The Killarney Park & The Ross were awarded the prestigious Overall Pakman Award at Repak’s recent Pakman Awards which celebrate Ireland’s recycling and waste management champions. The Overall Pakman Award was bestowed in recognition of sustainable efforts within the hotels themselves, in addition to their work on the Killarney Coffee Cup Project – which also picked up the Environmental Education & Awareness Initiative award.

The Killarney Coffee Cup Project, which launched earlier this year, aims to promote a transition to a circular economy in Killarney. It is a grassroots project set up by The Killarney Park and The Ross, with the goal of specifically eliminating single use coffee cups from Killarney town centre and educating locals and visitors on reusable items.

The decision to move to a reusable takeaway system was taken following an agreement by 25 local independent coffee shops and 21 hotels – the project now includes over 50 businesses. The project will remove over 1 million single use coffee cups from becoming landfill or litter in the community each year and aims to change behaviours and attitudes towards single use items. The Killarney Coffee Cup project primarily promotes the use of consumers’ own reusable cups through local, national, and international communications.

Louise Byrne, Sustainability Manager for The Killarney Park and The Ross and one of the main drivers of the project said, “It was fantastic to get recognition for the hotel’s work and of course for the Killarney Coffee Cup Project at the Pakman Awards which are the Oscars in the sustainability world! However it must be said that the Killarney Coffee Cup project was not possible without the Killarney businesses wanting to be part of this change and they have lead the way for all towns in Ireland to be single use coffee cup free.”

Speaking at the 2023 Pakman Awards, Séamus Clancy, CEO of Repak said: “Each year, we continue to be inspired by the phenomenal efforts of those making a positive impact in waste management and mitigation procedures. Now, more than ever, it is important to champion sustainability, and tonight, our winners have truly shown us that the future is bright.

“The standard of this year’s entries was not only exceptional but serves as inspiration for others in how to deliver exemplary environmental practices. I would like to thank our sponsors, congratulate all the winners and finalists and extend a special congratulations to The Killarney Park & The Ross, the winner of the 2023 Overall Pakman Award.”

Visit The Killarney Park’s website