NEW ENTERPRISE: Staff pictured at the new 'Going Green' shop and cafe on Beech Road include: Bethany Wynne-Morgan, Maria Culebra, Marilyn Catapat-Counihan (KASI), Shamoli Akter, Majella O'Sullivan, Mary Wood, Susan McElligott and Olga Gaeva. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

A brand new business is the first of its kind in Killarney town centre and ticks all the boxes when it comes to living a sustainable life.

Going Green KASI and Zero Waste/Refill Store, which has just opened its doors on Beech Road, is going against the grain by not only creating 10 jobs as the country once again enters lockdown - but is a combined cafe using organically grown and locally sourced goods from Killarney and surrounds. And it also provides eco friendly products such as washing up liquid and detergent which customers can come in and fill up their containers themselves, reducing packaging waste.

The former O'Brien's Sandwich Shop had just opened to the public when Level 5 restrictions came into force so for now they plan to operate as a take away service.

"This project ticks all the boxes from a social, environmental and economic impact," Marilyn Catapat-Counihan from Killarney Immigrant Support Centre (KASI), who is one of many who shear-headed the unique project, told the Killarney Advertiser.

"Community is at the heart of this project. It's a good team effort."

[caption id="attachment_34340" align="alignleft" width="307"] ECO FRIENDLY: Marilyn Catapat-Counihan pictured next to the eco-friendly items in the new 'Going Green' shop and cafe on Beech Road. Photo: Michelle Crean[/caption]

Customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable containers or jars and can stock up on spices, cereals, flour, pasta, herbs, etc., which helps save on packaging and waste - so they only pay for the produce not the packaging.

"The environmental side of the refill store is about raising awareness about how we could all be part of saving our planet."

All takeaway dishes and cups are compostable or recyclable, she added.

And most of the produce is from KASI's organic garden in Ballcasheen. The staff were involved in a social enterprise with St Oliver's NS but restrictions paused that project for now.

"The staff are already trained. And we aim also to support local producers with bread from Cormac Finn, Cheese from Wilma's in Killorglin, we get chicken from Michael Gleeson from Ballyhar, Mary Carroll from Faha supplies the pastry, and we have free range eggs, and milk from Ballymac. If we cannot get it locally we get it made in Ireland to reduce food miles. We're subtly raising awareness about making a difference for a greener environment."

During this period of lockdown the cafe will operate as a takeaway only as per Government guidelines, and will be open from 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Saturday.