March 4, 2017

 

Irish seafood agency issues new cost efficiency guide for processors

 

 

The Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), or Irish Sea Fisheries Board, is assisting seafood processors to operate more sustainably with the Resource Efficiency Guide, which was launched at the annual Green Awards 2017 last Feb. 21.

 

The guide contains great "efishiency" tips and case studies based on areas that are particularly relevant to seafood processors namely, including water usage, energy consumption, transport costs and waste management.

 

The information in the guide is based on learnings and best-practice procedures gained by BIM's Green Seafood Business programme team and seafood processors on resource-efficiency projects.

 

By working with them, BIM's Green Seafood Business team said processors can expect to save considerable costs by maximising the efficient and sustainable use of their resources. "With water representing a significant cost for seafood processors, identifying leaks in the factory can save businesses €1,000 per year based on a leak of 1 litre per minute. Energy is the largest overhead cost associated with seafood processing and transport is responsible for the majority of seafood CO2emissions" Ireland's seafood development agency said.

 

It said improving efficiencies in these areas presents a great opportunity to reduce emissions while increasing profit, adding that waste management is often overlooked in seafood processing as a potential area for cost savings.

 

"BIM recognise the importance of innovative reuse and recycling and how it can transform waste into valuable by-products", it said.

 

The programme has already assisted over 30 seafood companies since it began in 2012. One of the programme's participating companies, Castletownbere Fisherman's Co-op, recently won the top accolade "Green Business of the Year" at the Green Awards 2017.

 

To get a free on-site assessment on how sustainably your business is operating, seafood processors can download a Resource Efficiency Assessment (REA) form on www.bim.ieor email Sandra Hennessy or Tomas Cooper on greenseafood@bim.iefor more information.

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