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Check out the key results from CIRCULÉIRE’s working groups on ‘End-of-Waste, By-Products and Waste Licensing Pathfinders’ & ‘Financing the Circular Economy’ End-of-Waste, By-Products and Waste Licensing Pathfinders TWG Public Webinar Hosted by CIRCULÉIRE on 14th September 2022, this webinar presented the key results and innovation opportunities identified by CIRCULÉIRE’s End of Waste, By-Products & Waste Licensing Pathfinders Thematic Working Group. Expert Facilitators, Re-Mine Limited, presented the main findings of the working group including: The state of play of Ireland’s end of waste and by-product policy context, and the role that this plays in driving Ireland towards circularity; What key lessons industry can apply when looking to prepare strong end-of-waste and/or by-product applications; Major barriers to circularising Ireland’s economy using these specific tools, and the recommendations identified on what’s needed to overcome them; Recommendations identified by CIRCULÉIRE’s cross-sectoral Thematic Working Group Panel Members about how Ireland’s end of waste and by-product regimes might be optimised for a circular economy. Other outputs: Industry Fact Sheet: End of Waste, By-products and Waste Licensing Pathfinders Thematic Working Group (2022) Synthesis Report: End of Waste, By-products and Waste Licensing Pathfinders Thematic Working Group (2022) Policy Briefing: End-of-Waste, By-products and Waste Licensing Pathfinders Thematic Working Group (2022) CIRCULÉIRE (2022) Self-guided Worksheet - End-of-Waste and By-Products Application Preparation CIRCULÉIRE (2022) End of Waste, By-Products & Waste Licensing Pathfinders Public Webinar Financing the Circular Economy TWG Public Webinar Hosted by CIRCULÉIRE on 7th October 2022, this webinar presented the key results and innovation opportunities identified by CIRCULÉIRE’s Financing Ireland's Circular Economy Thematic Working Group. Expert Facilitators, Liz Gavin (Digital Village), and Kate Van Der Merwe presented the working group's main findings, including: The state of play of Ireland’s circular finance and funding landscape, and the role finance can play in driving Ireland’s shift to circularity; Major barriers to financing Ireland’s circular economy and recommendations identified to overcome them; Innovation opportunities identified by CIRCULÉIRE’s cross-sectoral Thematic Working Group Panel Members about how Ireland’s funding and finance landscape might be optimised for a circular economy. Other outputs: CIRCULÉIRE (2022) Financing the Irish Circular Economy TWG Final Report CIRCULÉIRE (2022) Financing the Irish Circular Economy TWG Fact Sheet CIRCULÉIRE (2022) Financing the Irish Circular Economy TWG Policy Briefing CIRCULÉIRE (2022) Financing Ireland's Circular Economy Public Webinar CIRCULÉIRE (2022) Financing Ireland's Circular Economy Public Webinar - PRESENTATION About CIRCULÉIRE CIRCULÉIRE is a public-private partnership co-created by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and three strategic partners: the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EIT Climate-KIC. Together with industry partners, CIRCULÉIRE aims to assist manufacturers and their supply chains to switch from linear to circular business models. Read more about CIRCULÉIRE here.

Full details on the application are available on gov.ie and applications are open until 16/Dec/2022 Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, with responsibility for the Circular Economy and Communications, Ossian Smyth TD, announced on 26th of October 2022 a call for applications for the 2022 funding round of the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS), gov.ie. This €650,000 grant scheme aims to support innovation and circular economy projects by social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations, and businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Up to €100,000 is available for individual projects that demonstrate exceptional impact. Applications for funding could focus on the thematic areas which relate to priorities for the circular economy in Ireland, namely: plastics construction and demolition waste food waste resources and raw materials (electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, furniture) Full details on the application process for the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme are available on gov.ie and applications are open until 16 December 2022. About CIRCULÉIRE CIRCULÉIRE is a public-private partnership co-created by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and three strategic partners: the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EIT Climate-KIC. Together with industry partners, CIRCULÉIRE aims to assist manufacturers and their supply chains to switch from linear to circular business models. Read more about CIRCULÉIRE here.

LLLB is one of the circular economy demonstration pilots funded by the CIRCULÉIRE Innovation Fund Recording: CIRCULÉIRE Innovation Fund Webinar (LLLB) Join us! On June 16th watch the Circular Economy Skillset Initiative (CESI) webinar The Long-Life Lithium Battery (LLLB) re-use demonstration pilot is one of the ten projects funded by the CIRCULÉIRE Innovation Fund which seeks to support the testing and scaling of circular manufacturing systems, supply chains and circular business models. Within the LLLB pilot project, WEEE Ireland, KMK Metals Recycling and Wisetek investigated the feasibility of building capacity in Ireland to dismantle, test, reuse and/or repurpose batteries sourced from electrical vehicles for alternative battery storage solutions. But what are the 10 key lessons we learnt from the LLLB pilot project? The LLLB pilot enabled collaboration within the Irish ecosystem to develop a circular solution for end-of-life batteries. The increased uptake of electric vehicles will create opportunities for the reuse of the battery modules. Electric vehicle batteries (EV batteries) are hazardous and require specialised skills to safely remove damaged cells. Damaged EV batteries require specialised containers to ship the complete enclosure for treatment. EV batteries can contain up to 100+ battery cells. The EV battery enclosure contains valuable metals such as aluminium, copper and steel. The LLLB Project enabled KMK Metals Recycling to train their staff and build the physical dismantling process to enable the safe dismantling of EV batteries. Battery Management Systems (BMS) control and monitor the battery cells but gaining access to the data contained in the BMS is restricted – which is a key barrier to overcome to scale-up re-use of EV batteries. There is, however, significant potential for EV battery reuse in datacentres and renewable energy storage according to sources in Ireland’s ICT and Renewables sector. The global renewable battery storage market is expected to be worth $14bn by 2028. Long-Life Lithium Battery (LLLB) Demo Pilot The project consisted of three stages: 1) developing & building capacity for the training and upskilling of staff; 2) developing a setup, installation, and testing facility for testing and dismantling EV batteries and 3) investigating the suitability for alternative second-life applications. If you want to learn more about the project, watch the recording of the dissemination webinar that took place on April 28th, 2022 or read about it here. About CIRCULÉIRE CIRCULÉIRE is a public-private partnership co-created by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and three strategic partners: the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EIT Climate-KIC. Together with industry partners, CIRCULÉIRE aims to assist manufacturers and their supply chains to switch from linear to circular business models. Read more about CIRCULÉIRE here.

Image: Calling Circular Funding and Financing Experts We are looking for specialists in Circular Finance & Funding: Deadline for applying is June 8th 2022 Click here for the scope of work and expected outputs Download the Application Form (Excel) Are you a strategic and innovative thinker, with a good understanding of the circular funding and financing landscapes for Irish businesses? Do you have demonstrated experience facilitating groups and successfully leading co-design and ideation workshops, roundtables and events? If so, CIRCULÉIRE wants to hear from you. CIRCULÉIRE is requesting applications from suitably qualified ‘Expert Facilitators’ to lead its forthcoming Thematic Working Group on ‘Financing the Circular Economy’. Thematic Working Group (TWG) Process and Aims Each year for the duration of the programme, CIRCULÉIRE’s industry members vote on topics that they deem strategically important to enabling – or preventing - their transition to a circular economy. In 2022, ‘Financing the Circular Economy’ was selected as a top priority topic for the network to run a Thematic Working Group on. What’s needed to optimise Ireland's finance & funding landscape for a Circular Economy? Transitioning to a circular economy requires a significant increase in circular finance and funding instruments to support the development and scaling of circular economy pilots, business models and infrastructure. Yet both industry and the financial and funding sector encounter considerable challenges. For one, regulations, markets, investment tools and practices, including financial risk assessment, are adjusted to linear models, and negative externalities and risks linked to linear business models are largely not considered.<1> Consequently, emergent circular business models can be perceived as highly risky, not bankable, and can thus face added difficulties accessing funding and/or finance. While an increasing number of circular finance instruments are coming on stream (that range from grant funding, venture capital to retail and institutional finance) there is a need to take a holistic, pipeline approach to developing the funding and financial landscape that serves industry needs and reflects different stages of circular business model maturity. Meanwhile, more may need to be done to increase awareness and knowledge of the circular economy within the financial and funding sectors, and ensure that there are financial instruments, and risk assessment tools, fit for financing commercial circular economy innovations. The aims of this TWG are thus as follows: Map the existing finance and funding system in Ireland for industry and enterprise seeking to access funding for circular pilots, business models and infrastructure – and with input from CIRCULÉIRE’s industry members – identify gaps and presently unmet needs; Increase panel members’, particularly those representing the finance / funding / enterprise support ecosystems’, awareness and knowledge of the circular economy, assessing opportunities to optimise the circular finance & funding landscape with and for industry; Prompt dialogue and reflection, by presenting circa 5 international best practices circular finance/funding approaches for industry across Europe, emphasising their replication or adaptation potential in the Irish context; To design and deliver 2x Ideation Workshops where the working group identify min. 5-10 innovative solutions with potential to optimise Ireland’s Finance & Funding ecosystem for a circular economy; Co-produce high-quality thought leadership with input from the panel members based on the gaps and opportunities identified (proposing practical, actionable recommendations as appropriate); 2022 TWGs Indicative Dates Kicking off in late June 2022, this Thematic Working Group (TWG) will run until September (Q3-4), 2022 for a period of approximately 12- 16 weeks.<1> Questions on this specification should come in writing to IMR (details below). We will collect questions until midnight Tuesday, 31st of May. For more details about the scope of work and expected outputs, please read this background document. Applicants must send this completed Excel Application Form to circuleire@imr.ie by Wednesday, 8th of June (using subject heading ‘Expert Facilitator application - ‘Financing the Circular Economy’). All compliant tenders (please complete and submit accompanying Excel Application to aide evaluation) will be assessed against relevant knowledge and experience, and proposed approach to delivering the activities. This work has a maximum allowable budget of €20,000.00 ex. VAT. Indicative dates on the Call for Proposal: Open questions from submitting parties closed 31st of May Deadline for RFP submission to circuleire@imr.ie: Wednesday, 8th of June (with completed Excel Sheet using subject heading ‘Expert Facilitator application – ‘Financing the Circular Economy’) Interviews with shortlisted applicants: 14th June Communication of winning proposal(s): 17th June Kick-Off Meeting with to Agree Timeline: W/C 20th June TWG commences: W/C 27th June (TWG) IMR Contact Person: Sophie Reynolds, Circular Economy Technologist; E: sophie.reynolds@imr.ie <1> European Commission (2019). Accelerating the Transition to the Circular Economy: Improving Access to Finance for Circular Economy Projects. Luxembourg.

This landmark Bill puts the re-use of resources and reduced consumption at the heart of the Irish economy This Wednesday, March 30, 2022, the Government of Ireland published the new Circular Economy Bill. The Bill builds on the 2020 Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy and the 2021 Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy. "This bill aims to stop the wasteful pattern of using valuable resources once and then just binning them. From discouraging the use of single-use items to improving the process for allowing recycled materials onto the market, this legislation will support the development of sustainable products and business models across the economy", says Ossian Smyth TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy. The publication of the bill places the Circular Economy strategy and National Food Loss Prevention Roadmap on statutory footing meaning that it is a legal requirement for the Government to develop and periodically update these two policies. The Bill also incentivises the use of reusable and recyclable alternatives to a range of wasteful single-use disposable packaging and enables the inclusion of targets in respect of re-used and repaired products and materials in waste management plans. Moreover, the Circular Economy Bill calls time on coal exploration by ending the issuing of new licences for the exploration and mining of coal, lignite and oil shale. These, along with a variety of economic incentives (see the summary of the Bill below), puts the re-use of resources and reduced consumption at the heart of the Irish economy. CIRCULÉIRE gave evidence on behalf of its members, during the Oireachtas pre-legislative scrutiny of the CE Bill in October 2021 (see an overview here) and welcomed the publication of this landmark Bill. “The publication of the Circular Economy Bill enshrines in law the Government’s commitment to embedding circularity in Ireland’s economy. It is a key step towards creating regulatory certainty and establishing a supportive and enabling environment to accelerate Ireland’s transition to a circular economy. CIRCULÉIRE’s industry members look forward to engaging in forthcoming sectoral roadmap development and the creation of clear targets”, says Dr Geraldine Brennan, CIRCULÉIRE Lead and Head of Circular Economy in IMR. CIRCULÉIRE was heard during the pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Circular Economy Bill on 21st October 2021 with the participation of Dr Geraldine Brennan, CIRCULÉIRE Lead and Head of Circular Economy at IMR The announcement of the Circular Economy Bill coincides with the European Commission’s publication of a package of new circular economy measures – namely proposals to broaden Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) through the Sustainable Products Initiative, which aims to make almost all goods on the EU market more environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient and circular throughout their whole life-cycle. That is also the purpose of the new Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles and measures to improve the environmental performance of construction products. These national and European regulatory developments create clear and strong signals for Irish industry regarding the strategic importance of embracing a circular economy model. A summary of the Bill: defines the Circular Economy for the first time in Irish domestic law incentivises the use of reusable and recyclable alternatives to a range of wasteful single-use disposable packaging and other items re-designates the existing Environment Fund as a Circular Economy Fund, which will remain ring-fenced to provide support for environmental and circular economy projects introduces mandatory segregation and incentivised charging regime for commercial waste, similar to what exists for the household market. This will increase waste separation and support increased recycling rates provides for the GDPR-compliant use of a range of technologies, such as CCTV for waste enforcement purposes. This will support efforts to tackle illegal dumping and littering while protecting the privacy rights of citizens places the Circular Economy Strategy and National Food Loss Prevention Roadmap on a statutory footing, establishing a legal requirement for Governments to develop and periodically update these two policies streamlines the national processes for End-of-Waste and By-Products decisions, tackling the delays which can be encountered by industry, and supporting the availability of recycled secondary raw materials in the Irish market consolidates the Government’s policy of keeping fossil fuels in the ground – by introducing prohibitions on exploration for and extraction of coal, lignite and oil shale Read more about the Government’s Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications publication here. About CIRCULÉIRE CIRCULÉIRE is a public-private partnership co-created by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and three strategic partners: the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EIT Climate-KIC. Together with industry partners CIRCULÉIRE aims to assist manufacturers and their supply chains to switch from linear to circular business models. Read more about CIRCULÉIRE here.

Apply by 22nd April 2022 - Funding targets late-stage circular economy ventures and provide €5K in equity-free grant among other benefits. Call for Applicants Open Information Session recording Application FormDownload Updated on 8th April 2022: the deadline to apply to the programme was extended. The new deadline is 5 pm on 22nd April 2022. Don't miss this opportunity! Now in its 3rd edition, CIRCULÉIRE’s Circular New Venture Innovation & Mentoring Programme is the first of its’ kind in Ireland targeting late-stage circular ventures seeking to scale. CIRCULÉIRE’s New Venture programme is looking for start-ups and businesses that are revenue-generating and scaling circular solutions. The ventures must be enabling or demonstrating circular economy business models and have a high technology readiness level. Through the programme, CIRCULÉIRE helps entrepreneurs to impact Ireland’s consumer behaviour, the economy, and accelerate the national transition to a net-zero carbon circular economy. “The fund is an important part of our programme of benefits, but we are proud to offer other valuable assets like business coaching and training, mentoring by industry experts and access to CIRCULÉIRE’s wider industry network”, reminds Dr Geraldine Brennan, CIRCULÉIRE’s Lead and IMR’s Head of Circular Economy. The short application process includes reviewing the “2022 Call for Late-Stage Circular Ventures” call for applicants document (available here) and filling a short (maximum 6 page) form (click here) with general information, venture description, and references, for example. Applicants must submit their completed application by 5pm on Friday, 22nd April 2022 via circuleire@imr.ie. Unsure if our Circular New Venture programme is for you? If you are curious about discovering whether this programme is suitable for your venture, watch our Open Information Session held on 1st April 2022. Important Call Dates to Note: CIRCULÉIRE’s Late Stage Accelerator for Circular Ventures CIRCULÉIRE is Ireland’s first cross-sectoral industry-led innovation network dedicated to accelerating the net-zero carbon circular economy. The National Platform for Circular Manufacturing overarching objective between 2020-2022 is to source, test, finance, and scale, circular manufacturing systems, supply chains, and circular business models to deliver significant reductions in both CO2 emissions and waste across over the programmes’ lifespan through the wide range of activities from our Innovation Fund to our Late-Stage Accelerator for Circular Ventures delivered in collaboration with Tangent, Trinity’s Idea Space. Past Alumni of the Circular Accelerator include Ashleigh Environmental; Avoca Seafood; DACS; IANAV; The ZeroNet; Harley & Marley; IFF Plastics; Niskus Biotec; Sensi and Verifact (see the announcement of 2021 New Venture Cohort). About CIRCULÉIRE CIRCULÉIRE is a public-private partnership co-created by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and three strategic partners: the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EIT Climate-KIC. Together with industry partners CIRCULÉIRE aims to assist manufacturers and their supply chains to switch from linear to circular business models. Read more about CIRCULÉIRE here.

Training course for white goods repair technicians has 10 students and it’s supported by CIRCULÉIRE’s Innovation Fund Students from Circular Economy Skills Initiative (CESI) had an important day on 25th January 2022, with the visit of Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, who has responsibility for the Circular Economy. CESI is a training course for white goods repair technicians funded by CIRCULÉIRE’s 2020 Innovation Fund. CESI is a collaboration between CIRCULÉIRE Industry Member, WEEE Ireland, the Ibec White Goods Association (WGA), FIT (Fastrack to Information Technology) a technical training agency and the Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB). “This is a great new initiative and will be instrumental in making the circular economy real for consumers and industry alike. Having qualified technicians available to undertake quality repairs gives confidence to users that repaired goods can be trusted and are great value. I wish this first cohort of trainees well in what promises to be a very rewarding career,” said Minister Smyth. He was a guest at the FIT centre in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, to meet participants enrolled in the first Irish course of its kind in a decade. The CESI training course aims to combat a major national shortage in white goods repair technicians, producing enough qualified experts to extend the lives of fixable electrical appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and dryers. Following the visit Minister Smyth also took to Twitter to share his congratulations: The first cohort on this course began in November 2021 – it will run for over 26 weeks and then be followed by 12 weeks’ guaranteed work placement with leading white goods industry supporters of the programme. CESI is free of charge for trainees to participate. “CIRCULÉIRE are proud to be part of CESI story. Capacity building and upskilling is key to accelerating Ireland’s transition to the circular economy. CIRCULÉIRE is delighted to support this industry-accredited and standards-based repair training programme which will transform the Irish White Goods’ repair sector”, said Dr Geraldine Brennan, CIRCULÉIRE's Lead and Head of Circular Economy at Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR). Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland, one of CIRCULÉIRE’s industry founding members, described the CESI initiative as “a great example of multi-stakeholder engagement working together to solve part of the e-waste challenge.” “Qualified repair technicians are vital to ensuring more reuse, repair and refurbishment of white goods in Ireland to extend their life-cycle - in turn minimising waste and saving resources. WEEE Ireland and the WGA are proactive in meeting the challenges of the circular economy and engaging with the industry to support sectoral development of important initiatives”, added Donovan. The CESI Innovation Project is supported by Beko, Belling, Blomberg, Bosch, Candy, Haier, Hoover, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, Flavel, Grundig, Hotpoint, Leisure, Indesit, Miele, Neff, Siemens and Whirlpool. Last month, Minister Smyth launched Ireland’s first Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy, which sets out a vision for Ireland’s transition to circularity; explaining the concept of the circular economy, describing what initiatives are already happening, what opportunities are available and how Government will drive the changes required. CIRCULÉIRE's Innovation Fund CIRCULÉIRE is Ireland’s first cross-sectoral industry-led innovation network dedicated to accelerating the net-zero carbon circular economy and it has a ring-fenced innovation fund dedicated to catalysing and implementing circular economy innovation demonstration projects (see here for an overview of awardees to date). CIRCULÉIRE’s overarching objective between 2020-2022 is to source, test, finance, and scale, circular manufacturing systems, supply chains and circular business models to deliver significant reductions in both CO2 emissions and waste across our Industry Membership over the programmes’ lifespan. About CIRCULÉIRE CIRCULÉIRE is a public-private partnership co-created by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and three strategic partners: the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EIT Climate-KIC. Together with industry partners CIRCULÉIRE aims to assist manufacturers and their supply chains to switch from linear to circular business models. Read more about CIRCULÉIRE here.

New Circular Economy Programme from the EPA, CIRCULÉIRE’s Strategic partner, was also published Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy 2022 – 2023: Living More, Using Less - Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications | Government of Ireland The Circular Economy Programme 2021 – 2027: The Driving Force for Ireland’s Move to a Circular Economy - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Circular Economy Bill – The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action Last Thursday, 16th December, the Minister of State with responsibility for the Circular Economy at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth TD, has launched Ireland’s first Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy. "We all understand how saving energy and being energy efficient are critical for the climate. Now, we need to think this way about our material resources, like food, metals, plastic, concrete. A circular economy shows us how we can do this. This new strategy provides a really important policy signal across the public and private sectors that circularity belongs at the heart of sustainability", said Minister Smyth. The strategy was the subject of public consultation early in 2021 – one of a series of consultations undertaken since early 2020 in this area. Public feedback was strongly supportive of moving towards a circular economy. The strategy will address a policy gap that exists in Ireland’s national policy framework. It sets out a vision for Ireland’s transition to circularity; explaining the concept of the circular economy, describing what initiatives are already happening, what opportunities are available and how Government will drive the changes required. The strategy will: Demonstrate public sector leadership, using policy tools such as green public procurement as well as supporting circular economy practices across the entire public sector Develop and implement an education and awareness campaign – for individuals, households, communities, and the public and private sectors Identify priority sectors for the development of sectoral circular economy roadmaps Convene a consultative advisory group, from amongst stakeholders, to input into policy development and implementation Establish an interdepartmental working group to oversee the integration of circular economy policies and practices across public policy Subsequent iterations of the strategy will include more detailed measures and sectoral roadmaps for priority areas such as construction, consumer goods, transport, procurement, agriculture and food. Measures, including targets, for these sectors, will be developed in consultation with stakeholders across public and private sectors, as well as environmental, community and social enterprise representatives. New Circular Economy Programme from the EPA Also launched on the 16th December 2021, the EPA launched a new Circular Economy Programme from the EPA. The programme has been devised to support the Government’s circular economy policy agenda. It will incorporate the previous National Waste Prevention Programme will be the driving force for Ireland’s move to a circular economy by businesses, householders, and the public sector. The launch will set the scene for the next six years of our journey away from waste disposal and treatment to ensuring that the extraction and consumption of raw materials are reduced, and that waste is prevented and reduced at all stages of production. At the same time, this economic model will support the growth of our economy in a sustainable way. Circular Economy Bill The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has also been progressing the development of a Circular Economy Bill. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action began its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill in October this year - in which CIRCULÉIRE participated on 21st October. Last Thursday 16th December, the Committee published its report of that process. Following consideration of the recommendations of the Committee, the Minister intends to proceed with publication of the Bill early in the New Year. About CIRCULÉIRE CIRCULÉIRE is a public-private partnership co-created by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and three strategic partners: the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EIT Climate-KIC. Together with industry partners CIRCULÉIRE aims to assist manufacturers and their supply chains to switch from linear to circular business models. Read more about CIRCULÉIRE here.

MARCH 2022 UPDATE: This article referred to the 2021 call and dates from July 2021, therefore it is now closed. For updated information, please check the post 2022 CIRCULÉIRE New Venture Innovation & Mentoring Program. CIRCULÉIRE is looking assist circular economy start-ups and businesses that are revenue generating and scaling to - develop their solutions such that they can help make a systemic impact on our economy and consumer behaviour and drive Irelands transition to net-zero carbon circular economy. Our 2021 call for applications to the “New Ventures Innovation & Mentoring Program” has been extended to 5pm Friday 10th September – all submissions (see application forms) via circuleire@imr.ie. If you are curious about whether this programme is for you – join us on Friday 3rd of September 2021 from 10-11am for an “Open House” session to hear from 2020 alumni, The ZeroNet, recently profiled by CIRCULÉIRE on RTE DriveTime, about what the programme entails and key benefits like the value of access to CIRCULÉIRE’s wider industry network and € 5,000 in equity-free funding for your new venture! Register to attend the “Open House” information session by clicking here. Please click on the following links to download "Call for applicants" "Application Form"

We would like to extend a warm thank you to all our members who have provided us feedback regarding the national circular economy strategy consultation led by DECC. This is very important for us to rely on our members’ feelings vis-a-vis current legislations and how they could be improved. The full document is now available onto our members hub. The high-level recommendations made by CIRCULÉIRE to the consultation include: Mainstreaming of CE in national policies Expand objectives to emphasis an industry-led approach to scaling circular innovation in Ireland’s transition Embedding circularity in Ireland’s Industrial Policy more generally in addition to sectoral roadmaps to ensure cross-sectoral nature of circularity is reflected; Clear Circular Economy Targets which are Aligned across Government Plans & Policies Reduce barriers associated to End-Of-Waste, chemicals, introducing anticipatory regulations, an all-island approach to the circular economy. Go to the Members Hub

On Friday 27th November 2020, IMR’s flagship circular economy initiative, CIRCULÉIRE – The National Platform for Circular Manufacturing was officially launched by Minister Eamon Ryan, Department of Environment, Climate & Communications (DECC). Over three hundred people from around Ireland and further afield attended this virtual launch which was hosted by Maia Dunphy and included key notes from: Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Adriaan Palm, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ireland, Freek Van Eijk, CEO of Holland Circular Hotspot, CIRCULÉIRE’s Strategic Partners and IMR. We are delighted to see the momentum behind the transition to a circular economy growing in Ireland evidenced by the strong interest in CIRCULÉIRE’s launch and the event’s coverage in an Irish Times article on the same day (see link below in “Learn More”). CIRCULÉIRE aims to help Irish companies reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation by supporting them to implement circular business models and capture “circular advantage”. If you would like to know how to get involved, please contact us at circuleire@imr.ie. Learn More

IMR in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), EIT Climate-KIC and Founding Industry Members are pleased to announce the official launch (virtual) of Ireland’s 1st Circular Economy Innovation Network on Friday 27th November 2020. Join us for the Official Launch with Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication, event compere Maia Dunphy and special guests to learn how you can capture circular advantage for your business with Ireland’s 1st Circular Economy Hotspot. Register Here