KMK Metals Recycling voluntarily publishes first sustainability report

Midlands-based KMK Metals Recycling has published its first ever Sustainability Report, with the inaugural publication focusing on the year 2023.

The metals and e-waste recycling company has its headquarters in Tullamore and a second recycling centre in Kilbeggan, and marked their 45th anniversary in April.

Sustainability reporting is a form of non-financial reporting that enables companies to convey their progress toward goals on a variety of sustainability parameters, including environmental, social and governance metrics, as well as risks and impacts they may face at the moment or in the future.

What is unusual about KMK Metals Recycling's sustainability report is that it is being released on a purely voluntary basis. It is not driven by any regulatory requirements but rather driven by the Midlands company’s pride in its progress and achievements, as well as a genuine desire to investigate its impacts on the environment.

The report highlights KMK Metals Recycling’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance that leads by example.

It shows that, in 2023, KMK Metals Recycling made significant strides in several areas, including reducing its environmental footprint, contributing to the circular economy, supporting biodiversity, and promoting a healthy and inclusive workspace.

KMK Metals Recycling Compliance Manager Eamonn Pidgeon explained how and why the report was commissioned and executed.

“We are almost in 2025, but in December 2023 I set out an objective with support from management and my colleagues in Compliance to produce KMK Metals Recycling’s first ever Sustainability report.

“In July 2024, ESG reporting became mandatory for all large-scale companies. With the excellent work KMK Metals Recycling has been doing over the last number of years and the support from our managing directors Kurt and Max Kyck we agreed why not voluntarily report this information and be prepared for 2026 where SMEs, and other small businesses will be expected to start reporting.

“Once all annual returns were complete for March 31, 2024, the task at hand became real. Thankfully, my colleague Miguel Martino with a Masters in Environmental Sustainability had already commenced working on the Sustainability report for 2023. We sat down and reviewed what was drafted and what was needed to be included in this report as an SME.

“KMK Metals Recycling had lots of positive works completed in 2023 such as PV installation at both sites, new state=of-the-art processing technology, electric vehicles, supporting biodiversity projects for communities in Westmeath and Offaly and many more.

“This work and commitment to the environment stems from the culture embedded in KMK by its directors. Having this culture within the company’s management structure made the report possible.

“Nevertheless, figuring out how to calculate, compile and report on information from areas such as energy use, carbon emissions and workforce characteristics was a significant challenge that required a lot of learning, and a lot of support from every department. We realised this report was like no other and would take time and patience. Miguel did a lot of work on this and we met weekly to review aspects of the report. In November 2024 we finally had the report complete.

“The report now needed small edits, reviews and final preparation before our Digital Marketing colleague Katrina could prepare it for printing and publishing. It was a tight window to have all digital aspects and printing preparation complete before this week, but long hours and commitment made this possible.

“I would like to thank Miguel and Katrina for their commitment on this report and capturing the hard work all our staff and colleagues do daily here at KMK Metals Recycling to make this possible.”

To read the full digital version or access a printable copy of KMK Metals Recycling’s 2023 Sustainability Report, visit https://www.kmk.ie/documents.