Encirc told they ‘lead the way’ on sustainability as new walkway officially opens in Derrylin

The opening of the looped walkway at Encirc’s Derrylin plant is a further indication of the company’s commitment to create a great place to work for their staff whilst continuing a path towards decarbonisation that includes challenging everyone to look at the best way to protect the planet.

On Thursday, the new 560m looped walkway from the entrance gate and back at the rear of the factory was officially opened by Kieran Harding, Managing Director of Business in the Community NI who told invited guests and staff members that Encirc “leads the way” when it comes to their wide-ranging sustainability strategy.

Business in the Community is significant as the project was inspired and created in tandem with BITC’s Biodiversity Charter. Biodiversity plays a large role at Encirc and is part of a wide-ranging sustainability strategy at the company which is about much more than decarbonising the production of glass bottles.

Encirc’s Sustainability Director Fiacre O’Donnell commented: “This is a proud day for us all at Encirc. This walkway will be a haven for biodiversity and is an incredible space for all our staff to come out and enjoy some time away from their workstations.

“We have a wildlife camera and already we have seen a pine marten, moorhens, hares, different types of birds, a fox and a badger. That is simply tremendous in the shadows of an industrial factory that is bringing employment to almost 500 people.”

Fiacre added: “We also have a commitment to provide the best working environment for our people and when you add this walkway to facilities such as our gym that are already in place, then you can see that this is a something that we are serious about.

“Importantly too, this was created by our staff, led by Theresa Clarke and our Biodiversity Committee which has almost 50 people on it. This committee is determined to deliver projects that improve our natural habitat and change the way we think on issues such as protecting the planet we live on. I thank them all for the wonderful work they have done on this project and many others including the extensive work with our local schools. Thanks finally to BITC, Ulster Wildlife and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council whose expertise and guidance have been crucial to us all at Encirc for many years now.”

Kieran Harding commented: “One thing that has become apparent to us as at BITC and that is that two years ago Encirc won Company of the Year and they have held it for two years. Encirc are leaders in all of this, whether it is diversity, inclusion, environmental responsibility or community engagement and all the things that go together to make sustainability, Encirc leads the way.

“It is a privilege to be here and well done to all your staff and volunteers. I wish you well with the project and I want to thank you from all at BITC.”

Work on the walkway commenced in January 2023 with the Biodiversity Committee utilising rebates they made by improving their onsite recycling to fund the initial work.

Under guidance from Ulster Wildlife, a pathway was cleared and trees at end of life were removed to let more light into the area and to enhance biodiversity.

St. Aidan’s High School came out and helped to lay sheep’s wool on the paths as Encirc moved away from unsustainable plastic materials, using instead the sheep’s wool layered with stones. Moreover, when Mannok resurfaced the main driveway up to the factory, the old driveway was dug up and crushed down to create the pathway around the walkway, indicative of the company’s sustainability ethos and promotion of a circular economy.

In Spring of this year, grass seed was sown on the flat area and wildflowers seeds were sown in other areas. Two old containers that were no longer needed due to improved recycling were then put in position which can be used to host schools, outdoor meetings, workshops and, of course, provide some shelter!

A reflection area was also created, a quiet space where staff can go to remember loved ones, former colleagues or simply for a little time on their own with employee Robert Graham creating an imaginative symbol of hope, peace and freedom.

Seating and bird boxes were sourced from local Men’s Shed groups as the area started to really come together and the walkway was opened for staff in July to a positive reaction.

All in all, a tremendous project encapsulating so much about the values upon which Encirc, part of the Vidrala Group, builds it business,