What is “Trade Effluent” and what licences are required?

Trade effluent is any liquid discharge which is not domestic sewage (toilet, bath or hand washing waste, < 5 m3/day) or uncontaminated surface water and roof drainage (rainwater), that is to be disposed of from a business premises to the public sewer system, surface water or groundwater. Trade effluent may contain materials such as oil, grease, nutrients,...

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Water Resource €100k Cap Ex Saving

ECOS has been working with a manufacturing business since 2012 when we saved them €100,000 capital expenditure and €25,000 annual operational costs through optimising their use of a water resource. Through modification of a production process a waste stream was reduced by in excess of 90% , negating the need for on-site treatment. Additional savings...

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Environmental Management and Competitive Advantage

Environmental Management and Competitive Advantage

ECOS helps our clients to save costs or increase value within their business. Think of the following:  Cost of Prevention versus Cost of Failure Lean Management Principles Optimise your Products, Processes and People Environmental management as a just another business tool to make your business more efficient/effective and provide competitive advantage ECOS works with SME...

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Manage your EPA Licence – don’t let it manage you!!!

Manage your EPA Licence – don’t let it manage you!!!

An EPA licence is issued with a variety of conditions which detail the extent to key issues to be addressed, including: Site Infrastructure Environmental emissions control and abatement measures Inspection, monitoring, and reporting requirements Data Management and Communications Plans There is a significant body of work required to address the conditions presented in IPC, IED or Waste...

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What is Waste Management

Waste is a Resource which is not being used to optimise its value. Products Process People Waste management is a fundamental part of most businesses.  Waste hierarchy is a tool which is made up of five steps: reducing waste at the source, reuse of materials, recycling, energy recovery, and landfilling.  In order to be sustainable, waste management...

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Water Management

Water management is the activity of planning, developing, distributing and managing the optimum use of water resources.  Water resources are natural resources of water that are potentially useful as a source of water supply.  Natural sources of fresh water include surface water, under river flow, groundwater and frozen water.  Artificial sources of fresh water can include treated...

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Solvent Regulations – which ones apply to your business

Solvent Regulations – which ones apply to your business

If you use solvents, it is likely that either the Solvent Regulations 2012 or EPA Act will apply to you. The Solvent Regulations are aimed at solvent users who use 0.5 – 10 tonnes per year.  Such users must obtain a Certificate of Compliance from their local authority.  This certificate is valid for three years. ...

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End of Waste: Call to Action and State of Mind

End of Waste: Call to Action and State of Mind

End of Waste – sounds like a call to action at a rally and maybe it should be. Directive 2008/98/EC sets the basic concepts and definitions related to waste management, such as definitions of waste, recycling, recovery. It also explains When waste ceases to be waste and becomes a secondary raw material (so called end-of-waste criteria)...

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Lean/Green business principles increase performance and competitiveness

Lean/Green business principles increase performance and competitiveness

IDA Ireland, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland is providing a Lean/Green Business Offer to their client companies.  IDA is keen to support its client companies to develop their operations in Ireland and to introduce good environment management practices. This business offer is designed to encourage clients to adopt Lean/Green business principles to increase performance and...

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EPA Licence: How to avoid “death by a thousand cuts”

EPA Licence:  How to avoid “death by a thousand cuts”

An EPA Licence include those issued in respect of Integrated Pollution Control (IPC), Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) or Waste facilities. When your licence is managed correctly it becomes just another part of your business.  When you are not in control the process becomes “death by a thousand cuts”. All EPA licences are issued with a variety of...

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