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Project title

Establish a pallet exchange matching service for wanted and unwanted pallets and be a source for industry best practice in packaging for transportation

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Supply Network Shannon (SNS)

Lead Applicant

Dick Whelan

Project Abstract

The original aim of the Pallet Exchange was to establish a pallet exchange matching service for wanted and unwanted pallets and be a source for industry best practice in packaging for transportation. The first task for project management to complete in The Pallet Exchange was to complete an inventory of pallets available for exchange within the region. There was significant interest in the project but it proved operationally difficult to implement due to a number of factors. Namely the success of the project depended on companies giving regular update of their pallet inventory type and condition and the level of response from companies to the first circulation of the survey was less than anticipated To rectify this low response all companies were re-contacted by telephone and the survey was re-sent by post email or fax as requested. Seondly after a number of network events it was found the companies who were introduced during network events found it easier to make exchanges directly. As a result of this the revised Waste and Energy Minimisation Project which innovatively used a network approach was developed in consultation with the Cleaner Greener Production Programme project team. The new programme aimed to: 1.Audit a number of SMEs in the Mid-West with the aim of reducing their waste and energy streams. See Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 for Waste and Energy Checklists. 2. Initiate a pattern of materials exchange and waste minimisation in the Mid-West of Ireland amongst participating businesses 3. Generate a report for each company outlining the opportunities they have for cleaner greener production. See Appendix 4 for sample report.

Grant Approved

�59,536.80

Research Hub

Cleaner Production - Green Enterprise - Innovation and Demonstration

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

n/a

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a