Denre Do a Little – Change a Lot” – helping to reduce our over dependence on unnecessary plastic’s
Denre work with business:
- Largo Foods developing a Mr Tayto ECO Range
- Bewleys in rolling out there Beeco Project
- Development of unique products from both Brewery & Distillery Spent Grain – BSG & DSG.
Denre have achieved a first in Ireland in transforming what was generally deemed waste by-products into cost effective functional everyday products.
Denre is a small start up company, located in Dundalk, started by Denis Dolan. It commenced trading in 2010 in a sole trader capacity and in 2012 registered as a limited company. Denre currently employ three people – 2 full time and 1 part time.
Denis Dolan after 25 years in the IT Industry was made redundant in 2009 and without any idea in what direction to go a friend suggested engaging in a common practice in the United States, collection of spent coffee grains (SCG) for use as fertiliser. He began collecting SCG from independent coffee shops in the North East. The SCG was mixed with ground down egg shells (calcium) and sold as 100% plant fertiliser.
After a number of weeks of processing/drying time, he discovered that the SCG had a similar texture to sawdust and had potential as a viable and sustainable alternative to make functional products rather than products that use sawdust. It would need a suitable environmentally friendly binding agent rather than that used as the binding agent in sawdust (formaldehyde). Following a great deal of research, development, testing, prototypes he came up with a viable cost effective solution in 2011.
During 2011, Bewleys made contact as they were at the early stages of rolling out there sustainable Coffee Programme Beeco . Bewleys were building coffee stations in third level institutions, primarily built from sustainable and ECO Friendly materials. Denre manufactured pieces for the serving counter made from the SCG combined with melted plastics that were thrown away by consumers. They also supplied bespoke panels, drinks coasters, menu boards using post consumer coffee waste.
As Denre were collecting the vast majority of spent coffee grains from Bewley it was a logical fit – an example of “closed loop” recycling/upcycling.
Denre exhibited drinks coaster & placemat made using the by-product from coffee at Showcase January 2012, and were short listed and highly commended by the Crafts Council of Ireland new products category awards.
Denre has now also successfully developed bioproducts using the following:
- Brewers Spent Grain (BSG)
- Coffee Spent Grain (CSG)
- Distillery Spent Grain (DSG)
- Starch from Crisp Manufacturing
- Plant Pot to Product
The finished products supports the environment by offering about half the carbon footprint & reduces cost and need for fossil resources. Plus after the lifecycle they can be recycled and are compostable and biodegradable.
Source: Enivrocentre.ie – Denre Provide Sustainable and Ecologically Responsible Products
