Dun Laoghaire Marina, Ireland’s largest coastal marina, has been awarded '€coMerit' Environmental Certification by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Ossian Smyth, Ms Aileen Eglington, President of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber, and Dr Shane Colgan, Manager Resource Efficiency Unit, the Environmental Protection Agency, following approval by a steering committee comprising Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the Regional Waste Management Offices and environmental consultancy, Econcertive and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Certificate is valid for three years subject to annual surveillance of the Marina’s commitment to continuous environmental improvement in line with the requirements of the €coMerit Programme.
An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Ossian Smyth commented: "It is a great privilege to award the €coMerit Environmental Certification to Dun Laoghaire Marina, the first marina in the country to achieve this certification and a company which has committed to thirty-one specific actions to reduce the environmental impact of its operations in Dun Laoghaire Harbour by 2020”
Dun Laoghaire Marina’s environmental improvement plans include upgrading CFL lights with LED alternatives and fitting motion sensors to improve energy efficiency, improving waste segregation for recycling, investigating ways to conserve water and the installation of solar panels to generate electricity.
"As Ireland’s largest coastal marina, we have a strong focus on our environmental impact"
On receiving the EcoMerit Certification, Paal Janson, General Manager, Dun Laoghaire Marina said: “At Dun Laoghaire Marina, sustainability is one of our core values. As Ireland’s largest coastal marina, we have a strong focus on our environmental impact, and we are committed to continuously improving our performance in a measurable way. We are delighted to receive this €coMerit Certification, and we are looking forward to using the programme to help us meet our environmental improvement goals.”