Irish Village Markets, has been awarded €coMerit Environmental Certification by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Ossian Smyth and Ms. Aileen Eglington, President, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber Agency.
Ms. Abigial Murphy, Environmental Protection Agency, An Cathaoirleach Cllr. Ossian Smyth, Mr Des Vallely, Irish Village Markets, Ms. Aileen Eglington, President Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber and Ms. Gabby Mallon, CEO Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber.
An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Ossian Smyth commented:
“It is a great privilege to award the €coMerit Environmental Certification to Irish Village Markets, a company which has an Environmental Policy committing it to continually improve its performance. The company recently encouraged and got agreement from all its vendors to switch to compostable packaging and cutlery to reduce the environmental impact of its operations so that they now only require recycling and compostable bins to manage waste at their markets”
Irish Village Markets’ environmental improvement plans also include upgrading lights with LED alternatives to improve energy efficiency, monitoring fuel usage and investigating ways to conserve water. They are also now researching the option of using edible packaging wherever practicable.
On receiving the EcoMerit Certification, Des Vallely, Irish Village Markets said:
“We are delighted to receive this €coMerit Certification, and we are looking forward to using the programme to help us meet our environmental improvement goals. In undertaking our operations, Irish Village Markets is committed to minimising our effects on flora and fauna. We will whenever possible, reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources, minimise waste, reuse materials and prevent pollution by dust, noise, artificial light or unnecessary traffic movements in the course of our business.”
The Certificate is valid for three years subject to annual surveillance of Irish Village Markets’ commitment to continuous environmental improvement in line with the requirements of the €coMerit Programme and was awarded following approval by a steering committee comprising Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the Regional Waste Management Offices and environmental consultancy, Econcertive and the Environmental Protection Agency.
