Businesses urged to go green for the Fleadh

The colour green is associated with Ireland, traditional music and dancing and with the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil coming to Cavan this August, businesses throughout the county are being encouraged to go green - but in a different sense of the word. An Fleadh Ghlas is encouraging businesses, particularly those in the hospitality sector who will be feeding and accommodating the estimated 200,000 people expected in Cavan over the weekend, to "go green, lean and be seen". Those interested in improving efficiencies, saving money and greening their image, are invited to attend a half day Green Hospitality Award Workshop in the Cavan Crystal Hotel next Wednesday, February 24 from 9.30am to 1pm. The initiative is being driving by Cavan County Council and, in particular, its in-house green team. Sinead Fox who works in the waste management section of Cavan County Council explains that the local authority has been running its own efficiency programme for over a year now. She revealed that local authorities in Cavan saved in the region of €30,000 last year by concentrating on reducing its waste and energy and consumption. Ms. Fox is encouraging businesses to work towards being environmentally sustainable. "We are using the fleadh as a platform to reach businesses in the town and the county to encourage them to be more efficient and at the end of the day there's huge scope for saving money," she said. Setting an example, Cavan County Council promises that this year's fleadh will be the greenest yet. A three-bin system (landfill, recyclables and organic waste) will be available around the town free of charge for competitors and revellers. The bins will be placed at strategic locations around the town. Also, there will be three campsites with an estimated 1,000 tents within the boundaries of the town. All campsites, Ms. Fox reveals, will be completely green. They too will operate a three-bin system, as well as employing water saving devices and energy efficient appliances in the kitchen areas. "Anything we can do, we will," says Ms. Fox. And for businesses who engage with the forthcoming workshop and green programme, they will be rewarded with a listing on the official fleadh website and an eco logo for their business. Although the workshop is not limited to the hospital sector and all types of businesses are welcome. However, Ms. Fox explains that the hospital sector, which traditionally uses the most energy and water, has the most to gain from the workshop and the Green Hospitality Award. The event is sponsored by Cavan County Council and supported by The Irish Hotels Federation, Restaurants Association of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency and Fáilte Ireland. Outside of An Fleadh Ghlas, businesses who engaged with the Green Hospital programme can opt to have their businesses audited. The Green Hospitality Award provides a step-by-step approach to environmental management with awards given at bronze, silver, gold or platinum level. It has fast become the standard for environmental management within the hospitality sector in Ireland (check out www.ghaward.ie). Outlining the type of things that can be done, Ms. Fox explains that water saving devices were installed within all local authority offices and area offices in the county. There is also an internal envelope system - with special 'green' envelopes that can be used up to 50 times. A 'Power Down' initiative was introduced encouraging all employees to turn off their computers and computer screens at night, and at the socket. There is no penalty for those who fail to do so but Ms. Fox explains that there is an incentive scheme. There is an annual draw with various prizes. Anybody discovered to have left their computer on after hours, is taken out of the draw.The green team, which co-ordinates the programme in-house, also works to raise staff awareness and encourage them to be more energy efficient, save money and ultimately be environmentally friendly. The local authority has just introduced an in-house paper reduction programme to improve on the success it has achieved in the last year in becoming more energy efficient. "Staff are encouraged to print both sides of paper and copy both sides," explains Ms. Fox. Also, employees are urged not to print out emails or documents unnecessarily - working towards a paperless office. • If you're interested in joining An Fleadh Ghlas, making your business greener and ultimately saving money and reducing your carbon footprint, register for the workshop. Contact Sinead Fox on 087-9808507, email sfox@cavancoco.ie or call Olive on 049-4378486.