Fostering a circular economy is critically important in terms of Ireland’s green recovery, says EPA

• EPA publishes the National Waste Prevention Programme 2019 report highlighting activities and initiatives which support the transition to a circular economy in Ireland.
• Over €400,000 invested through Green Enterprise programme to support innovation and demonstration projects for the circular economy.
• CIRCULÉIRE, Ireland’s circular manufacturing platform, established – targeting 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and waste production for 30 Irish companies.
• The partnership with local authorities and public bodies is building national momentum on the circular economy, including 58 local waste prevention initiatives.
• Over 2 million people reached through communication and advocacy actions on food waste prevention as an effective climate response.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the 2019 Annual Report on the National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP) – a Government of Ireland initiative led by the EPA. The report highlights the activities carried out during 2019 to support and promote Ireland’s transition to a circular economy.

In 2019, the National Waste Prevention Programme invested over €1.5m in driving Ireland’s circular economy. Among the beneficiaries were households, communities, farmers and businesses who have been supported to produce less waste and reduce consumption of valuable finite resources.

Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability said,

“The National Waste Prevention Programme plays an important role in fostering a circular economy in Ireland through supporting innovation and partnering with other organisations to extend our support and reach. This is critically important in terms of Ireland’s green recovery – supporting job creation, generating economic growth and improving our environment. The concept of a circular economy is gaining momentum with consumers and businesses and the EPA will continue to invest in innovation and to work with others as we progress Ireland along its pathway to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

Notable achievements in 2019 include supporting CIRCULÉIRE, Ireland’s first cross-sectoral industry-led innovation network dedicated to accelerating the net-zero carbon circular economy in Ireland. In addition, community waste prevention initiatives such as public water fountains and green festivals were supported. A new focus in 2019 also involved working with the construction and demolition sector to tackle high-volumes of wastes in this critical sector.

Over 100 million tonnes of materials are used annually in Ireland’s economy. Inefficient consumption and missed opportunities for reuse and recycling lead to high waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions.

Dr Shane Colgan, EPA said:

‘In a circular economy, the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible; waste and resource use are minimised, and resources are kept within the economy when a product has reached the end of its life, to be used again and again to create further value. By preventing waste and driving the circular economy we can make the most of our resources while protecting the environment.”

Highlights from the National Waste Prevention Programme in 2019 include:

• National recommendations published on waste prevention and the circular economy for the construction and demolition sector.
• Ireland’s circular manufacturing platform, CIRCULÉIRE, established – targeting 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and waste production for 30 Irish companies.
• Smart Farming worked on 50 farms, identifying 10 per cent greenhouse gas emissions reductions and savings of €6,336 per farm.

Innovation and Demonstration

• Over €400,000 invested through Green Enterprise programme to support innovation and demonstration projects for the circular economy.
• 58 waste prevention projects were funded through local authorities such as public water fountains and green festivals.

Communications and Advocacy

• Over 2.3 million people reached during the promotion of food waste prevention as an effective climate action; and guidance published to help businesses save €300M in food waste costs.
• The FreeTrade Ireland web-service facilitated householders to exchange and reuse 8,300 items.

The National Waste Prevention Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative. The report can be downloaded from the EPA website.