Welcome to the PlasTrak Initiative for SMEs.

At PlasTrak, we are on a mission to empower SMEs by demystifying the complexities of the Voluntary ESRS.

Small business owner counting boxes!
Small business owner counting boxes!
Small business owner counting boxes!

Unlike the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), made for large companies, the Voluntary ESRS are flexible and designed to fit the specific needs of smaller businesses. Think of it as a handy toolkit!

At Plastrak, we've started by focusing on plastic and waste management.

Why Should You Care?

Build a better network.
Stay ahead of the curve.

Ready to Learn How?
Meet Fiona.

Fiona is a local business owner based in Dublin.
A lot of her suppliers are affected by the CSRD. Since Fiona is part of her suppliers' value chain, she may have to relay some sustainability information back to them!

Fiona has decided to look into the Voluntary ESRS to improve her sustainability reporting practices, she's taken notes throughout the website to make things clearer for herself!

this is Fiona!

The Voluntary ESRS

It's split into three sections that build on top of each other!

voluntary, but encouraged!

what's the down-low?

Start here!

(an SME-specific tool for sustainability reporting!)

Aims:
1. Help SMEs contribute to a sustainable economy
2. Manage environmental challenges while boosting competitiveness
3. Provide information for financing or meeting demands from larger companies (like the ones that fall under the CSRD!)

Basic Module B7

Basic disclosures and metrics. This is the bare minimum!

B7 looks at waste management.

Read More

Narrative Policies, Actions and Targets

Tell the story behind your policies, actions, and targets. You need a materiality analysis to focus on your most important sustainability areas!

Read More

Business Partners

Describe extra data points for lenders, investors, and corporate clients.

(you need a materiality analysis for these two!)

B7: Resource use, circular economy, and waste management

Are we handling resources wisely, dealing with waste responsibly, and implementing circular economy practices?

Remember how we're focusing on waste?
This is the specific guideline in the Voluntary ESRS that addresses this!

Let's look at the specifics

  • Do you operate manufacturing, construction or packaging processes?

    How much of the product/packaging is recycled?

    How much of it can be recycled?

    I have all sorts of packaging for my flower bouquets!

    the paper I use to wrap my bouquets is not recycled unfortunately.

    My product (the flowers) are 100% compostable! The packaging is also 100% recyclable :)

  • How much total annual waste do you generate?

    Express this in units of weight!

    Break it down by type (hazardous and non-hazardous)

    I generate around 2 bin bag of waste per day!

    I had to estimate this one… I think I generate around 600Kg of waste per year

    The European Waste Catalogue sums up each type of waste!

    Some of the hazardous waste I generate includes batteries and pesticides for my flowers!

  • How much waste is diverted to recycle or reuse?

    Express this in units of weight!

    Most of my waste is recyclable! I would estimate around 60-70%

    Out of the estimated 600Kg, I'd say 400Kg consists of paper packaging, recyclable plastics, and compostable material

Make sure to flick through each section!

Narrative Policies, Actions and Targets

Tell us your story. What's your playbook?

  • N1 - Strategy

    Tell us what you're all about: what you sell, where you sell it, who you work with, and if you're doing anything special for the planet!

    I'm looking to reduce my business' water consumption!

    I own a flower shop in the city centre!

    I employ 3 people

  • N2 - Material Sustainability Matters

    Share what really matters: tell us what affects your people, your environment, your finances, and what you plan to do about it.

    I need to conduct a materiality analysis for this!

    are probably my most important issues

    • resource use and waste

    • climate change,

    • water and soil pollution

    I should look into the Local Enterprise Office's "Green for Business" supports for more!

  • N3 - Management of material sustainability matters

    Tell us how you're handling the big stuff: what policies and actions you've got in place to tackle sustainability challenges, like preventing negative impacts, reducing emissions, and managing risks, all in a way that's easy to understand and track.

    I've stopped using plastic for my flower bouquets and used the Climate Toolkit 4 Business to visualise my emissions

  • N4 - Key Stakeholders

    Have you been engaging with any stakeholders? Tell us who they are and what you've been up to together!

    I'm more involved with the Local Enterprise Office
    I've had a reliable supplier for multiple years
    I've applied for a Green for Business Grant through the City Council!

  • N5 - Governance: responsibilities in relation to sustainability matters

    Who's in charge of keeping the business sustainable? Tell us who's steering the ship and making sure we're thriving responsibly!

    As a small business owner, I oversee the business' sustainability efforts. I'm looking to firstly identify areas in which I can reduce my resource use, notably in the area of waste.

About Us

PlasTrak is a student-led initiative, we believe in the power of education, collaboration, and action to drive positive change in our communities and beyond.

Student-Led

The PlasTrak Scheme for SMEs is a student-led initiative. As college students, we believe in the power of education, collaboration and action to drive change in our communities and beyond.

Collaborative

Driven by a shared vision of a more sustainable future, PlasTrak stems from a collaboration between SMEs, industry experts, academic partners, and community stakeholders

Opportunity-recognising

Recent sustainability regulation is complex. It is unreasonable to expect SMEs to navigate through 200-page documents. At Plastrak, we've committed to simplifying this process for you, offering concise guidance that you can grasp in just 10 minutes.

Here's what Irish business owners had to say!

Feedback

"Well done, very helpful!"

"Very effective, the scenario used to explain the regulation makes it very practical."

"Very helpful, it is all still an unknown area and daunting for small businesses, as we have not yet been briefed by the government."

We would love to know what you think!