Wholesome Kitchen, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
Capcon Engineering, Maynooth, Co Kildare
Sweet N Green café, Ennis, Co Clare
Stories by Ola, Balbriggan, Co Dublin
Laundry Lab, Cobh, Co Cork
Case Study: Wholesome Kitchen, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
Wholesome Kitchen is an award-winning, casual-style restaurant based in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, founded in 2019 by David Quirke and Denise Buckley.
Watch on YouTube: Case Study: Wholesome Kitchen - YouTube
“From day one, our vision was to create a food business that supports both personal health and the health of the planet. We create healthier-style eat-in and takeaway dishes, all made from scratch using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Sustainability isn’t an add-on for us — it’s embedded in how we operate. From the suppliers we choose, to the energy we use, to how we fit out our building, the equipment we invest in, the packaging we select and the waste we generate — every decision is made consciously with sustainability at its core.
Sustainability has been central to Wholesome Kitchen since we opened.
We eliminated single-use plastics early on and transitioned to compostable and recyclable packaging. We operate on renewable electricity and have completed formal energy audits to measure and reduce our consumption. We’ve invested in highly energy-efficient equipment, but equally important is how we use that equipment — ensuring we minimise consumption while also reducing operational costs.
In partnership with Self Help Africa, we’ve planted over 10,000 trees to offset emissions and continue to work towards reducing our carbon footprint year-on-year.
Our biggest challenges, like many in hospitality, are energy costs, food waste management, and balancing sustainability with affordability. Sustainable alternatives often come at a higher cost, and as an SME you must manage margins carefully.
The real challenge is making sustainability commercially viable — not just ethically right. The ClimateToolkit4Business was practical, structured and easy to use. It broke sustainability into manageable sections rather than overwhelming theory. The benchmarking feature and final Action Report were particularly valuable because they translated information into clear, actionable next steps. It helped us identify both quick wins — such as operational efficiencies and supplier reviews — and longer-term strategies around energy optimisation and carbon measurement.
For SMEs, clarity is critical. The Toolkit removes guesswork and provides a simple roadmap of short- and medium-term actions. We’ve already begun reviewing operational efficiencies identified in the report, particularly around energy optimisation, supplier assessment and implementing clearer measurement controls. Longer term, we’re focusing on deeper carbon data tracking and more formalised reporting processes. The Toolkit provided structure, and now we can prioritise actions based on impact and feasibility..
We’ve engaged in multiple external energy audits and availed of grant support through our Local Enterprise Office. These supports allowed us to review and assess our operations thoroughly and invest in more energy-efficient equipment.
The grants reduced the financial barrier and helped us make the right decisions faster — which has had a significant impact on both our carbon footprint and our energy costs.
My advice to other SMEs is: don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Sustainability can feel complex, but starting with structure makes it manageable. Use the Toolkit as a diagnostic first. Then prioritise actions based on impact and cost. Not everything needs to happen at once. Progress is better than perfection.
For us, sustainability is not a marketing exercise — it’s a responsibility.
We want to build a successful business that delivers great food and service, but not at the expense of the planet. Becoming carbon neutral — and ultimately carbon negative — is incredibly important to us. When we opened Wholesome Kitchen, we wanted to prove that a hospitality business could operate successfully while being environmentally responsible. Over time, we’ve learned that sustainability is not a one-time achievement; it’s an ongoing commitment to review, improve and remain accountable.
Planting over 10,000 trees, switching to renewable energy and eliminating plastics are milestones we’re proud of. But the biggest shift has been mindset. Every operational decision now considers environmental impact alongside financial performance.
As SMEs, we may not control global systems — but we control our own standards. And when small businesses collectively improve, the impact is powerful. We’re committed to continuing that journey — and we encourage others to join it.”
Case Study: Capcon Engineering, Maynooth, Co Kildare
Capcon Engineering, a global designer of rainwater drainage systems, has used the Toolkit to measure its impact and identify quick wins as well as long-term strategies. The Climate Toolkit for Business proved to be an extremely valuable resource for raising awareness across the business. At every level, the team is now conscious and aligned with its objectives. Using the Climate Toolkit for Business guided the organisation towards a range of available supports, which they have successfully accessed. They began with a Climate Action Voucher from Enterprise Ireland and are now also looking at applying for Green Plus.
Watch on YouTube: Case Study: Capcon Engineering - YouTube
Case Study: Sweet N Green café, Ennis, Co Clare
Sweet N Green have sustainability at the heart of their café in Ennis. After going to their Local Enterprise Office, they secured support through the Green for Business programme and the Energy Efficiency Grant to implement sustainability changes that have made a big difference to their business. Sweet N Green’s owner, Siobhan Landy tells us about their sustainability journey.
Watch on YouTube: Case Study: Sweet N Green - YouTube
“Our unique café Sweet N Green is nestled in the heart of Ennis and has become a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike. Frank and I opened the café in 2018 with a clear vision to create a warm welcoming space that serves fresh, vibrant, locally sourced food with menus designed to cater for all dietary requirements while embracing sustainability. With our combined experience in hospitality, we wanted to create more than just a café, we wanted to build a community space.
"Like many hospitality businesses, Sweet N Green faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns and restrictions forcing us to close our doors, we had to adapt our cafe to the ever-changing market. We applied for the Local Enterprise Office Trading Online Voucher and focused on getting Sweet N Green online. We developed an online ordering system, introduced a click and collect service and developed new dine at home and deli fridge products. We had to purchase a second-hand blast chill fridge and entered a rental contract for a display fridge. This not only kept us connected to the community but also created a new revenue stream that we’ve kept going to this day.
"As we emerged from the pandemic, a new set of challenges awaited. The rising cost of living, the war in Ukraine affecting the supply chain and increasing operational costs made it difficult to manage. Wages and staffing levels became harder to balance, and while our commitment to local food provenance was non-negotiable, it became more expensive to uphold. We realised that we needed to make changes to ensure our business could remain sustainable in more ways than one.
"That’s when we turned to the LEO Green for Business program, which gave us the guidance we needed to make our café more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. It provided us with a clear plan to reduce our energy consumption and operating costs, all the while maintaining our commitment to fresh, local and sustainable food.
"We’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have a loyal and hardworking team by our side. We know that work-life balance is so important, especially in hospitality, and it’s something we’re committed to for the well-being of our staff. By reducing costs, we are better able to manage wages, retain staff and maintain that essential work-life balance for everyone on our team.
"Through the Green for Business program and with the help of the Energy Efficiency Grant, we were able to upgrade our old lighting to LED, which significantly reduced our energy bills. We also replaced the older blast chiller and rented chilled fridge with new, energy-efficient models. These changes made a huge difference, not just in terms of cost savings which we have already had a reduction in our bills, but also in reducing our environmental footprint—something that’s incredibly important to us.
"Like so many business owners, we often find ourselves caught up in working in the business rather than on it. This experience showed us how crucial it is to step back and take advantage of programs that support growth and improvement. We have just begun the SEAI energy audit application to qualify for a second Energy Efficiency grant so we can continue to make improvements in our business.
"For us, sustainability is about more than just lowering energy bills—it’s about creating a future where Sweet N Green can continue to serve our community for years to come. By reducing our costs, we can better manage wages, retain staff, and ensure that we maintain that essential work-life balance for everyone on our team.”
Case Study: Stories by Ola, Balbriggan, Co Dublin
Ola Wartak-Tolak is a potter located in Balbriggan, Co Dublin. The Local Enterprise Office’s Green for Business Programme gave her the understanding of what she could do in her business to reduce her energy use and costs. With the help of the Energy Efficiency Grant, Stories by Ola invested in a new kiln and she tells us how she achieved a significant reduction in energy costs and a boost to Stories by Ola’s sustainability credentials.
Watch on YouTube: Case Study: Stories by Ola - YouTube
“I've always been drawn to the sea. The way the waves crash, the salty air, the endless horizon – it's all so inspiring. That's why my ceramics are so often inspired by seascapes. I love the way I can capture the movement and energy of the ocean in clay and glazes.
"But running a small business like mine isn't just about creativity. It's also about practicality, sustainability and keeping costs down. And let's be honest, my kiln was a real energy drain. It was old, too small, inefficient and working all the time which was contributing significantly to my carbon footprint. I knew I had to do something about it.
"I decided to take action. I enrolled in a LEO Green for Business program, where I learned about sustainability and how to make my company operations even more climate-conscious. Afterwards, I decided to apply for an Energy Efficiency grant to replace my kiln. I was so excited when I found out I'd been approved! With this new, more energy-efficient kiln, I can continue to create beautiful, handcrafted pieces while also reducing my environmental impact. It's a win-win.
"Now, as I watch my creations emerge from the kiln, I know that I'm not just making art; I'm also making a positive difference for the planet. It's a small step, but it's a step in the right direction. And that's something I can truly feel good about.
"As for the energy usage, my old kiln would use around 25kwh each time I fired it, and I was using it four times a week. My new larger kiln only uses 23kwh per use and I only have to fire it twice a week. I save nearly half the energy while having twice the kiln size.
"This is just one way I'm working to make my business more sustainable. I'm also committed to re-using packaging materials, using only recyclable materials for packaging, and minimising waste by recycling clay or finding new uses for 'not-so-perfect' pieces. For example, I turn failed mugs into birdhouses and use broken plates to create mosaics.
"It's hard for a micro-company to make huge strides towards becoming a green business, but every little bit counts. We all have a responsibility to live a cleaner life and I'm proud to be doing my part.”
Case Study: Laundry Lab, Cobh, Co Cork
Laundry Lab, is a specialist laundry and dry-cleaning business based in Cobh, Co Cork. Formerly Cobh Dry Cleaners the business was acquired by new owners, Tony Flannigan and Bill O’Leary, in September 2023, and they moved the business to a new premises and invested in new equipment for laundry, dry cleaning and customer service. With the support of the Energy Efficiency Grant, Laundry Lab have achieved a 28% reduction in energy consumption.
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“The Green for Business program was a fantastic support for us as it reduced our capital outlays at the most expensive period of any new business. The staff in our Local Enterprise Office were extremely supportive, genuinely interested in our business and advised us on many things. We currently have six staff, which is a 50% increase, and we hope to grow further as we take advantage of market opportunities and some business model changes.
"Using the LEO Energy Efficiency Grant, we were able to purchase an 18kw ITALCLEAN 300 machine which replaced the ADC machine which was over 30 years old. The new machine has reduced our energy consumption by an estimated 28%. It processes larger batches and uses 15% less energy than the older model.
"We are exploring many more sustainability potentialities in areas of solar, electric vehicles, and sustainable packaging and chemicals. This is very much the start of the journey.”
Featured supports
Climate Toolkit 4 Business
The Climate Toolkit 4 Business gives you a simple estimate of your carbon footprint and generates a personalised action plan to help you to reduce your emissions and energy costs.
Green for Business
The LEO Green for Business is a free programme that helps small businesses take the first step towards becoming more sustainable, giving you access to a green consultant who’ll show you the small changes that can have a big impact on your company - and the world around you.
Energy Efficiency Grant
The LEO Energy Efficiency Grant is designed to support businesses to become more sustainable by investing in new energy efficient equipment, smart control systems, heat recovery and more. The grant can provide an investment of up to 75% of costs from a minimum grant of €750 up to a maximum of €10,000.
Further information
For more information on all the supports available to business visit the National Enterprise Hub on neh.gov.ie.