OceanWise 2021-2022
The latter part of 2022 saw me complete the final report for the OceanWise project, on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The OceanWise project is now approaching its conclusion and its many outputs should prove to be valuable resources for anyone who has to manage EPS and/or XPS at end- of-life. All of the reports, including the summary report which I compiled, are available on the OceanWise website.
In 2021 I completed two major reports for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). The DHLGH is a partner to the OceanWise project, an EU project on which I have worked before. To start, I won the tender to provide comprehensive reports on the policies in place for EPS and XPS, in the EU and further afield, with a focus on those items most likely to become marine litter i.e. single-use food and beverage containers. A secondary requirement was a short analysis of how the OceanWise project outputs link into elements of the EU Green Deal. A further section required an overview of the policies governing EPS and XPS as Food Contact Materials.
Later in 2021 I took on the responsibility, on behalf of the DHLGH, of drafting the final report of the OceanWise project. This involved summarising all of the reports and data completed by the other OceanWise partners under the various Work Packages, including the comprehensive comparison testing, testing of alternative materials and life-cycle analyses.
Fishing for Litter Report 2020
Fishing for Litter sample catch
During 2020 I produced a report for Board Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) which formed part of a larger project. BIM has been at the forefront of efforts to encourage fishermen to retain, store and return to shore any litter found in their fishing nets, through the Fishing for Litter programme. Ensuring that the correct waste infrastructure is available to the fishermen is key to this programme’s success. There are designated facilities into which the litter can be deposited at several of Ireland’s major ports and harbours but BIM needed to know what happens to the litter, much of it plastic, once it is collected. From a small number of site visits (less than planned due to the pandemic), telephone interviews and other research I was able to compile a detailed report, on how the litter that is collected, is dealt with by waste management companies.
Research into Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) 2018 – 2020
EPS usage at the fish market in Venice
Throughout 2018, 2019 and into 2020 I was kept busy, chiefly with the extensive research required to write two reports for Repak regarding EPS and XPS. As one of the partners to the OceanWise project, Repak needed a comprehensive study on the production and use of EPS and XPS across 14 European countries, together with a second report detailing the options for recycling waste EPS and XPS.
This was a fascinating area to research, with a much broader range of uses for both materials than I had anticipated. It was disappointing however to discover that the list of recyclers in each country was quite small, even though both EPS and XPS are 100% recyclable. The second report included details of case studies where EPS is being recycled successfully on a commercial basis, in Ireland and further afield.
While the OceanWise project continues into 2021, Repak has published the reports, as one document, on its website.
Options for Recycling Oyster Bags 2019
Oyster bags on trestle tables
During 2019 I conducted a short but comprehensive study on the potential options for recycling and re-using end-of-life oyster bags, for Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Oysters are grown in HDPE bags in some of Ireland’s coastal counties and hundreds of these bags reach the end of their useful life each year. BIM wanted to know if the bags could be reused or recycled. A site visit to an oyster farm formed part of the research and provided a fascinating insight into this small but important part of the Irish seafood production industry. It was very satisfying to discover that there are both reuse and recycling options available and BIM used the outputs of the study for their ongoing work with the oyster growers to make their production methods more sustainable.
Paint Reuse Report 2017
Report on paint reuse
I was commissioned by the Rediscovery Centre to research and write a report on paint reuse, practices and policies, both here in Ireland and further afield, to complement an ongoing
project. It was a fascinating field to research, revealing a particularly complex area in reuse, with a multitude of factors affecting the percentage of paint that is reused globally.
Testimonial from Dr Sarah Miller, CEO of the Rediscovery Centre
“Maeve has been an invaluable consultancy/resource for the Rediscovery Centre. Working with us recently on a paint reuse project, she was quick to grasp the project requirements and to design and deliver outcomes appropriate to the task at hand. Her research capability is exceptional and she is an absolute professional. I look forward to continuing to work with Maeve in the future and highly recommend her for any research consultancy role”.
Community Reuse Network Ireland 2016/2017
During 2016/2017 I took on the role of Network Co-ordinator for Community Reuse Network Ireland providing maternity leave cover. Starting in this role meant getting up-to-speed very quickly on the whole area of reuse.
The network of members, mainly social enterprises, provides a wide range of reuse and recycling services, together with valuable training and employment opportunities in their local communities.
The role was both interesting and challenging and involved working closely with the CRNI member organisations and engaging with a number of stakeholders, such as the EPA Resource Unit, the Department of Communication, Climate Action & Environment and RREUSE, a pan-European reuse network.
Reference from Una Lavelle, Chairperson of CRNI
“Maeve represented the Network at National conferences and seminars and always spoke with authority and confidence, delivering our message clearly and passionately. She is very process driven and methodical, which is a necessary skillset when dealing with European and national funding submissions and reporting. Work, to the highest standard, was always completed and delivered on time. She proved to be an excellent Chair at national meetings, managing all sectors and personalities with ease. She delivered all that was asked of her in the role and more”.
Envirocom Awards 2015 & 2016
In both 2015 and 2016 it was a pleasure to be invited again, by Dun Laoghaire Chamber of Commerce, to be a panel judge for the EnviroCom Awards. Working with Keiron Phillips of the EPA in 2015, we judged the worthy finalists in the Environmental Performance category. In 2016, together with Aileen Duffy of SEAI, we were the judges of the Energy Management category.
Being a judge afforded me the opportunity to meet with many businesses in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area, who are taking bold steps to operate on a more sustainable basis.
Since 2017, the environmental awards have been included in the overall Dun Laoghaire Chamber Business Awards.
Envirocom Awards 2014
During 2014 I was involved in the successful delivery of the Envirocom Awards, organised by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber of Commerce, to recognise excellence in environmental management by businesses in the local area.
Winners at the Envirocom Awards 2014
Working alongside other members of the Organising Committee, our responsibilities included compiling marketing databases, drafting marketing/advertising documents and press releases, shortlisting the applications, arranging the judging and overseeing the final decisions, devising and managing the gala Awards dinner.
As a lay judge I was also involved in the judging of three categories which entailed site visits with the other judges and preparing detailed follow-up reports.
Being part of the team that delivered another successful Envirocom Awards was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. More details about the awards can be found here: http://www.dlrchamber.ie/envirocom
Testimonial from Hal Ledford, Committee Chair:
“Maeve worked with me over the last year on the Organising Committee for the EnviroCom Awards 2014. The Awards are run by the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the County Council to recognise businesses and agencies for their environmental achievements. She was very reliable, volunteering for a range of extra tasks and always completing them on time and to a high standard. Her work involved a range of skills including environmental analysis, event management, candidate judging, event promotion, database development, writing, research, teamwork and much more. I hope to continue working with her in the future and recommend her unreservedly”.
Environmental Sustainability Feasibility Study
Fish-box EPS in Ireland
2013 saw the successful delivery of a comprehensive report concerning fish-box EPS. This detailed report was commissioned by Repak to ascertain the volume of fish-box EPS that needs to be dealt with annually in Ireland, the methods currently in use for disposal, and to investigate the commercial recycling options available. The summary report can be found on the Repak Prevent and Save website.
Testimonial from Repak:
“Maeve worked for Repak as a business consultant in 2013. She produced an excellent report for us that examined the problem of fish box packaging in Ireland…..Maeve understood the issues immediately, produced the report on time and on budget and gave us excellent results that we are still using to manage the problem today. We look forward to working with Maeve again when the opportunity arises”.
Sustainable Business Forum – Dublin 2013
Ray Earle, Congress Chair & Maeve Thornberry at the IWA-WCE Congress in the CCD Dublin.
In 2013 I also worked on a sustainability-themed event; on this occasion I worked with the Chair to manage the speakers and agenda for the Sustainable Business Forum, a session which took place as part of the Greenway European Cleantech Cluster Forum during April 2013 in Dublin.
Testimonial from Ray Earle:
“Again, Maeve’s excellent skills, expertise and commitment, together with her professionalism and enthusiastic approach, made her a pleasure to work with and I hope that we have the opportunity to team up again in the future”.
International Water Association – Congress on Water, Climate and Energy – Dublin 2012
A major project I undertook in 2012 was the IWA’s World Congress on Water, Climate & Energy. This inaugural event took place in Dublin’s Convention Centre and attracted more than 1,000 delegates from 60 countries worldwide. I provided extensive management assistance to the Congress Chair.
Testimonial from Ray Earle:
“Maeve worked with me as a professional and as a valued colleague during the extensive logistical, administrative and technical preparations for the International Water Association (IWA)-Water Climate Energy (WCE) Congress. Maeve’s attention to detail, concise and clear decision notes, measured diplomacy with VIPs, warm welcome to all, sound over-arching judgements and balanced opinions were invaluable at all stages pre, during and post event.”