Where Food Safety
Meets Food Waste
MEET CONSCIOUS KITCHENS
Conscious Kitchens is a Waste Management Consultantancy, specialising in the food and hospitality sector. I help restaurants, cafés, and hotels take control of their waste costs, not just by cutting bills, but by fixing what is causing them in the first place.
Most businesses don’t realise how much money literally goes into the bin, but I do, because I’ve probably been in one (yes, sometimes I’ll actually climb in to see what’s really being thrown away). I dig into your waste invoices, your bin setup, and your collection schedules to uncover hidden waste, overcharges, and inefficiencies. Then I help you redesign your approach to waste.
How Bins Became My Business
Using my years of experience as an Environmental Health Officer, I began helping food businesses understand what really happens during inspections, and how to be fully prepared. But over time, I realised there was a much bigger opportunity than just passing inspections. I saw how much perfectly good food and recyclable material was ending up in the wrong bins, and how much money was being wasted because of it.
That’s when I knew I had to step in and help businesses tackle the problem at its source.
Celebrating the businesses that have embarked on zero-to-landfill with me, who have successfully diverted an estimated
HACCP Plans
All food businesses must have procedures or a set of procedures based on the principles of HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control point). We offer a tailor made HACCP Plan to meet your regulatory requirements so that you have the information at your fingertips, prepared for any scenario.
Opening a Food Business
Whether you are a start-up or an established business in the food industry, many companies need guidance when it comes to opening a new or additional premises. Our consultancy services are here to help food businesses prepare for inspection time, no matter the stage of your business development. Get your doors open, and get through your first inspection with ease.
Zero-to-Landfill
Did you know that 97% of food businesses do not monitor their food waste? Incorporating zero-to-landfill practices and becoming aware of in-house waste streams can result in a dramatic reduction in your waste bills. Get inventive with Conscious Kitchens and watch the waste creation within your business dramatically reduce while working with us.
Pre-Inspection Audit
Set standards for your business that you can stand by every day of the year. An EHO only gets a snapshot of how your business operates, so ensure your processes are well thought out ahead of time by working with a qualified consultant. Conscious Kitchens gives you peace of mind by providing actionable insights to move your business in the right direction. Feel ready for inspection time 365 days of the year.
Kind Words
“I was looking to improve Puck’s waste management system for some time but I found myself overwhelmed by the amount of work it would entail. Amy came in and explained everything specifically to our needs! She took the team through all of the steps and made the transition so much easier than I anticipated. I was amazed at how quickly we were able to adopt the changes.”
Aoibheann Callely | Founder of Puck Burger
“I worked with Amy on creating a HACCP plan in 2021, and again in 2022 when I transitioned Cream of the Crop into a zero-to-landfill business (100% of my general waste now goes in to recycling or composting). Amy put together a bespoke HACCP plan that really captures our processes and emphasises our care when preparing our products. She was of great assistance in our transition to zero-to-landfill. Thank you for helping Cream of the Crop, Amy!”
Giselle Makinde | Founder of Cream of the Crop
Aoife Reynolds | Operations Manager
“Amy helped us set up a circular economy plan as well as tighten up our food safety. Amy is a joy to work with and clearly loves what she does. We look forward to embarking on a zero-to-landfill journey with you next. Thank you for all the help, Amy!”
Shane Kelly | Founder of Tír Deli
“Amy is great to work with. Bin charges are something I neglected to look at and as a result of Amy’s consultation I have saved a minimum €1,000 a year AND reduced my general waste by 95% in less than 2 months!”
Krishna Padayachee | Founder of A Dó Cafe
How to make
Chicken Stock from Scraps
The most wasted foods and
ways to save them from the bin
From the kitchen to the soil:
Recycled Nutrients
3 Food Storage Hacks
to reduce Food Waste
How to use Food Scraps
you usually throw out
How to make your own
Apple Scrap Vinegar
Meet Amy
Hi there! My name is Amy Irwin and I am the owner and founder of Conscious Kitchens. I am a food safety and zero-to-landfill consultant, located in Dublin, Ireland. I have a BSc. Environmental Health and achieved Lead Auditor qualification and certified Train the Trainer.
After working as an EHO for 12 years, I decided to blend my expertise in food safety and my passion for waste to educate businesses around inspections, food safety and waste management.