Celebrating Green Crew Heroes! Oisin O'Broin Beag, Founder of Glon Recycling & Resource Management in Wicklow, Ireland.
Green The Bid Crew Heroes is a series that highlights individuals who bring sustainable practices to any area of the production process, and seek to inspire others to do the same. Production can’t happen without all crew-members (both on set and off), and the same is true of their support of Green The Bid.
This week Green The Bid’s Jessie Nagel spoke with Oisin O'Broin Beag, Founder of Glon Recycling & Resource Management, about protecting Ireland’s natural beauty, how to ensure a low waste set, and energy efficiency as a key factor in a sustainable future.
J.N. Where are you based, and how has that influenced your perspective on environmentalism?
O.O.B. We are based in Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Wicklow is known as the "Garden of Ireland" and has outstanding natural beauty including beaches, mountains and lakes. I grew up with all this on my doorstep. So an appreciation of the natural environment and our symbiotic relationship with it has always been a part of my life.
J.N. What is Glon and why did you decide to launch it?
O.O.B. Glon is a waste management and recycling company servicing Film and TV productions. Having worked in locations for many years I had seen at first hand the impact of outdated waste management systems on the environment. I launched Glon because I knew I could, with my experience in locations, introduce a service which would change the culture of waste on productions.
J.N. What are key tips to reducing on set waste?
O.O.B. The key tips to reducing on set waste are Tip 1: Constant vigilance to reduce the production of any waste type. Tip 2: A total ban on all non-compostable plate ware, cutlery, packaging and cups is fundamental in reducing general waste. Tip 3: On set initiatives, such as waste separation at source and drinking water filling stations should always be provided and work best with a dedicated person ensuring correct usage.
J.N. If you didn’t do what you do now, is there another job in the industry or otherwise that you’d do? Why?
O.O.B. There is definitely work to be done on the broader greening of the Film and TV industry which interests me.
On a totally different track I studied Sustainable Building Technology and Passive Housing in college and I have lots of ideas on low cost, low impact domestic housing solutions. But right now Glon is my passion and priority.
J.N. Who is a hero to you?
O.O.B. I really admire Norman Crowley, an Irish business man who works in the area of energy efficiency and carbon reduction. His not-for-profit foundation, The Cool Planet Experience, based in Co Wicklow, is an interactive climate action experience for both adults and children.
J.N. Why did you decide to join Green The Bid?
O.O.B. I joined Green The Bid because I like an action based approach to helping people in the area of sustainability. The website is full of useful information which is realistic and can actually be used to make real change on the ground. At Glon we are constantly looking for new ways to improve our services and the Green The Bid community connects us with like minded people.
----- Are you a crew hero or do you know one? We want to hear from you!
