As 2015 approaches, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has called for companies across The Avondhu readership area to join up to Ireland’s fastest growing upcycling network.

The Taoiseach was speaking at the national launch of SMILE Resource Exchange – an innovative initiative whose aim is to link companies across Ireland that can share by-products rather than send them to landfill. Despite still being in its infancy, SMILE has over 1,000 members nationwide and the financial benefits of membership are quickly being recognised.

“I’m delighted to launch SMILE Resource Exchange and to lend my support to the bright idea of businesses coming together to reduce waste, save money and share resources,” said An Taoiseach.

“SMILE provides a great free service to businesses and allows them to network with other companies to find opportunities of mutual benefit and help the environment. I hope more Irish companies will be able to find new efficiencies and make new connections through the SMILE network.”

SMILE Project Manager Michelle Green said SMILE are welcoming new members from The Avondhu readership area through their new website – www.smileexchange.ie.

“The growth of SMILE from a small local project over the last three years illustrates a conscious move in Irish business towards greater resource efficiency,” Ms Green said.

“No matter what size company you have, this is an opportunity to engage with SMILE Resource Exchange and its members across North County Cork and also nationwide. We are part of an emerging trend across Europe to approach waste in new and innovative ways, connecting companies while sharing skills and experience, as well as materials. SMILE will be working with  the industrial symbiosis programmes across the members states through the European Industrial Symbiosis Association (EUR-ISA).”

Recently, SMILE has welcomed multi-nationals such as IKEA to its membership and has piloted bespoke exchanges between these and smaller Irish companies under their corporate social responsibility policies. SMILE’s new national platform hopes to develop further similar relationships and encourage greater symbiosis between Irish businesses of all sizes.