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Project title

Sustainable design, manufacture, use and recycling of plastic mussel floats and fence posts

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

JFC Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

Lead Applicant

John Concannon

Project Abstract

Goals Benefits G Eco-Design training for design staff and CGPP principles training for all staff; B Engineers apply Eco-design principles to all future designs. G Introduce equipment to clean and reprocess waste packaging into Ireland if viable; B This would enable JFC to reprocess waste plastic including bottles for second use. G Plastic Fence Post: Reduce the environmental impact of a fence post by designing and manufacturing it from recycled packaging material; B This has the effect of diverting waste from landfill and will generate a second market for recycled plastics. As recycled waste plastic becomes the raw material virgin material requirements are reduced significantly. G Mussel floats: To provide closed loop take-back recycling and re-supply of mussel floats; B Mussel floats currently in the market are visually offensive. JFC would take these floats and recycle them when given a contract to replace them with the superior float being designed to include a percentage recycled plastic. G Process Efficiency: To improve the overall efficiency of the moulding process using recycled materials by ten percent B The benefit of improved efficiency is increased output and profitability. There is a labour and energy saving achieved if more parts are manufacturing using the same level of overhead. G Transport Efficiency: Investigate and implement methods to maximise the efficiency of transport associated with collection recycling reprocessing and distribution of the new product; B With fuel prices and green house gases rising every avenue should be explored to improve the efficiency of transportation especially with the volume of air being transported with plastic products. G Environmental Awareness: Increase the awareness of local young people of the importance of Eco-Design and recycling. B It is vital to educate our children on the importance of recycling and sustainable development.Page 89 of 137June 2007EPA Funded Research: Environmental Technologies and Cleaner ProductionPromotion of results will be undertaken in the following ways:Partake in EPA dissemination events;Host event at our facility to demonstrate the project;Commission a CD for Schools of CGPP project to embed environmental consciousness at an early age;Publish articles in local press;Put CGPP page on our website andTrade exhibitions.

Grant Approved

�58,948.08

Research Hub

Cleaner Production - Green Enterprise - Innovation and Demonstration

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

n/a

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a