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

National Waste Prevention Programme Annual Report 2020

National Waste Prevention Programme Annual Report 2021

National Waste Prevention Programme Annual Report 2021 highlights

 

 

 

 

icon three arrows in a circle

Circular economy & you

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

Browse by Circular economy

light bulb with a plant inside

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.

icon food waste

Food waste

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

Icon show an upward trend graph with a magnifying glass

Circular Insights Series

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

icon tractor in a field

Agriculture

The Smart Farming programme shows ways to reduce environmental impacts, waste and costs

Latest publications in Circular Economy

GPP banner latest publications
Green Public Procurement: Monitoring and Reporting by government Departments 2020

This is the first report on GPP activity by Government Departments, collating and analysing data for the year 2020. The report presents an overview of the process, monitoring and reporting requirements, data collected and a summary of the findings.

Circular Economy Programme 2021-2027
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 the 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 2021 - 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.

Latest News and Press Releases

in: Circular Economy
EPA calls for urgent action to address Ireland’s Municipal Waste Recycling

Date released: December 06, 2022

The EPA’s National Waste Statistics Report for 2020 published today reports on the most recent official data on waste generation and management in Ireland. The report reveals a number of worrying trends.

EPA announces €650,000 funding opportunity for innovative Irish businesses in the Circular Economy

Date released: June 10, 2022

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today launches its €650,000 funding opportunity for Irish enterprises to innovate, demonstrate and implement new circular economy approaches in their business models, moving away from the ‘Take Make Use Dispose’ economic model.

EPA reports low level of green criteria used in public procurement by Government Departments

Date released: April 08, 2022

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published its first report on the use of Green Public Procurement by Government Departments. Under the Climate Action Plan, lead responsibility was assigned to the EPA to report on Government Department Green Public Procurement (GPP) activity annually, starting in 2020.

Latest Events in Circular Economy

Circular Economy Conference 2022 image
Circular Economy Conference 2022

22nd September 2022

Sessions 1&2

Circular Economy Conference 2022 image
Circular Economy Conference 2022

22nd September 2022

Sessions 3&4