Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a technique used to quantify the potential environmental impacts associated with a product or service throughout its life cycle.   Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are tools which enable transparent communication to stakeholders.  LCA and EPD present comparable information about the environmental impact of of products and...

An Appropriate Assessment involves a case by case examination of the implications of a development or activity for a Natura 2000 site and its conservation objectives. The EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) placed an obligation on Member States of the EU to establish the Natura 2000 Network.  The Natura 2000 Network is a network of important...

Whether your business is a small restaurant or a large multinational manufacturing industry, if it generates a wastewater which is discharged to a sewer, a discharge licence is required with very few exceptions. Irish Water are responsible for the issuing of discharge licences for effluents discharged to sewers under the provisions of Section 7 of...

GreenStart and GreenPlus funding is available to clients of Enterprise Ireland and Industrial Development Authority.  The funding programmes are available to enable businesses to improve their performance using environmental management to either save costs, increase value or grow sales. An environmental management structure can help your company achieve competitive advantage through greater resource efficiency (energy/water/waste/wastewater) and...

The Article 11 process is the mechanism which can be used where there is uncertainty as to which type of waste authorisation may required  – i.e. waste licence, waste facility permit, certificate of registration or none of these. Clarification can be sought from the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the question for you in advance...

Congratulations to Sorcha Taylor, based in ECOS Limerick office, who has been selected to become a Climate Ambassador, one of Irelands first and the first for Limerick and the Mid-West Region.

Recurring themes for successful businesses working with ECOS include: Environmental management is just another business tool.  It can either cost your business money, gain value for your business and/or grow sales. Waste is any resource where it’s value is not being optimised.  ECOS works with SME and Multinational businesses to optimise your Products, Processes and...

The Local Authority Waters & Communities Office has been set up to raise public awareness and encourage local communities, public bodies and all stakeholders to work together in the management of our natural waters. The office has a staff complement of 3 regional coordinators, 3 support officers based in Clonmel and 12 Community Water Officers...

Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is a method for assessing the total cost of a project or process.  An LCCA allows a company to consider all options and compare both capital and operational costs to maximise net savings over the lifetime of the project. Life-cycle cost analysis evaluates the costs of the project design which will...

The Farm Hazardous Waste Collection Campaign was established to provide farmers with an accessible location in which they can safely dispose of hazardous waste. The scheme is led by the EPA in collaboration with Teagasc, the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE), and local authorities.  Whilst...