Residents of An Sean Dún Estate in Ennis turned out in force earlier this week to officially launch a sustainability pack for all households in the estate.
The eco-friendly initiative has been developed by residents in an effort to encourage householders to make small changes that deliver cost savings as well as help the environment.
The sustainability pack consists of an energy monitor to encourage people to minimise energy use, a reusable shopping bag to cut down on plastic bag usage, pasta/rice measures and fruit/vegetable savers to help reduce food waste, a roll of radiator reflector foil to prevent energy wastage and water displacement devices to reduce water usage.
Councillor Mary Howard, deputising as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, commended the residents for their efforts.
“I am delighted to formally launch the sustainability pack for this proactive community group. They are certainly community leaders and are showing us all how we can reduce our environmental footprint. It is important that we acknowledge the work that has been done so far, and to encourage residents to continue this wonderful work,” she said.
Resident Cormac McCarthy who has been central to this project getting off the ground.
He commented, “Education is key and we hope by undertaking this project that we will raise awareness throughout the estate, not only on how to protect the environment but also how to save money, in particular with water charges down the line.”
“When residents of An Sean Dún Estate use the sustainability pack, it is estimated that both the environmental and financial savings could be significant across all homes. which we have planted 682,500kg of waste CO2 will be Based on the Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer, Clare County Council stated, “This is an innovative environmental project, and one which I hope will be taken up by other communities around the county. Residents are monitoring their food waste, as water and energy consumption with a view to reducing them. The results will be very interesting. It is hoped to develop short videos and illustrations that will help others to do likewise.”
The project has benefited from Local Agenda 21 funding from Clare County Council and the Department of Community, Environment and Local Government.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.