Soltec named overall winner at 2024 Pakman Awards
Clonmore based company Soltec (Ireland) Ltd has been named as the overall winner of the 2024 Pakman Awards for its exceptional efforts in improving Ireland’s waste recycling rates.
The group also received the Waste Recycling and Recovery Facility award in recognition of its commitment to advancing waste management practices in support of a circular economy.
Soltec specialises in providing innovative waste management and recycling, particularly in hazardous waste, to help businesses minimise their environmental impact.
In 2023, Soltec achieved an exceptional 91% overall waste recovery rate, diverting materials from general waste and saving 5,333 tonnes of carbon emissions through liquid recovered fuel, along with 1,479 tonnes by replacing virgin solvents with recovered solvents.
Over the last two years, Soltec has expanded its hazardous waste treatment capacity from 5,000 tonnes in 2019 to 20,000 tonnes in 2021, growth of 300%.
Pakman judges praised Soltec’s pioneering advancements in technology and infrastructure.
Repak’s Pakman Awards are held annually and celebrate Ireland’s recycling and waste management champions who lead the way in their commitments to sustainability and the environment.
Winning a Pakman Award is one of the highest accolades an organisation, company, community group or individual can receive for their environmental and waste management efforts.
All category winners on the night were automatically put forward for the Overall Pakman Award.
Other winners included:
Aldi Ireland: Winner of the Plastic Pledge Award for becoming the first major Irish retailer to introduce fully recyclable milk bottle caps, leading to the reuse of 70 tonnes of plastic.
WeCan: Awarded Best Deposit Return Initiative
Eco-Friendly Cups Ireland: Winner of Best Single Use Plastic Initiative
Dennis Spiegel, Lidl Ireland: Winner of the ESG Leader award for outstanding leadership in environmental management and corporate responsibility.
Dawn Farm Foods Ltd: Winner of the Waste Prevention Award.
NR Rubber Products: Recognised as Tyre Champion.
Green Generation: Winner of Best Innovation in Waste Resource Products or Services.
Ossian Smyth, Minister of State for Communications and Circular Economy, congratulated the winners: “The 2024 Pakman Awards showcase the achievements of individuals, businesses, and communities working to create a more sustainable future. These awards inspire all of us to take part in Ireland’s transition to a circular economy.”
Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of Repak, praised the winners and emphasised the Westmeath contributions to environmental sustainability at the Pakman Awards: “This year’s entries were some of the most innovative an we’ve seen. Westmeath-based companies like Soltec (Ireland) Ltd are setting an outstanding example and leading the way toward a more sustainable future. Their success is a testament to the county’s commitment to environmental innovation and resourcefulness”
Also at this year’s awards, the Irish Cancer Society and community organisations, FoodCloud received a €1,000 donation each. Charities were nominated by attendees and pulled from a charity draw on the night.
The 2024, 10th annual Pakman Awards were sponsored by AMCS, Circol ELT, Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Enviroguide Consulting, Environmental Protection Agency, European Recycling Platform, Irish Waste Management Association, Panda, Producer Register Limited, Repak, Re-turn and WEEE Ireland.
More information can be found at Pakman Awards on Facebook, @PakmanAwards on LinkedIn, and pakmanawards.repak.ie.