Leaf Environmental Ltd

Introduction • Testimonials • Management team

Producer Responsibility Experts in the UK & Ireland since 2000

Leaf Environmental Ltd (often referred to in the industry as simply Leaf) is a specialist producer responsibility consultancy. Based in Dublin, we work with waste packaging, battery and WEEE producers large & small throughout the UK & Ireland across all sectors.

Leaf was established as a consultancy in 2000 in response to the growing obligations placed on waste packaging producers in Europe. We are now part of The Leaf Group, which comprises ourselves as a consultancy along with two established and registered UK compliance schemes; Nipak and Scotpak with offices in Belfast and Glasgow respectively. At management level we have over 30 years of experience in understanding and interpreting corporate producer responsibility legislation.

Experience and Reputation

We have an enviable reputation as Ireland's leading packaging, batteries, WEEE and environmental compliance manager.  We've achieved this by setting the highest standards in the industry in all jurisdictions. Our reputation has brought us into the UK market where we have established a strong presence. The Leaf Group is regarded by clients and regulators as an experienced and specialist compliance practitioner.

What distinguishes Leaf Environmental from other consultancies?

●  Expertise:  We specialise in producer responsibility: packaging, WEEE and battery compliance. This is what we do exclusively, it is not just one part of a broader services portfolio as is often the case with our competitors. We are focused and but have a large circle of associates who support and complement our knowledge base.

●  Knowledge: Legislation and interpretation. We are informed and experienced, both academically and in application. 

●  Diligence: The Leaf Group has never failed an audit. Quite simply, we get it right. Our clients value our attention to detail.

●  Value: We aim to save you money, not only through our service and fees but in assuring your compliance obligations.

●  Ethics: Leaf is very proud of the ethical impetus that underpins everything we do. We care about the environment and can get quite strident about the benefits of reducing waste for both businesses and society.

●  Relationships: We have established dialogues with key industry figures at policy and institute level, along with a wide network of suppliers, brokers, agencies and advisors. These relationships keep our processes informed and ensures that our clients voices and concerns are influential. 

●  Service: Our key staff and indeed many of our clients have been with us from the early years. The Leaf Group was built on a spirit of personalised customer service and delivery reinforced by the attributes listed above. We come to work with a keen sense of responsibility; to our clients, to the supply chain and to the environment. 

Testimonials for Leaf Environmental

"Heatons Stores has been receiving excellent support from Leaf's services for over six years. During this time their trusted experience has been paramount in advising our business with compliance to our waste obligations. The team we deal with in the main Ashling & Emmet, have always proven to be very reliable and professional whilst providing reassurance that everything is done correctly. Any specific requests are always responded to in a timely and comprehensive manner. I would certainly recommend LEAF’s services to any business who wish to confidently meet their statutory waste obligations."

Paul Ferris - Heatons Stores

"Glanbia Ingredients Ireland (GII) have worked with Leaf for over three years, on the basis of their level experience, professionalism and approachability. Leaf have provided an excellent, cost effective service, which frees up valuable time. We are provided a level of confidence in the knowledge that all measures will be in place to adapt to changes to legislation, in consultation with Leaf. On this basis, I would recommend Leaf to others."

Glanbia Ingredients Ireland (GII)

"I have been using their services for last 7 years without fault. The Leaf staff are extremely professional and their attention to detail is very high. When requesting information or data, it arrives on time, guaranteeing reliability and confidence in the services they offer. The ability to supply information and updates is a testament to their knowledge of the market sector. I chose Leaf as a result of a recommendation from a business colleague, and initial discussions with Emmet Nolan who who instilled a high degree of confidence in the services they were offering. I would have no hesitation in recommending Leaf to anyone looking for a reliable and professional service in this area based on our experience dealing with them."

Patrick Reilly - P.R. Reilly Limited

“We take comfort in knowing that we can rely on Leaf to ensure that we are fulfilling all our obligations under WEEE and Packaging regulations.

They are reliable and professional to deal with and we trust their knowledge and experience in what is a very important area for us.”

Finance Manager - Harvey Norman

"We have always found Ashling to be first class in terms of her experience and diligence in advising us on the best course of action for our compliance obligations and her attention to detail which can be best described as truly excellent. As a business we place great trust in the knowledge and professionalism of the services Ashling has provided for us and had found it extremely cost effective and we would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her services or indeed that of Leaf Environmental."

Colm Sheerin - RS Ireland

"McDonald's Restaurants of Ireland have been using the services of Leaf Environmental for over ten years to compile annual Repak returns.

We are very satisfied with the service provided in terms of reliability and professionalism. Also, information is turned around in a timely manner which ensures all deadlines are met.

Also, Leaf Environmental has been fully involved and supported through the audit process ensuring a successful outcome."

McDonald's Ireland

"The Irish Pharmacy Union has engaged Leaf Environmental as our Waste Consultants for over 10 years. We have found them to be extremely knowledgeable, diligent, trustworthy and professional in all our dealings. The information and advice given to us and our members is clear, concise and up to date ensuring our members remain fully compliant with regard to waste regulations. We would have no hesitation in recommending Leaf to any organisation."

Irish Pharmacy Union

"Dixons Carphone chose Leaf for their experience in the Irish compliance market, which we know we can trust. We feel the service offered by the team is second to none; always a fast, competitive and reliable service offered. They always communicate with us well, they keep us informed of changes to markets coming soon as well as keep us informed on future changes. We enjoy working with Leaf. It’s a team we can trust and are confident they are always looking after us and treat us as a valuable customer."

Dixons Carphone Ireland

"We at LED Group were looking at options for managing our waste and being compliant with legislation but like a lot of companies were not fully aware of all the requirements. I meet with a number of consultants and was most impressed with Ashling and the way she cut through the abundance of political and legislative red tape making it very easy to understand and showing us the most cost effective way to control our waste management requirements.

Having made the decision to go with Leaf and outsourcing our waste management we got to meet with the rest of the Leaf team and have to say weren’t disappointed. They lived up to my expectation and followed on from Ashling’s first impression, we shared a belief that you should always do what you say you will do so once something was agreed upon you knew it would be done in that way and didn’t have to follow up.

I was apprehensive at first because all of this was new but having met with Leaf and SDCC on a couple of occasions I knew the decision we had made was the correct one and that I could confidently leave this work to the Leaf team and other members of my team knowing it was going to be completed on time, every time and professionally"

Liam Mahady - LED Group

"Brakes first experienced Leaf Environmental compliance services through the Nipak scheme in Northern Ireland and when our operations expanded into the Republic of Ireland we sought the advice and experience of Leaf Environmental to guide us. The team gave us all the information we needed and helped us make the right decisions for our operations. They set up and looked after all our packaging compliance and administrative requirements and cheerfully wrestled into submission the mountain of paperwork that we threw at them. They then helped us move into Repak membership. The Leaf service is knowledgeable, experienced and diligent. We know that we can trust the team to keep us informed, compliant and within the law. Repak membership with Leaf support has proven a very time and cost-effective route to compliance for our business."

Brakes Ireland

Core Management Team & Responsibilities

Simon established Leaf Environmental in 2000 when he identified a need within the Irish packaging and waste compliance sector for a more service orientated and environment focused consultancy; one that would help businesses give back to the environment by reducing packaging waste in the first instance, whilst meeting obligations in an efficient and cost-effective way. 

Experience

Since the mid-90's Simon has specialised in packaging, waste management, and environmental auditing along with management systems in associated fields. As an independent consultant and services provider he has extensive experience in business development and project management.

Institutions & Policy

Simon is a Corporate Member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and was the founder Chair for the Irish branch of The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). His involvement in the industry at policy level in both the UK and Ireland ensures that the Leaf Environmental consultancy services stay relevant and informed.

Ashling is a principal consultant and the Operations Director. She has an exceptional working understanding of all matters relating to waste, corporate responsibility and the environment.  Ashling oversees all aspects of packaging, WEEE & battery compliance and reporting across all jurisdictions.

Before joining Leaf in 2002 Ashling was an account manager at Repak with responsibilities for implementation of waste management and minimisation strategies plus data management training. She brought this experience, drive and delivery to Leaf and has been instrumental in the growth and direction of the Group.

Consultancy

Ashling helps businesses navigate their way through the Producer responsibilities that affect them, striving to identify the best route to compliance for their operations. Companies benefit from the breadth of her experience and specialist knowledge; benefits that can be measured in cost and efficiency along with the assurance that compliance has been achieved correctly. 

Producer Responsibility legislation now has implications for every stage of the supply of goods. Knowledgeable and informed, many of our large supply-chain clients rely on Ashling as their first point of contact for compliance and operational advice.

Emmet is a senior consultant. He joined Leaf in 2003 with an MSc in Applied Environmental Science and his role has evolved in such a way that he is now an integral member of the senior team. He is an Associate Member of the CIWM.

Emmet specialises in interpreting Producer Responsibility legislation, providing informed advice and assisting businesses that have packaging, WEEE and battery waste obligations.

Self-compliers

He is pivotal to the reputation that Leaf enjoys for client care and keen attention to detail. Emmet works closely with self-compliers, guiding them through the complex demands of self compliance, from providing advice to the full portfolio of reporting and supporting services.

Scheme Members

Emmet also has responsibility for ensuring that compliance scheme members meet their obligations in a timely manner. As well as interpretation and information, this role can involve partial or complete data management and submission, as well as associated compliance responsibilities.