Panda wins top Irish environmental award

Panda, a waste management and recycling company, secured the Overall Repak Resource Award at Ireland’s National Environmental Awards. The firm defeated An Post and IFF Plastics to claim the top honor. The ceremony took place on Friday, October 23, at the Mansion House in Dublin.

Jury members recognized Panda for its work in environmental education and for changing how households handle recycling. A central part of the company’s strategy is the Cleaner Bin Imaging Service. This pilot project uses cameras mounted on collection trucks to photograph the contents of household recycling bins as they are emptied.

When the cameras detect misplaced items or contamination, the system sends a specific report to the customer. The report identifies the error and provides tips for sorting waste correctly. Panda stated that the pilot reduced recycling contamination rates among participating households from 50 percent to 5 percent. This shift has increased the volume of waste that can be effectively processed.

The award also acknowledged the company’s infrastructure investments. Panda operates a purpose-built facility that processes up to 120,000 tonnes of incinerator bottom ash each year. The company also built a recovery line at Millennium Park with a value of 5 million euros. That line is designed to extract valuable materials from mixed waste streams.

An Post, the national postal service, finished as a runner-up after winning the Sustainability Team of the Year category. The company maintained zero waste to landfill for an eighth consecutive year. It also raised its recycling rates to 88 percent. These achievements were part of its community-focused environmental initiatives.

IFF Plastics, based in Clare, was the other finalist for the overall prize. The company won the Business Recycling Champion award sponsored by WEEE Ireland. IFF Plastics recovers agricultural plastics, including fertiliser bags, pit covers, and farm sheeting. It transforms these materials into fencing posts, rails, and cattle grids.

The company has expanded its processing capacity since 2019. It now handles more than 1,000 tonnes of plastic per year, up from 50 tonnes. IFF Plastics also installed solar panels and implemented rainwater recovery systems to support its operations.

Thirteen category awards were presented during the event. Zoe Kavanagh, the CEO of Repak, said the entries showed high quality and practical approaches to waste prevention. Leaders from business, environmental, and community sectors attended the gathering in Dublin.