Calling Ireland’s Circular Economy Innovators – 10th Green Alley Award Open for Entries

In 2014, the first Green Alley Award was started with the vision to invest and innovate for the future. Now, as a decade unfolds, the Green Alley Award is once again in search of circular economy startups in the fields of recycling, waste prevention and digital solutions. Six entries from across Europe will be shortlisted with the winning startup receiving €25,000 at an awards ceremony in Berlin on the 25thApril, 2024. 

The Green Alley Award is looking for companies that are about to launch their products or services, are already in the growth phase, or want to expand into other European markets. The sole condition is that the business idea must help reduce waste or turn waste into resources. 

The impact of the Green Alley Award has been truly significant and has created a community of circular economy innovators including 1,600 applicants from over 30 countries. With over €1.3 million investment made directly with startups, the Awards have actively nurtured entrepreneurs while also connected them with an extensive network of circular economy experts. Notably in recent years, within this diverse pool of applicants, 40% are female founders. 

Martin Tobin, CEO of ERP Ireland and Green Alley Award judge commented, “Facing difficult challenges posed by climate change, environmental pollution, and resource scarcity, the circular economy emerges as an important solution. 

Ireland is a hot bed of innovation and creativity and its time we showcased our circular economy entrepreneurial spirit on the European stage.  The Green Alley Award is incredibly competitive but over the years it has connected a community of like-minded green entrepreneurs and investors to drive innovation that benefits everyone.  As the Green Alley Award celebrates its 10th year, we would encourage all Irish startups that drive change and push boundaries in the circular economy space to enter the Awards and lead the way towards a more sustainable future.” 

Entries to the Green Alley Award can be made via https://green-alley-award.com/ with the submission deadline of 20th November 2023. 

About ERP Ireland

The European Recycling Platform DAC (ERP) is the first compliance scheme authorised to operate in different countries since 2002, in response to the first European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

Our mission is to help members manage their responsibilities efficiently and globally with regard to WEEE, batteries, and packaging recycling – all supported by our unique data services.  ERP Ireland was established in 2005 providing WEEE and Waste Battery compliance and a B2B service to members. For more information, visit www.erp-recycling.ie

Since 2014, the following Irish startups have made it to the Green Alley finals:

• Votechnik in 2015, with a patented solution for safely removing the toxic elements from LCD televisions in an automated process to facilitate the work of electronic waste recyclers;
• Mimergy in 2017, with a solution for waste rubber recycling, with a specific focus on production of renewable chemicals and biofuels.
• EDAC reached the Top 20 in 2022, with their environmental compliance software to help various industries to track, log and manage their environmental compliance assets with a fully customizable cloud-based dashboard.

About Green Alley Award

The Green Alley Award is Europe’s only startup prize specifically for the circular economy. The mission is to turn the linear into a circular economy and transform the waste and recycling industry as we know it today. The annual European prize was created in 2014 by Landbell Group, the leading supplier of global environmental services, along with Germany’s crowdfunding pioneer, Seedmatch.

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