Our Journey

Tirlán has set defined environmental, on-farm and community targets under its Living Proof strategy. We have made significant progress within our business since its inception.

We continue to work in close partnerships with researchers, government agencies and independent consultants that support the delivery of our Living Proof programmes and initiaitves.

We are working in partnership to develop and embrace new technologies, to help us achieve our sustainability goals and support the delivery of the targets and actions set out in Living Proof.

Family Farm Sustainability Initiatives

100% of Tirlán dairy suppliers are certified under the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS). Certification is a mandatory requirement of Tirlán's Milk Purchasing Policy.
In 2025, 2,585 farm engagements for Agricultural Sustainability and water quality planning have taken place since 2019 through programmes such as the 'Farming for Water: River Slaney Project', EIP and ASSAP programmes.
The FarmGen Programme provides solar PV solutions to participating farmer Members to support reduced purchased electricity use and energy costs, and to help improve on-farm energy efficiency.
Ireland's first Sustainable Farm Academy, developed to support farm families in implementing environmental practices through education and training.
Our Sustainable Action Payment programme in place since 2021. Rooted in science and aligned with the Teagasc MACC curve, the programme sets out to assist dairy suppliers continue to enhance the environmental and economic sustainability of their family farms. The Sustainability Action Payment programme incentivises participating dairy suppliers to implement specified actions relating to carbon reduction, water, biodiversity, animal health and farm efficiency.
Tirlán Milk Solids Growth Programme offers key features such as real-time tracking of milk solids, access to dedicated Milk Solids Growth Specialists and in-depth milk data analysis to identify areas for improvement and boost herd productivity.

Biodiversity

As part of Tirlán’s Operation Biodiversity programme, Tirlán offers native tree saplings and hedgerows for sale through its Tirlán FarmLife branches at cost for members to purchase and plant.
Planting of native trees and hedgerows by Tirlán members can support biodiveristy through the provision of habitats on farm. Native trees and hedgerows can also store carbon, with outcomes depending on species, establishment, management and local conditions.
Under Operation Biodiversity, Tirlán achieved its target of supplying 650,000 native trees and hedging through its agri-retail stores since 2020, ahead of the 2030 target date.

Animal Health and Welfare

At Tirlán, we believe that caring for animals with respect and integrity supports animal health and forms an important part of quality milk production and the long-term viability of farming businesses.
Animal Care is an integral component of Tirlán’s approach to best practice dairy farming and part of our continuous improvement objective through the Living Proof Sustainability Strategy.
To further support our animal health and welfare requirements, every Tirlán milk supplying farm is certified under Bord Bia’s Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS), which includes rigorous requirements around animal health and welfare based on the The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) guidelines, built around the internationally accepted 5 Freedoms framework.

Packaging

Tirlán has progressed a range of targeted initiatives to increase packaging recyclability, reduce virgin fossil-based plastic, and minimise food waste.
Across 2025 and 2026, we continue to advance preparations for the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which sets various requirements on packaging placed on the EU market and on packaging waste prevention and management out to 2030 and beyond.
By year-end 2025, 89% of Tirlán's consumer-facing food packaging was designed to be recyclable.
To comply, all packaging used across Tirlán must meet essential requirements related to its manufacturing, composition, and reusable or recoverable nature.
In addition, there has been a 19% reduction in plastic usage in consumer-facing food products since 2018. This represents a 4% over-achievement against our 2025 target of a 15% reduction in plastic usage by 2025 for our consumer facing food brands.

Charity Partnership and Fundraising

Tirlán and its employees chose Aware as their charity partner, with a commitment to deliver supports to benefit over 16,000 people by 2027 through our €240,000 multi-annual partnership.
Tirlán has a long and proud history of fundraising and community engagement through partnerships, sponsorship, charitable activities and local initiatives. 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 just over €400,000. In 2026, the Tirlán Mountain Challenge succeeded in raising €20,000 for Aware.
The Avonmore brand has appeared on Kilkenny GAA jerseys since 1994, with Tirlán Co-operative added in 2024. Together, they represent one of the longest-standing and most recognisable partnerships in the GAA.
Tirlán also provides financial support to agricultural shows and food festivals, such as Savour Kilkenny and the West Waterford Festival of Food as well as many local agri shows. Beyond agriculture, Tirlán provides direct corporate donations and product support to a wide range of charitable, sporting, food and community organisations, both locally and nationally, reinforcing our commitment to the communities in which we live and work.

Energy Sustainability Initiatives

All manufacturing sites certified to ISO14001 (Environment Management System).
All Ingredient manufacturing sites certified to ISO5001 (Energy Management System).
Green purchase agreement in place with SSE resulting in 100% green electricity across our sites.
In 2026, Tirlán announced the successful commissioning of its new on‑site solar farm at its multi‑purpose integrated dairy processing facility in Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny, marking a major milestone in the Co‑op’s transition to renewable energy and lower‑carbon manufacturing. The 6.5‑hectare, 8 MWp ground‑mounted solar farm is a behind‑the‑meter, self‑generation project, meaning all electricity produced is consumed directly on site at the Ballyragget facility.
The solar farm is expected to generate approximately 7.6 GWh of clean, renewable electricity annually, meeting around 34% of the site’s imported electricity demand and significantly reducing reliance on grid power.
Energy efficiency measures implemented on our sites such as improved insulation, high-efficiency HVAC systems, LED lighting and lighting timers.

Research Partners

Tirlán partners with a number of programmes and initiatives intended to support delivery of its commitments under the Living Proof Sustainability Strategy.