Posts by EcoStraws.ie

10-year-old, Pádraig O’Callaghan from Limerick has a positive energy like no other, that he is now sharing through his ‘Paudcasts.’

The 60 second clips show Pádraig spreading motivation for the week ahead and are posted each Monday on Ecostraws social media platforms – which is owned by Pádraig’s father, Brian.

The ‘Paudcasts’, which started off being viewed by only family and friends have now been seen around the world, with Pádraig being sent messages and thank you cards from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, America and Canada.

Pádraig has Down Syndrome and was born at just 31 weeks old weighing only 2lbs 14ozs.

At only three days old he was rushed to Crumlin Children’s hospital for an operation.

Proudly speaking of the adversities his son has overcome, Brian said:

“Because of the Down syndrome diagnosis, he has had to work so much harder than his peers to meet certain milestones, be they in sport, education or other life experiences.”

“And I think, as a result of that, coupled with an amazing support network from family, friends and teachers, he has grown into the most positive, determined, motivated, inspirational young man I know.”

Talking about the success of his videos, Pádraig said “Way more people saw them than I thought. I like that people enjoy them and that encourages me more.”

“I am so happy and excited to know that. It’s a good feeling. I also love the Special Olympics and they keep saying to be positive.”

Pádraig’s father added: “There is nothing more pleasing for me than seeing his eyes light up with delight in reading these messages of support. That’s rewarding enough for me.”

“He absolutely loves the praise, and I fear we have now created a monster – he has already told me I can be his manager!”

When asked who motivates him Pádraig cited his mam.

“She’s very good at doing stuff and does lots for me. And my Dad, we have great fun making the videos, and I love helping him with ideas.”

Speaking about his lockdown experience Pádraig said that although he misses his friends and teachers that he is doing some hard work and keeping busy.

After losing his role in aviation due to Covid-19, Brian said the project has ‘undoubtedly’ helped him aswell:

“Helping Pádraig record these Paudcasts has certainly helped me focus on the important things and not get bogged down with the mundane everyday problems.”

“If people can take some joy, or motivation and determination to give it one last push to overcome this pandemic, then it can only be a good thing, and we are delighted to be able to help.”

Pádraig had the following exclusive motivation for Limerick Voice readers:

“I would say just stay at home, and self-isolate. Don’t go out, apart from walks, and maybe cut the grass and do odd jobs at home to keep busy. And make sure if you have to go out to keep your distance, because Covid can spread.”

Link to all Paudcasts can be seen on https://ecostraws.clientdemoweb.com/ and across their social media channels.

See more here … http://limerickvoice.com/features/padraigs-paudcasts-the-limerick-boy-shining-a-light-during-lockdown/

A ten-year-old boy with Down syndrome is spreading tips and advice on how to stay positive with his weekly motivational “paudcast”.

Pádraig O’Callaghan, from Knockainey in Co Limerick, began working on the video series with his father Brian last year. Brian says it was a way to “help Pádraig with his communication skills and confidence”.

“I do a bit of work with Special Olympics Ireland and Down Syndrome Ireland and their positive mental attitude is very, very important so that’s how we came up with the 60-second ‘Monday Motivation Paudcast’,” explained Brian O’Callaghan.

Pádraig’s “paudcasts” are published on EcoStraw Ireland’s social media platforms. It is Brian’s business; one he has focused on since losing his job in aviation last March.

“I suppose it’s been hard for kids during lockdown. We found, number one, it was a way of keeping him entertained, keeping him out of trouble and I got to spend some time with him. If there’s one good thing that came out of this lockdown, it’s that families got to spend more time together,” explained Brian.

Perhaps because we all need a little extra motivation right now, Pádraig’s “paudcasts” of positivity are attracting a worldwide audience.

“It’s been phenomenal. We’ve had messages of support from all over the world, quite literally, America, Australia. Reading comments back to Pádraig, he’s a man that loves praise. So when I read back the comments, to see his eyes actually light up in response to his videos, it’s reward enough for me I guess,” said Brian.

Pádraig feels his audience are “very happy and excited to see me”.

Pádraig’s tops tips for staying safe but also upbeat include allowing yourself to make mistakes because “you can’t learn anything from being perfect”, “try and tackle those jobs you don’t want to tackle” and “stay home and keep busy”.

See more … https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0129/1193877-positivity-monday-paudcast/

A LIMERICK company has just introduced the first fully plastic-free certified PPE to Ireland in a bid to help companies protect both their teams and the planet. EcoShield visors are now available from EcoStraws.ie, helping to tackle both the demand for PPE in the ‘living with covid-19’ era and playing an important role in the reduction of plastic pollution.

Established in 2018 by Brian O’Callaghan and Sarah Keyes, EcoStraws.ie supplies consumers with high quality products in the most sustainable way. The company originally focused on supplying the largest selection of EcoStraws in the world, and since then, has expanded to offer EcoCups, EcoBottles, EcoBoxes and much more.

Since the pandemic hit, the business has had to pivot and diversify into sourcing new products that were aligned to the company’s eco values.

“The colossal requirement for millions of pieces of PPE has been on news headlines across the world for a number of months now. PPE is saving lives; it’s an essential requirement for many businesses, however as it’s mostly single-use plastic, we wanted to play our role in developing an alternative, that would provide the safety required yet continue to protect the planet,” adds Brian O’Callaghan, Managing Director of EcoStraws.ie

Brian continues: “As a Guaranteed Irish business, we’ve worked so hard to help reduce plastic consumption, and pre-Covid-19, we as a nation were making sizable gains in our plastic reduction. Indeed, many companies made firm commitments to reduce their reliance on plastic. In a time when we’ve all hugely appreciated the nature on our doorstep, we can’t regress to behaviours of old. Our new plastic-free EcoShield gives companies choice and a solution for continuing to honour their plastic reduction commitments.”

EcoStraws.ie has been working with its colleagues in the UK – Transcend Packaging and Reelbrands, along with international campaign group A Plastic Planet – to bring this plastic-free certified PPE to Ireland. The first shipment has just arrived and Brian has already fielded calls from many Irish companies who have a requirement for PPE as lockdown eases, but whom still value the role they play in creating a more sustainable future for us all.

The clear plastic free EcoShield visors are CE-certified whilst being home compostable and recyclable. They are made from FSC paper board and PEFC cellulose from wood pulp for a clear, mist-free screen, and are lightweight with an adjustable headband.

Co-Founder of EcoStraws.ie, Sarah Keyes adds: “As we unlock the Irish economy and businesses return to a new normal where employees and customers’ safety is paramount, demand for PPE is set to rise.”

“We’ve all already seen images of discarded plastic masks and gloves strewn across our countryside, and our hope is that because the plastic-free EcoShields are comparable in price to their plastic equivalent, they will be specified by many more companies as a way of keeping their employees safe whilst also meeting their environmental responsibilities.”

The collaboration is committed to manufacturing more than one million pieces of plastic-free equipment every week, and in the UK, The Very Group, 3 Oceans and Yodel, who supply the NHS are amongst the first customers to switch to Plastic Free PPE.

Liz Bonnin, science, wildlife and environmental broadcaster added: “PPE is vital for the protection of health care workers and to reduce the transmission of the virus. But it doesn’t have to be made from fossil fuels.

“Covid-19 will be part of our lives for some time, and as lockdown rules ease, demand for PPE is only going to increase. Considering the plastic pollution crisis we are still battling, and the lessons we are learning from this pandemic about the need to work with nature instead of against it, Plastic Free PPE can help to protect us without further damaging the planet.”

EcoStraws.ie is Ireland’s largest supplier of alternatives to single use plastic straws, and this summer, the company will hit the milestone figure of 30 million plastic straws taken out of production as a result of EcoStraws.ie’s reusable straw sales.  Its products are plastic-free, BPA-free and toxin-free and are shipped in fully recyclable, environmentally friendly packaging.

The company was awarded a Business All-Star accreditation in Jan 2019, followed by Guaranteed Irish status in Jan 2020.

For further information on the Plastic Free PPE EcoShield Visor, see www.EcoStraws.ie

See more here … https://www.retailnews.ie/news-and-views/ecostraws-ie-launches-the-world-s-first-plastic-free-ppe-in-ireland/