Circular economy

What we do

Ireland’s Circular Economy Programme is the driving force for Ireland's move to a circular economy. This Programme was established in 2021 and is led by the EPA. It incorporates and builds upon the previous National Waste Prevention Programme to support national-level, strategic programmes to prevent waste and drive the circular economy in Ireland. The vision for the Programme is an Ireland where the circular economy ensures that everyone uses less resources and prevents waste to achieve sustainable economic growth.

View Circular Economy Programme documents:

The Circular Economy Programme

The Circular Economy Programme Leaflet

Watch the Circular Economy Programme video

Circular Economy Programme Annual Report 2023

Circular economy & you

Learn more about the Circular economy, what's happening and how you can play your part.

Browse by Circular economy

Green Public Procurement

Green public procurement has an important role in Ireland’s move to a circular economy. The EPA supports GPP implementation through guidance, training, monitoring and reporting.

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Green enterprise

Green Enterprise is an annual circular economy innovation funding call

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Food waste

The national programme for food waste prevention is led by the EPA

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Textiles

Textiles are a circular economy priority area

textiles

Circular and sustainable business

Sectoral sustainability is a priority of the circular economy

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Circular Insights Series

The Circular Insights Series provides evidence and insights to inform policy and to support circular economy implementation.

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Behavioural Insights

Behavioural Insight is a foundation of the EPA's Circular Economy Programme, providing evidence to inform policy, to inform behavioural change interventions and to inform awareness campaigns.

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Construction & demolition

Construction & demolition is a circular economy priority area

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Resources and raw materials

Resources and raw materials are a priority area of the circular economy

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Plastics

Plastic is a circular economy priority area

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Lead by example

The EPA supports the public sector in leading by example

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Latest publications in Circular Economy

Sketch outline of person pushing wheelie bin towards rubbish truck with photo of crushed plastic bottles as background

Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

Chapter 15

Circular Economy and Waste

Circular Economy Programme Annual Report 2023

This report sets out our key activities and highlights for 2023.

The Circular Economy Programme 2021-2027

The driving force for Ireland's move to a circular economy

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 circular economy ensures that everyone uses less resources and prevents waste to achieve sustainable economic growth.

National Hazardous Waste Management Plan image

EPA National Waste Management Plan 2024-2027

The Environmental Protection Agency has prepared this National Hazardous Waste Management Plan (NHWMP) for the Republic of Ireland covering a six year period from 2021 to 2027. It sets out the priorities to be pursued over the next six years and beyond to improve the prevention and management of hazardous waste. The purpose of this plan is to protect the environment and human health in Ireland through best-practice management of hazardous wastes.

Best Practice guidelines for the preparation of resource & waste management plans for construction & demolition projects

Latest News and Press Releases

in: Circular Economy

Ireland’s recycling rate has not improved in a decade: it is time to move away from a wasteful linear economy

Date released: December 16, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published the Circular Economy and Waste Statistics Highlights Report 2022. This report identifies that Ireland generated 15.7 million tonnes of waste in 2022, which although a decrease on 2021 figures, still shows a growth of over 20 per cent in the last decade.

EPA National Criteria to Help Reduce Construction Waste

Date released: August 28, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published National By-Product Criteria for Greenfield Soil and Stone.

Ireland is wasting over one million meals a day

Date released: June 27, 2024

New figures released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today show that over 750,000 tonnes of food waste was generated in Ireland in 2022.