In the heart of rural Co. Offaly, just a short drive from Birr, lies The FACTORY—a second-generation, family-run design studio redefining what it means to be a sustainable business. Since its foundation in 2000, The FACTORY has grown from a small printing business into a multidisciplinary design studio with a team of 11, offering branding, layout design, web development, printing, and signage. But what truly sets The FACTORY apart is its unwavering commitment to sustainability, a value deeply embedded in its culture.
Lisa Dooley, who joined the business full-time in 2019, has been instrumental in empowering the team and driving this mission forward. Under her leadership, The FACTORY has fully embraced sustainability and become an inspiration to other businesses looking to make a positive impact.
A Family Legacy of Sustainability
The FACTORY’s sustainability journey began when Lisa’s parents, Brendan and Gina, founded the business in 2000 with a focus on forestry-related publications. Through their work with both Irish and Scandinavian contributors, they were introduced to early eco-awareness, which influenced their decision to use vegetable-based inks and rainwater in their lithographic printing processes.
“Back then, promoting these eco-initiatives wasn’t commercially advantageous,” Lisa explains. “If they mentioned using vegetable-based inks, they risked being called ‘hippies.’ But my parents did it anyway because it felt like the right thing to do.”
When Lisa joined the business, she saw an opportunity to build on this legacy. “I wanted to reimagine what a business could and should be,” she says. Together with the team, she created an eco-action plan, setting ambitious sustainability goals that included producing renewable energy, managing their 5.5-acre site for biodiversity, and promoting workplace wellness.
The FACTORY’s Holistic Approach to Design
For Lisa, sustainability isn’t just about reducing environmental impact—it’s about creating designs that are both functional and meaningful. “Good design needs to be holistic,” she says, “it has to solve a problem without creating or exacerbating other problems.”
This philosophy is evident in The FACTORY’s Circular Signage project, an innovative solution to the problem of single-use plastic signage. Traditional signage, often used for short-term events, is typically made from mixed materials like plastic and aluminum, making it difficult to recycle. The FACTORY’s solution? Modular, reusable signage made from renewable materials like wood and cardboard.
“We’re moving towards a model where signage is a service, not a product,” Lisa explains. “Clients can rent components, and when they’re done, they return them to us. We can then refurbish, recycle, or repurpose the materials.”
This project not only reduces waste but also aligns with The FACTORY’s broader mission to promote circular economy principles. “It’s about designing out waste and keeping materials in use for as long as possible,” Lisa adds. Last November, the signage won an IDI Award in the Exhibition/Pop-Up category.
Empowering the Team and the Community
One of the key drivers of The FACTORY’s success is its collaborative culture. “Sustainability isn’t just a management priority—it’s something the whole team is involved in,” Lisa says. From weekly team meetings to hands-on workshops, everyone at The FACTORY plays a role in shaping the business’s sustainability goals.
This collaborative spirit extends beyond the studio. The FACTORY regularly engages with local schools, third-level institutions, and other businesses to share knowledge and promote sustainable practices. Lisa recently led a workshop with secondary school students encouraging them to think creatively about circular economy solutions.
“It’s amazing to see young people come up with ideas like solar-powered rockets or packaging-free dispensers,” she says. “It shows that everyone has the potential to be a designer and a problem-solver.”
Looking to the Future
The FACTORY’s sustainability journey is far from over. With plans to increase their renewable energy production to 100% and phase out virgin plastics from their signage entirely, the team is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
One of the most exciting developments is their collaboration with Ecoroots, a company that produces mycelium-based packaging as a sustainable alternative to polystyrene. “We’re exploring whether we can use mycelium to create signage boards,” Lisa explains. “It’s a completely renewable material that can be composted after use.”
For Lisa, the future of design is clear: “Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. The bigger risk is not pursuing it, because if your business isn’t sustainable, failure is inevitable.”
The FACTORY’s story is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to sustainability. By sharing their journey, Lisa and her team are not only reducing their environmental impact but also inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
As Lisa puts it, “The biggest impact we can make is by sharing our story and showing that it’s possible to be a successful, viable business while being sustainable.”
For more information about The FACTORY and their sustainability initiatives, visit the theFACTORY.ie.
Call to Action:
If you haven’t already, make your declaration with Design Declares Ireland and join the movement towards a more sustainable future.