The Circular Economy

We live in a world where we take materials produced by the earth and make things that we may only use once before throwing them away. This ‘take, make, use and dispose' system is known as the linear economy. Our focus now is to move from a linear to a circular economy.

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What is the circular economy?

In the circular economy system, we use less raw material, we design products for long-life and recyclability, we share products, we use them for longer and we reuse and repair things before we recycle or throw them away.

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Top tips to prevent food waste at home

Reducing your food waste is one of the most effective actions you can take to help fight climate change. Any step you take to reduce your waste has the potential to cause significant effects. Here are some of the things you can do, it really is small steps for big impact!

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Take action on the circular economy

Top 5 things to do for a circular economy Top 4 'Stretch Out and Save' tips to prevent food waste
The Circular Economy Programme Leaflet Cover
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The Circular Economy Programme

Ireland’s Circular Economy Programme (2021 to 2027) is the driving force for Ireland's move to a circular economy. The vision for the Programme, which is led by the EPA, is an Ireland where the circular economy ensures that everyone uses less resources and prevents waste to achieve sustainable economic growth. This Programme incorporates and builds upon the previous National Waste Prevention Programme. The Circular Economy Programme will work with others to deliver programmes. The Programme will provide leadership to ensure alignment of national, regional and local circular economy activities. It will maintain a competitive programme of innovation grants and seed-funding to support circular economy initiatives. The programme will implement actions that build knowledge and evidence to inform circular economy development in Ireland. It will realise the enterprise opportunity of a circular economy by supporting new business models and promoting resource efficiency.

What's happening in the circular economy?

Circular Economy Infographic

The Circular Economy goes beyond the management of waste.  The focus is on reducing the amount of raw materials we use and maximising the value of materials along the production and consumption chain. Waste is recycled where possible and brought back into production processes.  Otherwise it is used to create energy instead of disposal to landfill.  The Circular Economy graphic shows the different stages of the circular economy.

In Ireland, our current waste policy is A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. The Government’s Circular Economy Strategy and the EPA’s Circular Economy Programme were published in 2021.  The EPA’s Circular Economy Programme programme has been devised to support the Government’s Circular Economy Strategy and is a reconfiguration of Ireland’s National Waste Prevention Programme. At EU level, the European Green Deal includes a Circular Economy Action Plan, with a focus on sustainability and turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities.

What's being done?

How we work 2021

Advocacy, Insights, Data & Coordination

We communicate solutions for the Circular Economy based on expertise, data and behavioural insights. We gather evidence and publish circular insights to inform robust policy development. We provide advice, assessments and national statistics to support the development and implementation of national policy.

We are an advocate for waste prevention and the circular economy in Ireland, including working with the public on priority topics such as food waste and plastics.

We support Circular Heroes – enterprises that are delivering circular economy activities.

Innovation & Demonstration

We have targeted funding programmes to support the development of novel solutions for the circular economy. We share learnings and showcase best-practice for enterprises and organisations in moving to the circular economy.

Delivering through Partnerships

We collaborate with other influential national organisations to deliver programmes and solutions for the circular economy in Ireland. Working with and through others we extend our reach and influence

Regulatory Framework for Circularity

Through our regulatory role and experience, we develop responses to circular economy challenges, while ensuring the protection of human health and the environment.

 

View our seven key priority areas to learn more about:

Packaging

Plastics

Textiles

Food, Water and Nutrients

Construction and Buildings

Electronics and ICT

Batteries and Vehicles

Featured reports on Resources

in: circular economy
The Circular Economy Programme Leaflet Cover
The Circular Economy Programme 2021-2027

The Driving Force for Ireland's Move to a Circular Economy

The Circular Economy Programme vision is for an Ireland where the Circular Economy ensures that everyone uses less resources and prevents waste to achieve sustainable economic growth.

Circular Economy FAQs

Some of the frequently asked questions we receive about the Circular Economy and their answers

  • What is a Circular Economy?

    A circular economy is a way of using resources that minimizes waste, pollution, and environmental impact. In a circular economy, waste and primary raw material use are minimised by maintaining the value of products and materials for as long as possible. Resources are kept within the economy for as long as possible – products are used for longer or reused again and again. When they do reach the end of their life, products are repurposed as secondary raw materials and create further value. They can be used to recreate the same product or something new. The 2020 EU Circular Economy Action Plan focuses on accelerating the transition of Europe’s economy towards a more circular model. Ireland’s national waste policy was published in 2020: A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy.

    The Ellen Mc Arthur Foundation has information on Circular Economy, Climate Change, and the impacts of waste on our Climate: Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

    diagram depicting a circular economy

     

  • Consumption and the Circular Economy

    At the current rate of consumption, we will need three planets to meet our resource demands by 2050. To correct this unsustainable trend, we must focus on reducing consumption and thereby reducing waste. To reduce consumption, we must reconsider all aspects of our economy in the context of a Circular Economy: how we prevent waste generation and resource consumption, how we design products to be safe and sustainable, how we consume materials and resources, and how we extend the productive life of all goods and products.

  • How much waste do we make per year?

    Ireland generates many millions of tonnes of waste every year, including construction & demolition, municipal (household and similar) waste, packaging, food, hazardous etc.

    The waste that people see in everyday life is that collected in wheelie bins from homes, schools, shops and businesses is called municipal waste and it only makes up a fraction of the overall waste generated. Of that municipal waste, less than half is recycled (visit the National Waste Statistics Waste Characterization site and the Highlights Report for up to date figures). To see how much waste is generated by material type, visit the Waste generation page.

  • Where can I find up-to-date statistics about waste?

    EPA’s National Waste Statistics webpage is updated yearly. The EPA also publishes a Waste Statistics Release calendar so you can track when new data will be available. You can find more information by checking out the Latest National Waste Stats Publications.

  • What happens to my waste?

    Waste is presented for collection in bins or skips and sometimes bales of pure materials such as cardboard or plastic from business, shops and industry.  The waste is segregated into residual waste, recyclables and organic waste.

    graphic depicting the stages of municipal waste from collection at source, tranfers to and from facilities, and final treatment

     

    Waste is collected by permitted collectors that are authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO).  These permitted collectors report annually on the types of waste collected and on where it is brought.   

    Permitted collectors bring the waste to treatment facilities in Ireland or abroad.  Waste treatment facilities in Ireland are authorised by the EPA or in the case of smaller facilities by the relevant City or County Council. 

    All waste treatment facilities report annually on the types of waste accepted and how it is treated. Permitted collectors my also bring waste for direct export, in which case the destination and treatment is reported to the National Transfrontier Shipment Office (NTFSO).

    The EPA has access to all of the reports mentioned above and validates the data submitted by cross checks and site audits.  Validated data is used to prepare the reports published on our website, and to comply with EU reporting obligations.  The compilation and validation of the data is a relatively complex task and in recognition of the complexity of waste data, most European reporting is due 18 months after the end of the year of reference. We work within this timeframe.

    The market plays a huge role in where waste is treated.  Once waste is sorted and baled at waste treatment facilities it becomes a commodity that waste management companies sell on the open market.   Because waste is a commodity that is sold and resold there can be multiple interim destinations before it reaches its final destination.  The EPA draws attention to this in our media releases and reports

Watch our videos on the circular economy

Download infographics and factsheets on circular economy

The Circular Economy Programmes 2021
NWPP Highlights 2020 jpg
NWPP highlights 2019
2020 National Food Waste Attitudes Survey key insights