Date released: January 16, 2019
The aim of the partnership is to promote the ‘rediscovery’ of waste materials through reuse, redesign and repair of clothes, paint, furniture and bicycles. This will be achieved through education and demonstration activities at the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun. The partnership is funded through the EPA’s National Waste Prevention Programme which supports enterprises, households and the public sector to make the change to a low-carbon, circular economy.
Laura Burke, Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, said,
“The EPA welcomes this strategic partnership and looks forward to working with The Rediscovery Centre. This partnership aligns with our ambition to foster a circular and greener economy in Ireland. Demonstrating what the circular economy looks like in terms of, for example, redesigned and recycled fashion and furniture, is an important part of raising awareness amongst the public and through education. This strategic partnership will build on the EPA’s and the Centre’s proven track record in innovation, advocacy and behaviour change for resource use efficiency and the circular economy.”
The Rediscovery Centre is a unique eco-demonstration facility in Ballymun. The Centre connects people, ideas and resources and supports four innovative social enterprises: Rediscover Furniture, Rediscover Paint, Rediscover Fashion and Rediscover Cycling. As it further evolves into Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy, the skills and expertise of scientists, designers and craftspeople will be harnessed to develop sustainability solutions and promoting business opportunities in support of these solutions.
Dr. Sarah Miller, Chief Executive Officer of the Rediscovery Centre, said,
“Through the strategic partnership with the EPA, the Rediscovery Centre will continue to build on its existing successful initiatives but also co-design creative, innovative programmes with the EPA to create and embed opportunities for the circular economy in Ireland.”
Notes to Editor:
Circular economy: The European Commission’s Circular Economy Package is the overarching framework for waste policy and resource efficiency and aims to transform Europe into a more competitive, sustainable resource efficient economy. To facilitate the move to a more circular economy, the European Commission put forward a Circular Economy Package in December 2015, which includes revised legislative proposals on waste, as well as a comprehensive Action Plan.
National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP): The NWPP is led by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The NWPP has been operating since 2004 and delivers a suite of initiatives and supports to reduce wasteful consumption of material, water and energy resources by changing behaviours in businesses, households and the public sector. For businesses, it seeks to enhance competitiveness and reduce business costs by delivering programmes that stimulate resource efficiency and the circular economy.
Rediscovery Centre: The Rediscovery Centre’s mission is to lead change from waste to resource through reuse, redesign, research and education. Located in a bespoke eco-demonstration facility in Ballymun, the Rediscovery Centre is an umbrella organisation for four reuse social enterprises: Rediscover Furniture, Rediscover Paint, Rediscover Fashion and Rediscover Cycling. These businesses use waste materials for new product development and design, demonstrating effective resource efficiency, reuse and low carbon living. The Rediscovery Centre advocates for the Circular Economy nationally and internationally through networking and collaboration activities.