The Future Consumer
Increase recycling in your business with Ireland’s official waste management toolkit
Transform waste management with Ireland’s free toolkit for businesses. Access signage, training and resources to improve recycling and support sustainability.
Arecent waste characterisation study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) underscores the urgency of transforming waste management practices across Ireland. The study revealed that over 70% of waste in general commercial bins could have been placed in recycling or food waste bins. The top offenders — food waste, paper and plastics — highlight a critical area for improvement in commercial waste management.
Recycling toolkit for businesses MyWaste, an official governmentfunded initiative, offers a free and extensive toolkit with signage and training materials to help workforces make accurate recycling decisions. Proper separation of recyclables and food waste ensures that materials are processed correctly, supporting Ireland’s transition to a circular economy.
Representing the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, Kevin Swift, Connacht Ulster Region Waste Office, says: “This initiative will empower small and medium-sized
businesses, particularly those in retail, hospitality, manufacturing and corporate sectors, to further improve how their waste is managed. The clear language and visuals in the materials will enable staff to quickly understand correct waste segregation, significantly boosting the diversion of recyclables and food waste from general bins.”
Free waste management resources
The Commercial Waste toolkit includes free assets such as posters, bin labels, brochures, checklists, training animations and testimonials. These resources are designed to facilitate easy implementation and promote continuous improvement in waste management practices. Tips for maximising recycling effectiveness include visual bin checks, colourcoding bins, strategically placing bins in accessible locations and ongoing workforce education.
Enhanced waste regulations
Further supporting this initiative are the Waste Management (Collection Permit) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023. It includes
the following measures for waste collection companies:
• All waste collection companies are required to provide a residual, mixed dry recyclable and food waste bin to their commercial customers.
• Waste collection companies must ensure that all business customers are placed onto a price plan that ensures that the cost to the customer for mixed dry recyclable or food waste is less than the cost of disposal for municipal waste.
• All waste collected must be weighed, with details on the weights of the individual bins communicated to customers.
• Waste collection companies will be required to at least collect the recyclable waste materials as specified on mywaste.ie.
• Collection of recyclable waste and food waste must occur at least fortnightly.
Together, these measures and the comprehensive toolkit can improve waste segregation, foster environmental sustainability and advance Ireland’s journey towards a more circular economy.
Kevin Swift Regional Coordinator, Connacht Ulster Regional Waste Office
Sponsored by MyWaste
WRITTEN BY
Angelica Hackett O’Toole
Navigating consumer trends: AI recipes, girl dinners and foodie fandom
How the food and beverage industry can nurture healthier choices
The food industry plays an influential role in helping consumers form healthier eating habits. By providing nutritious options and labelling transparency, they can help shape a healthier society.
Fluctuating consumer trends challenge food and drink businesses in guiding their investments. A new tool analyses global qualitative research from over 30,000 sources to monitor consumer behaviour.
Bord Bia has been tracking consumer lifestyle trends for 16 years and, in late January, launched ‘Cultivate’ — a new tool to evaluate behavioural trends in real time. The Bord Bia Cultivate trends report 2023/2024 featured over 10,000 respondents in 10 countries, coupled with an analysis of over 33,000 research reports and case studies. We give a quick snapshot of some of the trends uncovered.
Consumer trend in AI-enabled cooking
People are exploring the role that tech can play in increasing cooking efficiencies and creativity. For instance, they are using generative AI to create recipes and buying AIpowered appliances, such as smart air fryers and smart coffee makers.
Snacking replaces traditional meals
Consumers are replacing mealtimes with snacking for comfort, freedom and flexibility.
The altered social structures and routines emerging in the wake of the pandemic have led to a decline in the three-meals-a-day trope.
Witness the popularity of ‘girl dinners’ (ie. eating a mix of snackable foods for dinner instead of a meal), which speaks to a cultural moment in which people want to treat their foods like playlists they can shuffle through without having to commit to any one flavour, texture or origin.
Increasing need for health customisation
Wellness is increasingly being embraced as a holistic concept that extends into various facets of daily life. As a result, people are actively seeking more personalised options for optimising their health. Health trackers, DNA dieting and increasing experimentation with personalised nutrition means people have a more granular understanding of what foods may or may not benefit them.
Foodie fandoms and sense of community
In 2021, The Guardian dubbed restaurant merch ‘the new band tee’ spurred by a rise in support for local businesses. Dubbed ‘delicore,’ the trend served as a way to signal fandom while supporting small businesses. Fast-forward a few years and it isn’t only the merch people are using to signal status, but the food itself. Specialised, niche or just plain, tasty foods have become a showcase of cultural prowess for Gen Z — as well as a respite from a stressful world and a way to find community.
At Danone, our mission is to ‘bring health through food to as many people as possible.’ We recognise our responsibility as a food and beverage company to help consumers adopt healthier eating habits, which is why, over the past two decades, we have made a conscious decision to prioritise healthy products across our portfolio.
Prioritising healthy, nutritious food and beverages
With obesity levels rising nationwide, healthy and nutritious food should become more accessible to consumers. In recent years, Danone has worked hard to innovate and develop products that can contribute to a healthy diet.
In 2023, Danone UK and Ireland launched health commitments across our dairy, plant-based and beverages portfolios, committing that at least 90% of our product portfolio by sales volume will not be high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) and promising never to produce a HFSS product for children.
A healthy diet often goes hand-inhand with an active lifestyle. That’s why we launched GetPRO, a range of high-protein puddings, yoghurts, mousses and drinks.
Transparent information to encourage healthy choices
Consumers need access to clear, consistent nutritional guidance and information. The food and beverage industry should make a determined effort to help people understand what constitutes a healthy diet. We must provide transparent information regarding the nutritional value of food and beverages on labels and company websites, allowing consumers to make
informed decisions.
The Government also has a role to play in helping consumers assess the nutritional value of food and beverages on supermarket shelves. They should enhance measures around mandatory food labelling to ensure nutritional information is more visible and accessible.
Collective effort to drive meaningful change
To encourage consumers to adopt healthier choices, a collaborative approach is needed, with food manufacturers, business leaders and government entities working together to shape food information policies and improve healthy eating guidelines.
Positive steps have been taken to drive change, with the development of resources such as the HSE’s Healthy Eating Guidelines, which outlines specific actions and guidelines to inspire healthy eating, is a welcome addition. Such frameworks can serve as a blueprint for manufacturers, helping us work towards creating foods suited to healthy diets.
We are eager to build on our current health commitments and go beyond regulatory standards to promote healthier eating and drinking choices amongst consumers in Ireland. We must empower them to make healthier choices by making transparent nutrition information readily available.
O’Toole | Head of Digital Operations: Harvey O’Donnell Paid Media Manager: Jonni Asfaha Social & Web Editor: Henry Phillips All images supplied by Getty Images, unless otherwise specified
Grace Binchy Trends and Insight Specialist, Bord Bia
Killian Barry Country Director, Danone Ireland
GetPRO is the official protein partner of Dublin GAA. Find out more at danone.ie
SCAN ME TO LEARN MORE
Sponsored by Danone Ireland
Championing support for homegrown producers this Food and Drink Month
This June, Food and Drink Month showcases a variety of food-focused activities — including events, podcasts and promotions — to spotlight the diverse offerings of Irish food and drink producers.
Recent research conducted by SuperValu in collaboration with Guaranteed Irish revealed compelling insights into consumer preferences.
Supporting locally made products
An overwhelming 99% of shoppers actively seek out Irish-made products, with 83% more likely to purchase items displaying the distinctive Guaranteed Irish ‘G’ symbol. Participants cited numerous benefits of buying Irish, ranging from supporting the national economy and local jobs to enjoying fresher produce and reducing carbon emissions associated with transportation. Platforms such as GuaranteedIrishGifts.ie play a vital role in promoting locally-based businesses, providing consumers with an ‘All Together Better’ choice that supports sustainable economies and communities.
Transparency through clear labelling
step towards circularity in packaging. The scheme incentivises consumers to return used containers for recycling, with initial uptake indicating a shift towards more environmentally conscious behaviours even if it will take time to change attitudes. As consumer awareness of sustainability grows, businesses offering sustainable packaging alternatives stand to gain a competitive edge.
Balancing cost and sustainability
An overwhelming 99% of shoppers actively seek out Irish-made products.
With 71% of Irish consumers saying that buying more sustainably-produced products will become more important in the next three years (Bord Bia), there’s a clear demand for transparency in product labelling. Consumers seek detailed information, including the exact production location and the sourcing origins of ingredients. Clearer labelling not only empowers consumers to make informed choices but also encourages support for Irish products.
Towards sustainable packaging
Ireland’s recent introduction of a deposit return scheme for drinks containers signals a significant
Amidst ongoing concerns about the cost of living, price remains a key influencer for consumers. While sustainability is increasingly valued, communicating the value proposition effectively is essential for driving behavioural change.
Emphasising the long-term benefits of sustainable practices can help shift consumer perceptions and encourage support for environmentally friendly options.
As Food and Drink Month unfolds, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the evolving trends shaping Irish consumer behaviour. By embracing local initiatives, promoting transparency and prioritising sustainability, businesses can futureproof their offering, align with consumer preferences and contribute to a more resilient and vibrant economy.
How industry partnerships can drive change across communities
Partnerships with organisations, charities and other non-governmental organisations across Ireland are making a difference through food for people and pets.
All communities should have the tools and resources necessary to help their neighbours thrive. However, in the current climate, this isn’t always possible. Over the past few years at Nestlé Ireland, we’ve made it our mission to forge new relationships and show our support for community organisations, charities and non-governmental organisations across the country.
Partnerships and ethical responsibility
Our partnerships with these organisations play a huge role in helping us to have a more positive and meaningful impact. This year, our teams are embarking on strategic and valuable approaches with partners including the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), Dublin Simon and Paralympics Ireland. For instance, we have delivered more than 4 million cups of coffee to Dublin Simon and hundreds of thousands of pet food meals to the DSPCA. We’re also conscious of our ethical responsibility to ensure no good food goes to waste, particularly today with food insecurity at an all-time high. Since 2018, Nestlé Ireland has been the only food supplier to donate all its surplus food to FoodCloud while also making a financial contribution per pallet. FoodCloud ensures food supplies are provided to the most vulnerable members of society, with the equivalent of more than 250,000 meals going to those in need since our partnership began.
Dedication to community growth
Community work should also extend beyond the core operations of our business model in Ireland, so we have ensured our employees have time to dedicate to volunteer to local causes. Each year, Nestlé Ireland partners with An Taisce’s Clean Coasts programme to look after the environment on our coastlines by organising beach clean-ups around the country.
All our community efforts are connected to being a business that is a force for good. In our position as a leading food and beverage company, we are committed to making a real positive difference every day — for people, pets, communities and the planet.
Clémence Jamet Head of Operations & Sustainability, Guaranteed Irish
Sponsored by Nestlé Ireland
Kieran Conroy, Country Manager, Nestlé Ireland
How food can bring us together for a more sustainable future
Help drive sustainability forward. With robust targets to reduce emissions and through regenerative practices, we can reshape the food industry’s impact on climate.
At Nestlé, we champion being a force for good by collaborating with suppliers to promote sustainability through income initiatives, fostering the resilience of the food chain via regenerative agriculture and establishing ambitious environmental goals throughout our global supply network.
Driving sustainable food industry change
Our industry comes under as much scrutiny as any other, given it contributes a third of all humancaused greenhouse gas emissions . That’s why the onus is on us to drive change. We’ve introduced robust targets to reduce emissions, and we’re using 100% renewable energy across our sites in Ireland, as well as innovating with more sustainable packaging.
We’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made so far, but we know it’s an ongoing journey. We’re acutely aware that it’s one we can’t take alone. If we’re going to make a real difference, it’s imperative that businesses across the industry work together.
Responsible sourcing and regenerative agriculture
Sponsored by Nestlé Ireland
Matt Ryan, Regeneration Lead at Nestlé UK and Ireland, says: “Scope 3 emissions are increasingly becoming part of conversations for businesses as we take greater responsibility for processes or actions that we don’t necessarily carry out ourselves, like sourcing and transporting raw ingredients used in our products.”
More than 70% of our carbon footprint comes from sourcing
ingredients from farmers, so this is a focus area for us. That is why we are trying to do things differently through our work with farmers in Ireland. One way is by helping farmers implement regenerative agricultural practices.
We support and incentivise a holistic approach to farming that focuses on improving soil health, biodiversity and improving ecosystem functions — in harmony with high-quality food production. As a business, we have committed to sourcing 20% of ingredients through regenerative practices by 2025 and 50% by 2030.
Supporting farmers, improving livelihoods
We aim not just to protect the natural world but help farmers build resilient livelihoods by ensuring their land is fit for the future. Furthermore, we’re committed to supporting the next generation of farming communities, such as through initiatives to identify, nurture and develop new farming talent.
Our Income Accelerator Programme seeks to close the living income gap of cocoa-farming families and reduce child labour risk. To date, this programme is driving huge success. We have seen a 38% increase in net income by income accelerator communities, a 10% increase in child enrolment rates at school, a 55% increase in household investments and greater income diversification and improved financial access.
Over 10,000 families in Côte d’Ivoire have benefited from this programme so far. It will expand to Ghana this year, rising to 30,000 families. By 2030, the programme
If we’re going to make a real difference, it’s imperative that businesses across the industry work together.
aims to reach an estimated 160,000 cocoa-farming families in Nestlé’s global cocoa supply chain to create an impact at scale.
Engaging consumers in sustainability
Moreover, we must ensure our consumers are engaged in our sustainability journey and can play their role. It’s important to share positive stories about the work we’re doing and highlight the choices shoppers can actively make to help drive progress.
We highlight our dairy farmer partnerships in videos showcasing milk origins, regenerative farming significance and farm-friendly practices. Plus, we enable consumers to take immediate action by highlighting whether packaging is recyclable and promoting our packaging changes across our beloved brands.
Empowering consumers for collective impact
The challenges of addressing the climate crisis can feel daunting, leaving us disheartened and even powerless. That’s why we must remind people that the simple steps we take can add up to make a significant difference. By choosing brands committed to sustainability, consumers drive meaningful progress at scale.
Business collaboration can encourage consumers to make sustainable choices — by offering them sustainable products to choose from and by reminding them that their decisions have an impact.
Kieran Conroy Country Manager, Nestlé Ireland
Matt Ryan Regeneration Lead, Nestlé UK and Ireland