Our Journey
Tirlán is committed to a sustainable, viable future for all. We have made significant changes and improvements within our business. We continue to work in partnership with our farmers, our suppliers, our customers and our communities to achieve much more.
With this in mind, we have established very strong working relationships with researchers, with government and other agencies and with independent consultants. We are expanding our skills base. We are working in partnership to develop and embrace new technologies, to help us achieve our sustainability goals and deliver on our Living Proof promise.
Family Farm Sustainability Initiatives
- 98% of dairy suppliers certified under the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS).
- 96% participation in the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) which provides advice to farmers on addressing water quality issues.
- 100% finance available under the FarmGen solar energy farm initiative through the existing Tirlán FundEquip Scheme.
- Twenty20 Beef Club wins coveted European Award for Cooperative Innovation in the international competition organised by Cogeca.
- Ireland’s first Sustainable Farm Academy developed to support farm families’ positive environmental actions through education.
- Sustainable Action Payment launched as part of a three-year programme to assist dairy suppliers continue to enhance the environmental and economic sustainability of their family farms.
Biodiversity
Operation Biodiversity
- 100,000 native trees and hedgerows achieved in 2021, 12 months ahead of schedule.
Operation PolliNation
- 1,600 members of the public signed up to the Pollinator Pledge.
- 2,500 packs of wildflower seeds were distributed free of charge.
Operation WildNation
- Over 1,200 entries received in the Colour Me Wild inter-schools colouring competition from pupils nation-wide.
Animal Health and Welfare
Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World certification is in place for our farms that supply milk for our Truly Grass Fed range.
Packaging
Our leading dairy brand, Avonmore has moved 12 million 1.75 litre cartons from fossil fuel plastics to plant-based plastics.
Our switch to paper straws on our milk supplies, saves 2.7 tonnes of plastic per annum or the equivalent weight of two average-sized cars.
Our new Tetra Top® cartons for our Avonmore Fresh Cream range will deliver savings of up to 40 tonnes of plastic a year.
- Tirlán and its employees have chosen Aware as their charity partner in 2024.
- The annual 'Tour de Tirlán' has evolved over the past 11 years, and since its inception, the total funds raised from this annual event to date stands at €401,000.
- Tirlán has a long and proud history and tradition of fundraising, supporting local communities and assisting in many worthy causes and the organisers have set a €40,000 fundraising target for this year’s Tirlán Mountain Challenge event.
- In 2024, Tirlán begun its first season as proud sponsor of Kilkenny GAA.
- Tirlán also provides significant financial commitment to agricultural shows and food festivals, such as Savour Kilkenny and the West Waterford Festival of Food.
Energy Sustainability Initiatives
- 100% of manufacturing sites certified to ISO14001 (Environment Management System).
- 100% of ingredient manufacturing sites certified to ISO5001 (Energy Management System).
- 100% green electricity consumption at manufacturing sites.
- Have cut carbon emissions from operations by 45% since 2000.
Research Partners
Tirlán is partnering with a number of sustainability programmes and initiatives seeking to address the sustainability challenges facing our business today to ensure we achieve our commitments to farming, food and the future.
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