initiative: “It is encouraging to see so many business people turn out for this event which proactively supports businesses, and joins enterprise and environment together in a unique and innovative way.  We’re living in a time when businesses are, and need to be, more conscious of the environment and economy, and this innovative initiative allows them to do just that.”

Membership to SMILE Resource Exchange is free, and open to entrepreneurs and businesses from all sectors.  For further information on SMILE Resource Exchange visit www.smileexchange.ie or call (026) 20520.