The key to the smart economy could be in your rubbish, according to the organisers behind a ‘Rethink, Recycle, and Remake’ free networking event which aims to stimulate and motivate entrepreneurs to turn waste into jobs.
Potential entrepreneurs in Galway who are interested in setting up a business using what someone else considers waste as raw materials are encouraged to attend the event which will be held at NUI Galway on Tuesday, November 9, from 10am and 12.45pm. The Rx3 network event is a Department of Environment, Heritage, and Local Government iniative to rethink, recycle, and remake waste into products, and will identify opportunities for reprocessing waste materials here in Irealnd, creating new businesses and new jobs.
“We need to rethink the way we think about waste and start to see it as a positive and lucrative resource that has the potential to create hundreds of long-term and local jobs throughout Ireland,” says Minister John Gormley, sponsor of rx3.
“In 2008 approximately 78 per cent (1.4 million tonnes ) of non-hazardous waste collected in Ireland’s green and brown bins was exported abroad for reprocessing into new products, including paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminium cans, steel food tins, organic waste, ferrous metals, textiles and glass. Instead, some of this material could have been turned into quality products and jobs at home here in Ireland and rx3 is showing people how. Ireland is full of talented, passionate people with strong ideas who just need the confidence and know-how to make their bright ideas a reality and the rx3 Networks are here to help them transform their ideas into products, jobs and money,” says Fred Mc Darby from Enterprise Ireland.
A business mentor specialising in SME start-up and growth projects will speak at the Galway rx3 Network, attendees will also learn from case studies by local companies based in Galway and Mayo in the remaking waste industries, and there will be environmental consultants from rx3 on hand to advise on materials and markets that are available and could be developed into potential new jobs and industries. There will also be opportunities to network and forge links with many experts and relevant people who can provide ongoing advice to new entrepreneurs.
Businesses already using waste as their raw materials and who will exhibit at the event at NUI Galway event include Murrays Recycled Plastics from Mayo, who make garden furniture using milk cartons and plastic drinks bottles, and JFC Manufacturing Ltd from Tuam who make pipes and decking from waste plastic.
The rx3 Network event is open to entrepreneurs or anybody who has an idea about creating a local industry in Ireland out of waste materials. Those involved in agriculture, horticulture, retail, construction, industry, academics, local authorities, SMEs, and investors will also find the rx3 Networks event relevant and worthwhile to attend. Places are free of charge but are limited, so potential entrepreneurs and delegates must register by emailing [email protected], lo-calling 1890-732925, or logging onto www.rx3.ie
