Search Results

CIRCULAR BUSINESS SUPPORTS KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & POLICY ENGAGEMENTS ECOSYSTEM COLLABORATION HOTSPOT BASELINE ASSESSMENTS CIRCULAR MATURITY MODEL CIRCULAR ACTION PLAN CIRCULAR ECONOMY ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUNDING SUPPORTS POLICY INNOVATION GHG (Hotspot) Baseline CIRCULÉIRE is raising awareness and capacity building with our member participants to explore and report not only Scope 1 & 2 emissions, but also Scope 3 emissions on an annual basis. The CIRCULÉIRE baseline assessment provides you with a Hotspot Baseline for your estimated emissions across scope 1, 2 and 3 which provide an indicator of how your organisation is performing over time. Completing a baseline assessment annually will help your organisation to: Inform carbon reduction target setting Establish internal data collection and data management practices Enable transparent communication about your emissions reduction efforts – as part of ESG and CSRD reporting requirements. GHG (Hotpost) Baseline Steps Circular Maturity Model Transitioning from the current linear economy of ‘Take, Make and Waste’ to a circular economy where ‘waste’ is designed out of the system is not something that is done overnight. Nor is it something that is done by one or two people within in an organisation. It requires a broader conversation across the entire organisation to make that shift from a linear to a circular mindset. CIRCULÉIRE’s Circular Maturity Model (CMM) is an online self-assessment toolkit designed to facilitate that conversation. Key benefits of the CMM tool are: Stimulate a dialogue around what circularity means for your business Understand your circular economy capabilities Establish (Annual) Circular Maturity Baseline & Benchmark Circularity Performance Gain recommendations to improve Circular Economy Performance Visual Reporting Tool - representing your current and targeted circularity levels Easy-to-Use Online Tool - functionality for both individual and multi-user assessments Circular Action Plan For those organisation's interested in finding ways to save money and add value to your business operations, we offer a comprehensive assessment and customised action plan. Over the course of 12 to 16 weeks, our team will work closely with you through on-site visits, workshops, and interviews to: Understand the current environmental impacts of your production processes and supply chain, focusing on materials, water, and energy usage. Identify areas where circular economy strategies are already in practice. Analyze how resources are utilized throughout your value chain and pinpoint where inefficiencies occur. Brainstorm innovative ideas for reducing costs, enhancing supply chain resilience, and create new value opportunities through circular strategies. Develop a customized action plan outlining short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals for implementing circular economy practices, allowing for ongoing monitoring and performance tracking. Circular Ventures Accelerator From 2020 to 2023, CIRCULÉIRE in collaboration with Tangent, Trinity’s Idea Workspace delivered Ireland’s first accelerator dedicated to scaling circular ventures. This programme is a combination of non-equity funding and expert mentoring that supports mid-level start-ups to expand their innovative business models and impact Ireland’s Net-Zero Carbon ambitions. The programme empowers Ireland’s circular economy entrepreneurs to scale their circular solutions and find markets. CIRCULÉIRE's Circular Venture Accelerator aims to support late-stage circular economy ventures to scale by introducing innovators to System Thinking for circularity, helping them refine their customers profiling, improving their ability to leverage multiple funding opportunities, getting them familiar with tools to measure circular performance and master their storytelling. We are committed to give circular economy innovators, who wish to avail of highly specialized circularity mentorship and business acceleration support, access to a diverse pool of mentors, coaches and subject experts. 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Arcology Systems Arcology System is a revolutionary smart and data-driven interior construction system that offers modularity and adaptability. This system unlocks circular economy value in the way commercial fitouts are financed, procured, built and managed for REIT’s, developers and end-users. Ériu Ériu is reviving the lost legacy of Irish Wool. Ériu yarn is made from the softest Irish wool, hand selected, processed and designed entirely in Ireland. They are proud to be the first Irish knitwear brand whose products are exclusively Irish sourced and made through our ‘Farm to Yarn’ sustainable initiative and sourced from a trusted network of farmers around Ireland, as well as Ériu’s own farm in Wicklow. THE FACTORY The FACTORY is on a mission to reinvent the traditionally wasteful and plastic-reliant signage industry by utilising wood, cardboard and other more Earth-friendly materials. The company uses green energy for production, and is reimagining their signage systems with so reuse is at its core. Tympany Medical Tympany Medical are designing endoscopes at the leading edge of design, electronics, photonics, and engineering. Tympany deliver first in class endoscopes to the ENT market and beyond to allow surgeons to maximise visualisation in minimally invasive surgery. UsedFULLY UsedFULLY is creating science-based solutions for unwanted clothing and textiles. Their vision is to circularise textile resources and measure impacts to reduce waste and emissions. The company seeks to Implement new technologies and circular business models at scale to ensure the full value of textile resources are maximised thereby reducing the environmental impacts of clothing and textiles. Well Spent Grain Well Spent Grain are committed to reducing the impact of food waste in the supply chain by upcycling brewer’s spent grain (which is underutilized and wasted in the food supply chain), into healthy sustainable snacks that are available for sale in retail stores. Harley & Marley Harley & Marley launched “Planet Loving Pets” a super-premium range of fish-based pet treats made from sustainable and nutritious ingredients in Ireland. The company’s range is made by Origin Green Gold Members Atlantis Seafood of Kilmore Quay, Wexford and the first range features four products. Their treats are made of locally caught fish, under Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)’s Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP), meaning it is all sustainably fished and traceable. IFF Plastics IFF Plastics turns waste plastic (farm, industrial and ocean plastic) into top quality fence posts using a closed loop recycling service. They partner with farmers, business, and customers to deliver a circular plastics business model. Niskus Biotec Niskus Biotec is focused on the provision of innovative products and services to the agri-food and biotech sectors in fungal large-scale solid-state fermentation. The company works with customers to select the most suitable fungal strains for their process and growing media and to develop and scale-up new fungal derived high-value products such as proteins, enzymes, and intermediates. Sensi Sensi is a cleantech company that has developed the world’s first Smart RVM (Reverse Vending Machine) using Visual Artificial Intelligence. Their products incorporate advanced visual recognition technology and digital rewards, enabling deposit return schemes for several recyclable materials and reusable products to ensure the collection of uncontaminated streams of material. Verifact Verifact are a cloud-based sustainability platform that enables supply chain information to be captured and stored securely. This data is then used to validate the supply chain claims including circular economy related claims. Avoca Seafood Avoca Seafood is an aquaculture company dedicated to raising Atlantic salmon in a responsible and eco-friendly way. Utilizing a state-of-the-art Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), Avoca raises fish entirely on land within a controlled environment. Allowing for continuous production while maintaining optimal conditions for the fish and minimizing environmental impact. Biowave Biowave technology is the sustainable solution for converting waste streams to bioavailable resources. Bio wave take difficult to treat organic wastes and convert them to a form that is ready for downstream biological processing. Digital Array Control Systems (DACS) DACS has developed a battery management system to extend the useful lifespan of lithium battery packs. This unit costs 8-12% of the basic array but doubles lifespan and prevents capacity loss. I am not a Virgin A high-quality clothing and shoe company, specializing in 100% recycled or biodegradable a high-quality clothing and shoe company, developing 3D printed footwear from secondary raw materials. ZeroNet The world’s first cloud-based technology platform designed explicitly around the logistical requirements of the Circular Economy. The ZeroNet app launched in Brighton & Hove in 2020 in partnership with Tech-Takeback. It will launch in Ireland in 2024. The service is designed to radically streamline the domestic recovery of unwanted small electrical and electronic devices. Electric Avenue Bikes Electric Avenue are a bike-share provider that is exploring the modularity of their bikes and batteries, which creates the potential to remanufacturer them at the end of each lifecycle. Applying this method, they double the life span of a lithium-ion battery pack and keep bikes on the road and out of landfills for longer. Jiminy Eco Toys Jiminy Eco Toys is an eco-specialist toy company, retailing and distributing the earth-kindest toys across Ireland & the UK that address the problem of toys that are wrapped in plastic packaging. Founder Sharon Keilthy set up Jiminy to give eco-minded customers more options. KnowCarbon KnowCarbon are a digital and traceability venture that provides transparent, actionable data to companies and consumers on carbon. ReFunk ReFunk is a female-owned, one-stop eCommerce platform that promotes the circular economy by buying, selling and commissioning pre-loved and upcycled furniture through their marketplace. Returnr Returnr is eliminating single-use food and beverage packaging in cafes and independent retailers through a B2C deposit return scheme for reusable food and beverage packaging. Blade Bridge BladeBridge repurposes retired wind turbine blades into sustainable infrastructure such as bridges and e-bike charging hubs. Wind blades are made from a composite material which is incredibly strong and durable and can be used to substitute raw materials such as steel and concrete for lower carbon & lower maintenance products Finline Furniture Revive by Finline Furniture is an initiative that not only promotes circularity but also supports social causes and customer loyalty. This take back scheme gives old furniture a second life. We restore and resell it, reducing waste and promoting sustainability thereby making a positive impact on the environment and society as a whole. HaPPE Earth HaPPE Earth have created bio-digestible (compostable) Personal Protective Equipment, such as single use splash aprons, using sustainably sourced bio-resin. The PPE is used as before but this time, the value is recovered by using our HaPPE onsite medical bio-digester creating a pathogen safe, nutrient rich fertiliser, resin recapture or biofuel potential. Rezero Rezero eliminates waste by preventing millions of unused cigarettes from being incinerated annually, addressing a global issue. By isolating cellulose acetate from the cigarette filters, Rezero manufactures sustainable products like buttons and eyewear frames, reducing reliance on virgin materials and supporting the circular economy in the fashion industry and beyond. Shareclub Shareclub offers innovative circular packaging solutions for events, workplaces, and takeaway services, designed to cut costs and minimise waste. Utilising QR-enabled reusables, shareclub tracks usage and impact, providing event hosts and corporate partners with quantifiable insights on their reduction of disposable items and CO2 emissions, enhancing sustainability reporting. Circular Food Co. Circular Food Co. enables the circular economy by transforming food manufacturing waste into high-value ingredients. We help producers reduce disposal, cut carbon, and create new revenue streams—keeping food in the system longer and replacing resource-intensive ingredients with upcycled, sustainable alternatives. EcoRoots Ecoroots is a biotechnology company creating high-performance, compostable packaging from mycelium, the root network of fungi, grown on agricultural and industrial waste. By combining advanced biology with digital optimisation, we deliver circular solutions that cut emissions, reduce energy use, and eliminate waste by upcycling local by-products into truly sustainable, closed-loop packaging. Bean Around Bean Around is a coffee repurposing business focused on transforming used coffee grounds into revitalising exfoliating bars, body scrubs and other high value-added products. We are challenging the prevailing linear, single use, throw away business model that is contributing significantly to current global environmental issues. Our philosophy is: rethink the problem, reimagine the solution, and redesign the product. Our goal is to shift the way people view waste, turning what was once discarded into high value-added, eco-friendly, sustainable products. Mesh Bioplastics Mesh Bioplastics develops sustainable plant-based alternatives to single use medical plastics. By designing products compatible with existing clinical waste and industrial composting processes, we enable healthcare providers to reduce reliance on fossil-derived plastics and move toward circular end-of-life solutions—minimising environmental impact without disrupting established workflows. Kinset Kinset is driving circularity in fashion through its Digital Product Passport platform. By enabling supply chain transparency, promoting repair and reuse, and guiding end-of-life recycling, Kinset empowers brands and consumers to extend product lifecycles, reduce waste, and meet EU sustainability regulations, transforming compliance into action for a more circular economy. Reloop Reloop supports CIRCULÉIRE’s mission by embedding circular practices in households, promoting access over ownership, enabling textile and e-waste recirculation, and engaging diverse stakeholders. Our data-driven, service-based model reduces waste, retains materials, and fosters systemic change, accelerating Ireland’s transition to a circular economy with measurable environmental benefits. Anula Anaula builds technology that transforms distillery wastewater into algae-based fertiliser and feed. By using algae to recover nutrients from waste, we convert pollution into a regenerative input—replacing synthetic fertilisers and unsustainable fish feed—demonstrating a closed-loop, nature-based circular economy model. Hibra Design Hibra Design develops bespoke vehicles and vehicle systems with a focus on clean technology powertrains. A core part of our offering is to reengineer fossil-fuel powered vehicles with battery-electric powertrains. This allows companies to significantly reduce operational costs; meet ESG and CSR responsibilities; create healthier working environments and increase production efficiency. European Level Funding Supports Horizon LIFE Programme Innovation Fund Circular Bio-based Europe Just Transition Fund Horizon Europe Horizon Europe is European Union’s primary funding program for research and innovation. The programme funds large scale international research projects on a variety of topics including the circular economy and sustainability. Objectives: Improving European competitiveness through innovation. Target Audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. For most call proposals you must apply as a team of at least three partner organization from three different EU or associated countries, at least one being from an EU country. Total Funding: Budget of EUR 95.5 billion for the period of 2021-2027. Availability: Funding opportunities all year around, deadlines dependent on specific calls. LEARN MORE Innovation Fund The Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low carbon technologies, especially with an emphasis on energy and industry. It focuses on projects with European added value that can bring significant emission and greenhouse gas reductions. Objectives: Support and foster innovation in low-carbon technologies and processes across Europe. Target Audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. Total Funding: The Innovation Fund’s total budget is dependent on the carbon price and it is estimated to be c.€40 billion over 2020 to 2030. Availability: Regular calls throughout the year. LEARN MORE EU LIFE Programe LIFE funding is the European fund for Environment Nature Conservation and Climate Action. LIFE funds close-to market projects providing up to 55% co-funding of project costs. Objectives: Support the transition towards a resource efficient society. Target Audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. Total Funding: Ranging from €1 million up to €5m per project. Availability: April-September (Opens 18th April 2024) LEARN MORE Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking The Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBIJU) is a €2 billion partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium which builds on the success of its’ predecessor, the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) . Objectives: Develop new technologies to transform renewable natural resources into bio-based products. Target audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. Total Funding: For 2024 the call budget is €213 million. Availability: Calls opened 24th April 2024 and close on 18th September 2024. LEARN MORE EU Just Transition Fund The EU Just Transition Fund (EUJTF) is Pillar 1 of the European Union Just Transition Mechanism. Its purpose is to assist the most affected territories in transitioning to a climate-neutral economy. In Ireland, the EUJTF supports the economic transition of the Midlands region and focuses on upskilling and employment projects in green enterprise. Target Audience(s): Private, public, and community and voluntary organisations. Total Funding: Budget of €169 million from 2021-2027. Availability: July LEARN MORE National and All-Island Funding Supports Green Transition Fund DECC CEIGS EPA Research Call Intertrade Ireland Enterprise Ireland Green Transition Fund The Green Transition Fund supports companies across each of the different aspects of their decarbonisation journey – from initial planning and capability building to investment, research, and innovation. The fund is comprised of two separate streams: The Climate Planning Fund for Business includes the following opportunities: Climate Action Voucher: €1,800 for advisory support to develop an initial sustainability/decarbonization/circular economy strategy and action plan Green Start: Up to €5,000 to fund consultancy to introduce environmental best practice systems. Green Plus: up to €50,000 support for training project to improve environmental management capability. Strategic Consultancy: Up to €35,000 support to assist large energy user to develop carbon reduction roadmap. Audience: High-potential start-ups, SME and large enterprise can apply to all the above, except from GreenPlus which is available only for SME and large enterprise. Availability: any time. The Enterprise Emissions Reduction Investment Fund include the following opportunities: Capital investment for Energy Monitoring & Tracking Systems: Up to €50,000 for companies to put in place systems to monitor energy usage. Capital Investment for Decarbonisation processes: Up to €1m to support companies to decarbonise their manufacturing combustion processes. Innovation and R&D Grants: From €5,000 innovation vouchers to large scale R&D projects in the areas of sustainability and decarbonisation. Audience: Manufacturing, SMEs and large enterprises. Availability: any time. LEARN MORE EPA Research Call 2024 The call aims to support innovative research projects to support policy-and decision-making addressing environmental, climate change and sustainability challenges. Applicant may apply under a range of broad thematic areas including facilitating a circular economy. Objectives: Enhance Ireland’s competitiveness and resilience and inform policy innovation. Target Audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. Total Funding: €14.3m awarded in 2023 Availability: April Green Enterprise Funding: Innovation for a Circular Economy The Green Enterprise funding aims to support innovators in Ireland to develop, demonstrate and implement circular economy approaches in their business models. It is managed through the EPA-led Circular Economy Programme and is co-funded by EPA Research. Objective: Support innovation projects for the implementation of circular economy approaches in business models. Target Audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. Total Funding: Up to €100,000 (this is information of 2022) Availability: 2024 Call is closed - Updates to come on 2025 Call LEARN MORE Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) The Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) is a Government of Ireland initiative led by DECC. The purpose of this grants scheme is to provide support to projects which work in the Circular Economy space, with the aim of advancing the Circular Economy in Ireland and raising awareness of its need. Objective: support Irish businesses develop circular solutions in product and service design, production. Target Audience(s): social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations and small/medium businesses (defined here as less than 50 employees). Total Funding: c.€500,000 per call with indicative grant €50,000 for 1-year projects. Availability: The 2024 call opened on 19th June 2024 and closes on 19th July 2024 LEARN MORE Intertrade Ireland Innovation Boost The Innovation Boost aims to support cross-border business on the island of Ireland through developing and embedding innovation through facilitating and funding an academic partner to help industry overcome an innovation or technology gap. Objective: Support innovation projects for the implementation of circular economy business models. Target Audience(s): Indigenous SME on manufacturing or tradeable services Total Funding: c. €50,000 Availability: All year round. Innovation Boost B2B The Innovation Boost B2B aims to support innovative cross-border partnerships and promote business collaborate to solve problems. Objective: Support innovation projects for the implementation of circular economy business models. Target Audience(s): Indigenous SME on manufacturing or tradeable services Total Funding: Provides up to €50,000 per partner. Availability: All year round. LEARN MORE LEARN MORE Policy Innovation CIRCULÉIRE's involvement in policy advisory groups and legislative discussions exemplifies our collective commitment to advancing the circular economy agenda in Ireland. Through strategic collaborations, expert representation, and thought leadership, we actively contribute to the formulation of policies that drive sustainable practices, innovation, and economic growth. As we engage with policymakers and industry stakeholders, our aim is to create an environment where circular principles thrive and pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous Ireland. At CIRCULÉIRE, we actively engage with key policy initiatives and decision-making processes that affect our Industry members to support the adoption of their circular transition in Ireland. CIRCULÉIRE team members play an active roles in advisory groups led by government and state agencies, such as the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC), the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) , the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). We contribute on behalf of Industry members with insights, knowledge, and industry experience to inform the policy decision making process DECC Construction Advisory Group DECC Textiles Advisory Group DECC Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy Advisory Group DAFM Irish Bioeconomy Forum EPA Food Waste Action Group EPA National Reuse and Repair Network NSAI National Committee on Circular Economy - NSAI/TC066

CIRCULAR BUSINESS SUPPORTS KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & POLICY ENGAGEMENTS ECOSYSTEM COLLABORATION CIRCULAR ECONOMY POLICY THOUGHT LEADERSHIP CASE STUDIES KNOWLEDGE HUB European Circular Economy Policy EU Green Deal (EGD, 12/2019) The EU Green Deal is Europe’s roadmap for making the EU’s economy sustainable – tackling climate and environmental-related challenges through a new growth strategy. It outlines the European Commissions’ commitment to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The Green Deal defines key actions, investments, and support mechanisms to support people, businesses, and regions transition to a circular economy, restoring biodiversity and cutting pollution. European Industrial Strategy (2020) The EU’s Industrial Strategy seeks to transform industry making Europe’s businesses future-fit by becoming greener, more circular (the Green Transition) and more digital (the Digital Transition) while remaining globally competitive. It emphasises the importance of leveraging the impact of the EU Single Market to drive innovation and set global standards and outlines a new SME Strategy to encourage innovation, cut red tape and provide better access to finance. EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020) The EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP 2.0) is part of the European Green Deal. It outlines a range of measures to enable sustainable products to become the EU norm starting with the following key value chains: Electronics and ICT; Batteries and Vehicles; Packaging; Plastics; Textiles; Construction, Food, Water and Nutrients. The CEAP 2.0 in conjunction with other policy frameworks aims to ensure a joined-up approach to circularity in Europe. EU Waste Framework Directive (2018) The EU Waste Framework Directive was adopted in 2008 to regulate and reduce the quantity of waste being produced in Europe. It has undergone several amendments, the latest in 2018. It defined the waste management hierarchy; explains when waste becomes a secondary raw material; encourages the reuse of products and design of products with recycled content and outlines targets for the recycling of key materials. In 2023, the EU Commission proposed a targeted amendment of the Directive, with a focus on textiles and food waste. The proposal aims to bring a more circular and sustainable management of textile waste as well as introducing EPR schemes for textiles in all EU Member States. In June 2024 the Council adopted its general approach on the Revision proposed which allows the new EU presidency to continue the process for the final text under the new legislative cycle. EU Farm to Fork Strategy (2020) The Farm to Fork Strategy is a key part of the European Green Deal and outlines how food production systems in Europe can be reshaped to ensure healthy, environmentally- friendly and fair food for all citizens. It seeks to deploy circularity in bio-based value chains, and focuses on carbon intensity, protection of soil, air, water, and reversing biodiversity loss. The strategy also seeks to ensure that fair economic returns for producers and affordable prices for end-customers. Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (2023) The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) entered into force on the 5th of January 2023. It modernizes and strengthens the non-financial reporting rules concerning social and environmental information companies must report. It also broadens the set of companies that must report to include listed SMEs and non-EU companies that generate over 150 million EUR on the EU market. Companies subject to CSRD will have to report according to the ESRS standards, and the first companies will have to apply the new rules when reporting in 2025. Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (2024) The new Ecodesign for Sustainable Regulation (ESPR) entered into force on the 18th of July 2024. It builds on the Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) and aims to promote more environmentally sustainable and circular products. The ESPR establishes a framework to set eco-design requirements for specific product groups to improve their circularity, energy performance, and other environmental sustainability aspects. The ESPR also introduces the Digital Product Passport (DPP) (art.9), a tool to provide comprehensive digital information about a product’s sustainability throughout its entire lifecycle. Right to Repair Directive (2024) The Right to Repair Directive adopted by the European Council on the 30th of May of 2024 aims to ensure that consumers are able to seek repair instead of replacement when a product is broken or defective. Some of its main elements are: incentives for producers to prolong life cycles of products, a right for consumers to request that manufacturers repair products that are technically repairable under EU law, a free-of-charge EU repair information form, and online repair platform to connect consumers with repairs and the extension by 12 months of the seller’s liability period after the repair of a product. National Circular Economy Policy Climate Action Plan (2019) Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan was published in 2019, to address the impacts of climate disruption. It includes a chapter on Waste and the Circular Economy. This is the first time an Irish policy recognized the need to adopt circular economy principles and mandated the development of a Circular Economy Policy and Action Plan for Ireland, inspired by the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan. Climate Action & Low Carbon Development Act (2021) The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act turn climate commitment into a law and set out a specific target for Ireland of net-zero emissions no later than 2050 and to a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030, doubling the ambition of the 2019 Action Plan. The Climate Action Plan 2021 set out a detailed sectoral roadmap to achieve Ireland’s net-zero targets. This Plan is revised and updated yearly. Waste Action Plan for Circular Economy (2020) The Waste Action Plan for Circular Economy is Ireland's strategic waste planning and management roadmap. This plan aims to move away from a waste disposal focus and promote a circular economy, preserving resources for longer. The plan outlines the sector's role in achieving the CAP 2019 and includes measures and targets for various waste areas. Additionally, the plan promises to publish a Whole-Government Circular Economy Strategy Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy (2022-23) The Whole Government Circular Economy Strategy published in December 2021 is Ireland's first national strategy which establishes a policy framework to guide the transition towards a circular economy in all sectors and encourages public sector leadership in embracing circularity. In the strategy, the concept of a circular economy is explained, along with the reasons why Ireland must achieve it, and how national policy will be developed to support this objective. The next Whole of Government CE Strategy is anticipated to undergo public consultation and go before government before the end of 2024. Circular Economy & Miscellaneous Provisions Act (2022) The Circular Economy Act 2022 is a landmark legislation in Ireland that defines the Circular Economy for the first time in Irish domestic law. It establishes comprehensive regulations and economic measures to help Ireland transition into circularity. The Act places the Circular Economy Strategy on a statutory footing, making the ongoing development of circular economy policy a legal requirement of the Government. It also re-designates the existing Environment Fund as a Circular Economy Fund to support environmental and circular economy projects. National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap (2023-2025) The National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap sets out actions to achieve a reduction of 50% in Ireland's food waste by 2030. The development of this roadmap was one of the commitments in Ireland's Waste Action Plan for Circular Economy (2020). The Food Waste Prevention Roadmap sets out priority actions to focus on food waste prevention across key sectors in the food supply chain. It also looks at the role of the public sector in tackling food waste by improving procurement practices. National Bioeconomy Action Plan (2023) In 2018, as part of Project Ireland 2040, the government published the first National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy which set out a vision, common principles, strategic objectives, and an implementation framework to develop the bioeconomy across relevant sectors. It established a Bioeconomy Implementation Group (BIG), co-chaired by DECC and DAFM. The subsequent National Bioeconomy Action Plan 2023-2025 has a strong focus on bringing sustainable scientific practices, technologies, and biobased innovation into use on farms and by biobased industries in Ireland – including leveraging circularity principles. National Waste Management Plan for Circular Economy (2024-30) The National Waste Management Plan for Circular Economy, published in March 2024, sets out the framework for the prevention and management of waste in Ireland from 2024 to 2030. The Plan outlines specific targets, policies, and actions to accelerate the transition toward a circular economy. It includes circular economy targets such as reuse, repair, and resource consumption. Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027 (2024) The Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan for the period 2024-207 was published in Ireland on the 4th of April of 2024. It aims to enhance sustainable procurement practices within the public sector, leveraging its substantial purchasing power to drive environmental and circular objectives. This plan replaces the “Green Tenders” policy and aligns with broader national circular and climate strategies. Key components include setting sector-specific targets, implementing comprehensive monitoring and reporting mechanism, providing training and awareness program and fostering market engagement and innovation. Sectoral Guides Sectoral Guides are resources that provide information, guidance, and best practice examples in a particular industry or sector. Our Good Practice Sectoral Guides series aim to educate and highlight the best Circular Economy practices in a variety of sectors. They are essential reading for both industry and policy stakeholders who are invested in the progression of a Circular Economy in Ireland. 2024 Unpacking the Circular Innovation Opportunities for Ireland's MedTech Sector This guide provides MedTech stakeholders with an understanding of the Circular Economy (CE), its necessity, and the opportunities it presents for value creation. It explores the drivers, enablers, and barriers to CE adoption in Europe and Ireland, offering strategies to transition effectively. Policymakers gain insights into key enablers and industry challenges, fostering collaboration to accelerate CE implementation in the MedTech sector. 2023 Towards a Circular Economy of Water This guide equips industry leaders with practical Circular Economy of Water (CEW) strategies, empowering them to drive sustainability and resource efficiency. Policymakers, gain insights and industry perspectives to accelerate CEW implementation through collaborative action. 2022 Circular Road and Rail Good Practice Sectoral Guide We explore global innovations in circular road & rail, sparking inspiration for Ireland's future. Industry leaders, discover practical strategies to optimise resource use and minimise waste. Policymakers, gain insights into international circular economy success stories shaping the future of mobility. 2022 Circular ICT /EEE Good Practice Sectoral Guide This guide empowers you to navigate the circular ICT & EEE shift and to discover best practices, funding opportunities, and educational resources to fuel your transition. We identify key barriers and learn from Irish companies leading the way. Policymakers will find insights to design supportive regulations and incentives. 2022 Circular Aviation Good Practice Sectoral Guide This guide showcases global innovations that are transforming the aviation industry towards circularity. Irish stakeholders will discover how to adopt these circular practices to optimise resource use and reduce waste. Policymakers will gain insights into international policies that are driving positive change in aviation sustainability. 2022 Circular Maritime & Shipping Good Practice Sectoral Guide Discover global innovations transforming the Irish shipping industry towards circularity. Explore practical strategies to optimise resource use and reduce waste. For broader industries relying on Ireland's sea links, learn more about the potential to minimize your Scope 3 emissions. 2021 Circular Food & Drinks Good Practice Sectoral Guide We explore cutting-edge innovations revolutionising the food & drinks industry. Discover Irish and global best practices to minimise waste, optimise resources, and embrace circularity. Unleash new opportunities for your business while protecting our planet. 2021 Circular Construction & Built Environment Good Practice Sectoral Guide We explore innovative solutions transforming construction globally, from recycled materials to modular design. Irish stakeholders, discover practical ways to optimise resources and minimise waste in your projects. 2021 Circular Fashion & Textiles Good Practice Sectoral Guide Explore innovative solutions reshaping fashion globally, from recycled materials to upcycling trends. Irish stakeholders, unlock opportunities to close the loop and minimise textile waste. 2021 Circular Agriculture & Biobased Industries Sectoral Good Practice Guide Discover global pioneers driving the circular shift in agriculture and biobased industries. Irish stakeholders, unleash your potential to reduce waste, optimise resources, and unlock new business models. Embrace a more sustainable future for Ireland's agricultural & biobased landscape. Thematic Working Groups Each year CIRUCLÉIRE designs and deliver Thematic Working Group interactive sessions based on topics chosen by our network participants to support their transition to the circular economy. The aim of Thematic Working Groups is to: Demystify the circular economy, raising awareness of relevant policy and industry best practices to equip businesses to make informed decisions Unlock the opportunities and barriers to scaling up circular innovation in Ireland Co-develop actionable outputs and recommendations to support the transition of Irish Industry towards circularity Foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking amongst the CIRCULÉIRE network and key stakeholders in Ireland’s circular economy ecosystem Share a pipeline of circular opportunities to inspire circular innovation in Irish industry Our Thematic Working Groups are delivered by the CIRCULÉIRE team within Irish Manufacturing Research, in collaboration with select expert facilitators or guest speakers. A multi-sectoral panel including industry representatives, policy makers, regulators, and academics are guided through a collaborative peer learning and knowledge-sharing process to obtain a detailed understanding of the selected topic. 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Circular Economy, Product Lifecycle Thinking & Sustainable Product Regulation Designing products and services with a circular economy mindset, considering the entire lifecycle of products from design to disposal, and creating value through sustainable and innovative business practices. Contributors: Aisling McCarthy Dept Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Vojtech Vosecky Circle Economy Digitalisation & Digital Product Passport Using latest digital technologies to optimise the use of resources, reduce waste, and increase efficiency in the supply chain. Importance of data-driven decision-making and how digitisation can support transparency and traceability in the supply chain, as well as ensuring your business is ready to adapt to future EU regulatory changes such as Digital Product Passports. Contributors: Amba Concheso DSS+ Dr Rembrant Kopplaar EcoWise Measuring Circularity Exploring the main measurement approaches and tools for measuring circularity, such as life cycle assessment, material flow analysis, and circularity indicators. Outlining the process of measuring progress in the circular economy, and whether and how impact is highly dependent on the goals, reach, and target audiences of circular economy practitioners. Contributors: Shane Colgan EEA Dr John Gallagher TCD Circular Packaging Packaging waste is a key priority highlighted in both the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and the Irish Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy . The plans identify packaging as a prime target for the Extended Producer Responsibility model, placing the onus on producers to minimize waste. In 2021, packaging waste generated in the EU was estimated at 18.7kg per inhabitant with significant variations between countries. Irish inhabitants are amongst the top generators of packaging waste across Europe producing 1.2 million tonnes. The Circular Packaging Thematic Working Group, co-designed and delivered by CIRCULÉIRE and Mabbett & Associates Ltd guided participants through a series of meetings, ideation workshops and webinars. These sessions aimed at identifying circular innovation opportunities where Irish industry can reduce or replace their primary, secondary and tertiary packaging waste with more re-usable, re-fillable or recyclable packaging systems. Expert Co- Facilitators: Mabbett & Associates Ltd Circular Plastics While plastics offer advantages like affordability, durability, and versatility, their single-use nature and low recycling rates create significant challenges. These challenges include lost material value, harm to wildlife, and negative impacts on our environment and health. Out of 30 million tonnes of plastic waste collected annually in Europe, only 5 million are recycled into new products. The remaining plastic is incinerated, landfilled, or exported. To meet the ambitious European Green Deal objectives, much more plastic waste needs to be recycled and more sustainable, non-toxic and viable material substitutes also need to be found. The chemical industry plays a crucial role in this transition by advancing all forms of plastic recycling – mechanical, chemical, and organic. Similarly, emerging innovations in green chemistry are leading the way for industry to substitute fossil-fuel derived plastics with non-toxic, bio-based alternatives from renewable sources. The Circular Plastics Thematic Working Group, delivered by CIRCULÉIRE in collaboration with TUS’s Material Research Institute, guided participants through a series of meetings, ideation workshops and webinars aimed at identifying industry-led innovation opportunities to circularise Ireland’s plastics economy. Expert Co- Facilitators: TUS’s Material Research Institute Circular Design Circular design, a core principle of the circular economy, is a key priority in both the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and Ireland's Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. Crucial for developing sustainable products and services, circular design focuses on repairability, recyclability, and readily available spare parts. This allows existing products to be redesigned for a circular economy, minimizing waste throughout the value chain. design for repair and recycling; including availability of spare parts, and removing barriers to reuse and repair, so that current products and services can be redesigned with circularity at their core. Furthermore, circular design plays an important role in enabling producers to design out waste and pollution. It also features prominently in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) measures contained in the Government of Ireland’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, which recognises the importance of eco and smart design. The Circular Design Thematic Working Group, designed and delivered by CIRUCLÉIRE in collaboration with Dr Simon O’Rafferty of M-CO guided participants through a series of meetings, ideation workshops and webinars that shared circular innovation opportunities, highlighting major barriers that hold back circular design in Ireland and what’s needed to overcome them. Moreover, it provided an incentive to producers to design products that contribute to waste prevention and facilitate recycling by considering their durability, reparability, reusability, recyclability and the presence of hazardous substances. Expert Co- Facilitators: Dr Simon O’Rafferty M-CO End-of-Waste, By-Products & Waste Licensing Pathfinder End-of-waste and by-product notifications play a key role in fostering circular economy in Ireland. They establish a marketplace for diverse secondary raw materials, improve resource management, encourage symbiotic industrial practices, and divert resources from landfills. By keeping valuable materials circulating within the economy, successful end-of-waste and by-product applications can significantly reduce the environmental burden of waste disposal. However, a lack of understanding around policy regulation of end-of-waste and by-products is a barrier to engagement and successful applications in Irish Industries. To address this, CIRCULÉIRE and expert facilitator Karl Hylands of Re-Mine Limited, guided participants through a series of meetings, including two ideation workshops, a policy roundtable and a webinar. These sessions aimed to unlock the potential of using end-of-waste and by-products & waste licensing to advance circular economy in Ireland. Expert Co-Facilitators: Karl Hylands Re-Mine Ltd Financing the Circular Economy The transition to a circular economy hinges on increased access to circular finance and funding. Yet for both industry and the financial sectors significant hurdles still exist. Current regulations, markets, and financing practices are geared towards linear economic models. Risk assessments fail to account for the positive externalities of circular business models, often perceiving them as risky and not bankable, hindering access to funding. While an increasing number of circular finance instruments are coming on stream, there is a need to take a holistic, pipeline approach to developing the funding and financial landscape that caters to the diverse needs of circular businesses. Additionally, developing financial instruments and risk assessment tools specifically designed for circular innovations is essential to raise awareness and educate the financial sector is essential for transition to occur. In this Thematic Working Group, CIRCULÉIRE in collaboration with expert facilitators Elizabeth Gavin and Kate Van Der Merwe, brought together key stakeholders together from industry and the financial, funding and enterprise support ecosystem to jointly explore what opportunities there are to optimise the circular finance & funding landscape, so that it best supports Irish industry’s transition to a circular economy. Expert Co- Facilitators: Elizabeth Gavin Eur Digital Village /Kilpatrick Innovation Kate Van Der Merwe Circular Bioeconomy The terms "bioeconomy" and "circular economy" have become hot topics in recent years, offering promising solutions to environmental challenges like climate change and pollution, while fostering economic and regional development. The European Bioeconomy Strategy defines it as "the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into food, feed, bio-based products, and bioenergy" (2012). This encompasses a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, forestry, and even parts of the chemical and energy industries. Ireland has abundant bioresources that presents immense opportunities for the development of a circular bioeconomy. To explore these opportunities, the CIRCULÉIRE Circular Bioeconomy Thematic Working Group collaborated with the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation to guide participants through a series of meetings, ideation workshops and webinars to explore the opportunities available in Ireland and the broader EU. Expert Co- Facilitators: Irish Bioeconomy Foundation Industrial Symbiosis Industrial Symbiosis – one company or sector using the underutilised resources from another to keep the resources in productive use for longer – can boost economic, environmental, and social benefits, while accelerating the transition to a circular economy. To promote the uptake of industrial symbiosis in Ireland, CIRCULÉIRE in collaboration with Internation Synergies, introduced participants to the concept and implementation of industrial symbiosis in Ireland. This was done through guided meetings, ideation workshops, and webinars that included examples of industry best practice and an exploration of innovative opportunities. Expert Co- Facilitators: International Synergies Circular Procurement Circular procurement goes beyond simply buying products and services. It's a strategic process where organisations source works, goods, or services that contribute to closed-loop supply chains. Minimising negative environmental impacts and waste throughout the entire life cycle, from acquisition to disposal. While the public sector has embraced procurement as policy tool to drive sustainability, many private sector organisations are unknowingly implementing circular procurement in their purchasing practices. Market collaboration, life-cycle assessments, total cost of ownership (TCO) and total costs of usership (TCU) models, green and circular criteria in specifications, and end-of-life product management are all examples of circular procurement in action. In this Thematic Working Group, CIRCULÉIRE and expert facilitators, IDDEA, guided participants through a series of meetings, ideation workshops and webinars that shared circular innovation opportunities and understanding the current and future circular procurement opportunities in Ireland. Expert Co- Facilitators: IDDEA Remanufacturing & Recirculation Strategies The theme for this conversation was “Remanufacturing” and the Recirculation Strategies,” and it focused on innovative approaches to extend the lifecycle of products and materials through the Recirculation Strategies. This TWG offered foundational knowledge on Remanufacturing, highlighted industry-specific opportunities and potential challenges, while showcasing best practices and case studies, and discussed regulatory frameworks and policy recommendations. Contributors: Prof.Winifred Ijomah Scottish Institute for Remanufacturing, University of Strathclyde Dr David Peck TU Delft Dr Damian Coughlan University of Limerick David Fitzsimons European Remanufacturing Council Case Studies Our collection of case studies present inspirational examples of how our members in Ireland, and businesses from all over the world, are leading the charge in transforming our economy to one that minimises environmental damage while maximising economic value. Our case studies cover some of the actions taken by organisations who are only beginning their journey to circularity, right the way up to global leaders well advanced on the path. Wherever you are on your own journey, there is inspiration here for everyone. AUTOMOTIVE BUILT ENVIRONMENT FOOD & BEVERAGE ELECTRONICS PLASTICS TEXTILES MEDTECH WASTE CLEAN TECHNOLOGY PACKAGING Knowledge Library CIRCULÉIRE's open-access knowledge library is the central hosting spot for a wide range of circular economy resources, including: Case Studies Best Practice Guides Key Design Guides Circular Economy Policy Documents National & EU Circular Economy Action Plans and Strategies And much more… Whether you are a captain of industry, an entrepreneur with a great idea, or a policy maker signposting the way, there is something useful here for you. Go to Library

CIRCULAR BUSINESS SUPPORTS KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & POLICY ENGAGEMENTS ECOSYSTEM COLLABORATION Innovation Pilots From 2020 to 2022, CIRCULÉIRE actively supported the development of a circular economy in Ireland through a dedicated €1.5 million Innovation Pilot Project Fund. This initiative, backed by our strategic partners DECC, EPA, and EIT Climate-KIC, funded 10 large-scale, system-wide innovation projects within the CIRCULÉIRE network. The Innovation Pilot Project Fund aimed to identify, test, and scale innovative circular solutions, with a focus on circular manufacturing systems, supply chains, and circular business models. Over the lifespan of this pilot, nine network participants were awarded funding to explore circularity within their sectors and collaborated with fellow CIRCULÉIRE participants and actors from the external circular ecosystem to bring their projects to life. To learn more about upcoming calls for proposals, application processes, and deadlines, keep an eye on CIRCULÉIRE's Latest News section (Inc link to news) and social media channels. See below for an overview of the successful circular economy demonstration projects funded by CIRCULÉIRE's Innovation Pilot Project Fund. 2022 2021 2020 Circular by Design Project Lead: Design & Crafts Council of Ireland Project Partner: National College of Art and Design The global textiles and apparel industry is the joint third highest emitter of greenhouse gases globally and operates in an almost completely linear ‘take-make-waste’ system. To address this challenge, The Design and Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) and the Creative Futures Academy (CFA) came together to design and launch ‘Circular By Design’; a first-of-a-kind training programme that supports textile and fashion designers, brands and manufacturers to make the transition to circular practices in every step of their design practice, value chain and business model. In its pilot year, Circular By Design equipped Irish businesses with the necessary knowledge and skills to create materials, products, and entire business models built on circularity principles. Participants gained a foundational understanding of the circular economy and redesign their value propositions, materials, products, services, and business models for a more sustainable future. Circularising Single Use Plastics (C-SUP) Project Lead: Novelplast Project Partners: Irish Green Labs | Technical University of the Shannon | CÚRAM University of Galway | Connacht-Ulster Waste Regional Waste Office | Eventec | Climate 23 Irish laboratories rely heavily on large quantities of high-quality, carbon-intensive, single-use plastics. Most of this plastic, often polypropylene pipette tips, comes from Germany, the UK, or the US, and is incinerated in Ireland after just one use. A national audit carried out by University of Galway and Irish Manufacturing Research identified these pipette tips as the most common plastic lab waste. The C-SUP demonstration project tackled this challenge by turning these single-use polypropylene plastics into a valuable feedstock for Irish recyclers. Creating a circular system where lab waste becomes a resource, empowering researchers to minimize their environmental impact. Through dissemination via the Irish Green Labs network, the project aims to make purchasing recycled polypropylene labware the standard practice across thousands of Irish laboratories. READ CASE STUDY READ CASE STUDY Do More with Less Project Lead: Farrell Furniture Project Partners: Atlantic Technological University Connemara | Office of Public Works This collaborative furniture take-back and remanufacturing project is an innovative shift towards green procurement by the Irish Government. Through a collaborative effort, Do More with Less, aims to develop and implement circularity within the public sector. There are two streams within this project. Stream One – Remanufacturing for Continued Use : Obsolete office furniture that was created by Farrell Furniture in the mid 2000’s is retrieved from the OPW. It is then repaired, remanufactured, and redistributed through the public sector. Stream Two – Preserving Design Heritage: The Crannac Chair, a classic chair design that is no longer produced will be studied and reverse-engineered by ATU Connemara. Allowing their future repair and reuse and keeping a classic piece of Irish Design in use for many years to come. READ 'DO MORE WITH LESS' CASE STUDY READ 'CRANNAC CHAIR' CASE STUDY Medical Devices a New Life (MEDAL) Project Lead: Offerre Project Partners: FPD Recycling | University of Limerick The healthcare sector is a significant contributor to environmental pollution, responsible for roughly 4.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. An increased reliance on single-use medical devices, particularly in high-income countries, has had a large impact on this. The collection high-cost and low-volume of these devices has left traditional take-back schemes are often abandoned by producers. MEDAL offers a cost-efficient reprocessing system that extends the lifespan of medical devices without compromising on product integrity or strict reprocessing protocols. Designed with key stakeholders and regulations in mind, the system prioritises high performance, user convenience, producer engagement, and overall system integrity. The Pilot assesses automation solutions for cleaning and de-manufacturing and supports the circular design of products and packaging. The system also provides a cloud-based platform allowing device consumers to interact with the producers. READ CASE STUDY Upcycled Insulation Project Lead: Cirtex Ltd Project Partners: Tipperary County Council | Clothes Pod (https://www.clothespod.ie/ ) | Interior Creations Every year, tens of thousands of tonnes of mattresses, furniture, bedding, and industrial offcuts are sent to waste in Ireland. Currently, Ireland has no answer to upcycling this end-of life material. Cirtex is a new Irish company that is seeking to turn this soft padding material into insulation and other useful products that can be further upcycled when they reach their “end of life”. The Upcycled Insulation project, in collaboration with Tipperary County Council, Clothes POD, and Interior Creations, demonstrates how to effectively collect these materials from the public in a clean and efficient manner and convert it into high-quality insulation for housing and padding for furniture and bedding companies. This solution not only diverts massive amounts of waste from landfill, but also provides the construction, furniture, and bedding industries with a sustainable alternative for their production needs. READ CASE STUDY Circular Economy & The Power of Many Project Lead: Freefoam Building Products Project Partners: Glenveagh | Mulligan Guttering | Shabra Recycling In 2021, the EU generated an estimated 188.7 kg of packaging waste per inhabitant, with construction packaging waste playing a significant role. READ MORE The CE Power of Many initiative aims to implement a take-back scheme for unused roofline building products and packaging delivered to construction sites to prevent waste ending up in landfills. Freefoam, CE Power of Many Project Lead, are implementing this take-back scheme for the left-over products and packaging associated with their products. Furthermore, they are reviewing existing packaging to optimise its recovery and reuse. This project has also led Freefoam to partner with Shabra Plastics to develop a closed loop system from Freefoam’s production plant in Cork to Shabra’s plant in Monaghan, for all PE-LD and cardboard that flows into Freefoam. READ CASE STUDY RoboCRM | Advanced Robotics To Capture Critical Raw Materials In WEEE Recycling For A Circular Economy Project Lead: FPD Recycling Project Partners: University of Limerick | Robotics & Drives In the Electronics and Electric Equipment (EEE) sector, great strides are already being made towards circularity through the increased growth of WEEE recycling. Current methods however, struggle to recover all valuable Critical Raw Materials (CRM) from electronic devices. Modern appliances often have integrated batteries which cannot be easily accessed or removed. During WEEE recycling the process to harvest appliance batteries and their CRMs can be dangerous and inefficient for humans to carry out. RoboCRM uses non-destructive, AI powered detection methods and pattern recognition to identify and sort batteries and electronics containing batteries from the main WEEE stream. Allowing for safer and more efficient processing, and a higher recovery rate of CRMs in the recycling process, closing the loop on battery recycling in the WEEE system. READ CASE STUDY SUCCESS Sustainable Use of Carbon Contributes to Environmentally Sustainable Systems Project Lead: Dawn Meats Project Partners: BHSL Waste Solutions | University of Limerick Dawn Meats, one of Europe’s largest food processing companies, produces over 430,000 tonnes of added value meat products annually. Through their SUCCESS Pilot Project, they aim to transform Ireland's meat processing sector into a circular economy model by maximising renewable energy from by-products and residues. Partnering with BHSL, a proven technology provider in the poultry sector, and researchers from the University of Limerick, SUCCESS has identified the potential to transform animal by-products and sludge into green energy through BHSL's small-scale, energy conversion technology. SUCCESS seeks to deliver Ireland’s first circular meat processing demonstration plant extracting maximum renewable energy from processing side-streams and residues while creating a high-value end product to service the growing biofertilizer sector. READ CASE STUDY CESI Circular Economy Skills Initiative Project Lead: WEEE Ireland Project Partners: Fasttrack into IT | White Goods Association Repair to extend a product’s lifecycle is a core element of functional circular economy. For repair to be a viable option in White Goods WEEE however, there needs to be skilled workforce capable of carrying out maintenance on appliances, a service that is lacking in Ireland. The Circular Economy Skills Initiative (CESI) project addresses the skills and training bottleneck that exists by developing the first QQI-accredited appliance repair qualification course in Ireland, upskilling and training much needed repair and reuse specialists. CESI was developed with support and input from the White Goods Association ensuring that the training and modules would address industry requirements and provide the most value to participants and consumers alike. READ CASE STUDY Lithium Long Life Battery (LLLB) Project Lead: WEEE Ireland Project Partners: Wisetek | KMK Metals Long-Life Lithium Batteries (LLLBs) from electric vehicles (EVs), IT equipment, and energy storage systems offer a valuable resource for a more circular Irish economy. After reaching their first life (typically 7-10 years in EVs), these batteries still hold significant potential. The LLLB-CE project aims to unlock this potential by establishing a comprehensive LLLB management system in Ireland, allowing for the safe removal, collection, sorting, and discharging of these batteries. Developing this process and training more people in the environmental management of LLLB will create employment opportunities across the sector. Encouraging new training pathways for circular economy upskilling of current operatives in the material sorting and recycling sector in Ireland. READ CASE STUDY

CIRCULÉIRE members and team visiting Celtic Renewables on Sighthill Ct, Edinburgh on 10th November 2025. Irish Manufacturing Research, in our capacity as the secretariat of CIRCULÉIRE in collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland, curated a multi-sectoral circular innovation exchange in September 2025 for our industry members which included multiple site visits to Scottish circularity pioneers.     During this two day trip to Scotland we travelled to Celtic Renewables in Grangemouth, to see how a lab project has grown into Scotland’s first industrial biorefinery. What began in test tubes and 50ml flasks has scaled to 100,000-litre fermenters, operating 24/7 and shipping green chemicals to customers in pharma, cosmetics, and industry.     What They Do    Celtic Renewables adapts the ABE fermentation (Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol) process to use waste and by-products instead of food crops. This makes the process both more sustainable and more commercially viable.     Key feedstocks include:     Whisky by-products (pot ale, draff)   Reject potatoes (unfit for sale or processing)   Molasses from sugar production     These are converted into bio-acetone, bio-butanol, and bioethanol — chemicals essential to modern life but currently made almost entirely from fossil fuels.     From Research to Reality    Celtic Renewables spun out of Edinburgh Napier University and was founded by Prof. Martin Tangney. Backed by a mix of private investors, government support, and crowdfunding, the company has grown from lab trials to full-scale demonstration. CEO Mark Simmers highlighted how difficult but vital financing was in getting the Grangemouth plant operational.     Circular & Environmental Benefits    Over 60% lower emissions compared with petrochemical equivalents   Waste streams become valuable inputs, cutting transport miles and supporting farmers   Potential to capture hydrogen and CO₂ by-products, further enhancing circularity   Integration with anaerobic digestion could deliver even greater efficiency and value     Why It Matters for Ireland ?  Celtic Renewables proves that by-products from distilling and agri-food can be transformed into high-value green chemicals at scale. Ireland, with its strong feedstock base and industrial clusters, is well positioned to adapt and replicate this model and explore industrial symbiosis opportunities particularly between the pharma and Agri-Food & Drinks Sector.     Conclusion    Celtic Renewables shows what happens when research, investment, and policy align: a proven process, real carbon savings, and tangible circular benefits. For Ireland, the opportunity is clear.  Our industries can seize similar models and lead in the shift to greener chemistry whilst creating jobs, cutting emissions and advancing the circular bioeconomy.     IMR in its capacity as designer and lead of CIRCULÉIRE are delighted to represent our members as circular economy experts in DAFM’s National Bioeconomy Implementation Forum which explores how to scale circular bioeconomy in Ireland.      🔗 Learn More     2021 Circular Bioeconomy Report   (This report was co-designed and delivered by IMR in collaboration with the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation who are developing the National Bioeconomy Campus in Lisheen Mine).   2021 Circular Food & Drinks Good Practice Sectoral Guide   2021 Circular Agriculture & Biobased Industries Good Practice Sectoral Guide   For a great example of a CIRCULÉIRE member pioneering biotech solutions, take a look at Niskus Biotech or our case studies on Irish agrifood companies pioneering the bioeconomy such as Meade Farm  and Monaghan Mushrooms .      #CircularEconomy #LetsGetCircular #GreenChemicals #Innovation #CircularBioEconomy #Biorefinery #CoLocation #IndustrialSymbiosis

Jackie Rafferty (HPE) welcoming and hosting CIRCULÉIRE members and team during their visit to the HPE facilities on Erskine Ferry Road, Bishopton, Scotland, on on 9th November 2025. Irish Manufacturing Research, in our capacity as the secretariat of CIRCULÉIRE in collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland, curated a multi-sectoral circular innovation exchange in September 2025 for our industry members which included multiple site visits to Scottish circularity pioneers.     During this international trip we visited HPE’s Technology Renewal Centre in Erskine, where they are redefining how we view aged IT such as laptops and servers - treating used technology not as waste, but as a valuable resource. Through their Technology Renewal Centres, HPE extend the lifecycle of equipment, unlock funds from existing technology and return that value to their customers.       Why does this matter?   E-waste is no longer just a waste management problem.  It is a strategic, economic, and environmental challenge. According to The Global E-Waste Monitor 2024 , the world generated 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022, an 82% increase since 2010 and is on track to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030. Despite Europe having the highest collection rate globally (42.8%), over half of e-waste still escapes formal systems, resulting in lost critical raw materials and avoidable emissions.      The problem to solve    Much of today’s discarded IT equipment such as laptops, desktops, monitor and servers still hold significant economic and functional value. Premature disposal leads to resource depletion, increased demand for virgin materials, and escalating CO₂ emissions from manufacturing new devices. In Ireland, per capita e-waste generation is among the highest in the world (20,6 kg per person), yet collection rates remain under 50% .      Circular strategies: a better way forward    Recycling alone cannot close the gap. Circular strategies and practices like as-is reuse, refurbishment, and remanufacturing can keep ICT products in use for longer, extending life-spans and reducing the need for virgin resource extraction.     Reuse ensures devices find a second life through redeployment or resale as-is.   Refurbishment inspects reported faults with a view to restoring equipment to a high-quality for resale / extended life.   Remanufacturing goes further by rebuilding products to a guaranteed to perform “as new” standards whilst saving costs and related emissions.     These circular strategies offer measurable business and environmental benefits, including lower total cost of ownership and reduced Scope 3 emissions.  Over the past 3 years, HPE returned 9.5 million IT assets (including laptops, servers) to use achieving a 96% resale rate for laptops and 84% for servers.  Interestingly what is key to HPE’s takeback and resale success is the financing they provide companies to rekit their new products whilst taking back their outdated ICT – an approach that could be replicated by others.    Irish Context - Role of EPRs & Public Procurement as a Catalyst   In an Irish context, WEEE Ireland , one of the two national e-waste Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance schemes, is moving beyond a recycling-first approach to embrace as-is reuse, repair, refurbishment, and remanufacturing initiatives to co-develop the Irish circular electronics and IT ecosystems required to keep products in use for longer and unlock greater value from recovered materials.      Ireland’s Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria for ICT (2024) include clear requirements for the supply of refurbished or remanufactured equipment, enabling the Public Sector to lead by example, embedding circularity into procurement frameworks, setting market expectations, and stimulating demand for circular business models.       What can you do?     Whether you’re in the public or private sector, now is the time to reimagine your IT asset strategy: think beyond traditional ownership, explore leasing and as-a-service models, integrate remanufactured and refurbished equipment into your procurement and IT Asset Disposition  strategies. This strategy defines how an organisation securely, responsibly, and efficiently manages end of life IT assets. It covers data sanitisation, reuse, refurbishment, resale, recycling and compliant disposal to minimise data risk, reduce environmental impact, and maximise recover value.    By giving ICT technology a longer use-life, we can protect critical raw materials , reduce emissions, and unlock value, demonstrating that waste can be transformed into a resource.   IMR are proud to be leading the Irish pilot of the Interreg NWE CircularShift project which seeks to accelerate the transition to a circular economy by scaling up circular procurement practices for frequently purchased public-sector products such as phones, laptops, and workwear across 5 regions Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Ireland.     In 2026 IMR will reach out to organizations across Ireland's public procurement landscape and value chain partners to understand training needs and unlock new opportunities. We will also establish a dynamic working group centered on a procurement pilot for laptops or phones and host an innovative "Meet Your Supplier" event.  Watch this space for details as plans take shape!   🔗 Learn More     CIRCULÉIRE (2024) Remanufacturing Insights Report    CIRCULEIRE (2022) Circular ICT /EEE Good Practice Sectoral Guide   CIRCULÉIRE Member Case Study – Green IT

CIRCULÉIRE members and team visiting Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE‑ST) on Watt Place, Glasgow, Scotland, on 10th November 2025. Irish Manufacturing Research, in our capacity as the secretariat of CIRCULÉIRE in collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland, curated a multi-sectoral circular innovation exchange in September 2025 for our industry members which included multiple site visits to Scottish circularity pioneers.     Whilst in Glasgow in we visited with two organisations who have been rolling their sleeves up on how best to direct cutting-edge circular innovation practices to transform the construction sector. Built Environment - Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) is Scotland's national innovation centre for construction and the built environment which is also home to the Mass Timber Centre of Excellence – a centre which exists to redesign Scotland’s approach to delivering the built environment to meet the demands of climate change and the housing crisis and also lead the neighbouring Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre.     The background   The construction sector’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions account for  approximately 40% of global GHG emissions   – about one-third from the construction phase, and the remaining two-thirds from buildings in use ( WEF, 2021 ). Here in Ireland, we are simultaneously facing a severe shortage of housing. Recent Housing Commission estimates find underlying shortages range from 212,500 to 256,000 homes ( Social Justice Ireland, 2024 ).     Reducing the emissions and environmental footprint of the sector - whilst steadily meeting the scale of demand - requires innovative ways to build more sustainable, low-impact and affordable housing at scale and speed.     At BE-ST, we spoke with Hannah Lundstrom, Impact Manager, who highlighted the significant impacts of the built environment on people and planet: the UK construction sector contributes 45% of emissions, 50% of waste, and 60% of material consumption. BE-ST seeks to transform the sector, focusing on circular economy projects, off-site manufacturing, sustainable, bio-based materials (like cross-laminate timber and hemp insultation) and retrofits. Key achievements to date include generating £1.8 billion in additional revenue and launching 386 new products, including a brick made from recycled construction waste.    The promise of these solutions is clear. Take for instance the Nest House prototype - a sustainable, quick, and efficient timber modular housing solution – which can be fully fabricated for around £70K in under three days. The prototype is the result of a partnership with Social Bite, a charity with a mission to end homelessness, which partnered with Ecosystems Technologies to create an innovative housing solution for their Social Bite Villages. In early 2026, one such ‘Recovery Village’ will be created in Dundee Village, offering fifteen houses, a communal community hub to support people struggling with homelessness and addiction.      The homes are net-zero carbon and built with local, sustainable materials, supporting both the environment and local economies. While still niche, this approach presents a blueprint for how we might tackle homelessness - by providing affordable housing rapidly, integrating circular innovation, local supply chains, and minimal on-site disruption. The villages also offer a holistic housing-first type solution for those facing homelessness and addiction, by creating a communal support system, including skills training and recovery services. Social Bite plans to expand with new villages in Dundee and South Lanarkshire by 2026.    Just a couple of hundred metres away, we visited another lighthouse example of circular construction in practice - Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre. Also led by BE-ST and supported by the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund, it offers a fabric-first approach using natural, locally sourced and sustainable materials alongside modern construction methods. The Centre is poised to tackle yet another major barrier facing the sector – the shortage of skilled labour. Parallels with the challenges facing us here in Ireland are evident here too: we will needs thousands of workers to be trained with retrofitting skills to hit our 2030 targets of upgrading 500,000 houses to a B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) or better . The Centre offers apprenticeships, trainings and a learning hub to equip a new generation of workers with the necessary skills to future-fit our homes.     Our recent trip demonstrates the value in ongoing learning and exchange with our international neighbours about novel and holistic approaches to meet the scale of the challenges ahead and IMR is poised to collaborate with key ecosystem stakeholders like Irish Green Building Council, WoodConnect, Construct Innovate and Mount Lucas Training Centre to further the deployment of circular practices in the construction sector.       🔗 Learn More     CIRCULÉIRE Circular Construction & Built Environment Good Practice Guide     For great examples of CIRCULÉIRE members pioneering built environment solutions, take a look at our case study on BladeBridge and Arcology .