Lidl Graduate and winner of the Graduate Employee of the Year, Robert Beirne, from Swords, was recruited by Global Green for the Electric Picnic weekend to help with their waste management during the festival.
Robert won the prestigious Graduate Employee of the Year award in May for demonstrating enthusiasm, initiative and skill, as well as adding significant value and contribution to the business success of Lidl.
Robert, who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology Management in 2012, completed the Lidl Graduate Programme in Logistics Management and was given full responsibility for all waste and recycling contracts for Lidl’s 184 stores and regional distribution centres.
As part of his project management role, Robert devised new ways to increase the levels of recycling within the company.
Soem 85 per cent of Lidl’s total waste is diverted away from landfill with an overall goal of hitting the ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ mark. Within six months, Robert’s efforts boosted recycling levels by over 30% by making a range of changes from how Lidl processed and transported its compost waste material to recycling additional products. Robert made Lidl Greener and Lidl received a Repak Pakman award for Excellence in Waste Management, and at Electric Picnic he used his skills to help the Global Green at Electric Picnic.
Global Green invited Robert to join their Waste and Recycling Team, Chris and Lynn, and help manage their waste for the three days, as well as welcoming festival goers to their eco space and giving a brief talk on his eco learnings and how he has helped Lidl become greener.