Taoiseach urges Galway companies to SMILE!

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has invited companies across Galway 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 1000 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,” he said.

“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.”

Since its inception, SMILE has been instrumental in linking up Irish businesses to make financial savings while reducing waste destined for landfill and developing new business opportunities. In October 2013, SMILE welcomed its 1000th member and through its national launch, aims to attract and foster new business relationships on a wider scale throughout the country.

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.