The government of Ireland announced its new circular economy strategy this week. The strategy titled Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028: Accelerating Action outlines steps the government will take to reduce virgin material use and waste. A press release from the Irish government identifies the goals of the strategy:
- Raise Ireland’s circular material use rate (CMUR): Increase Ireland’s circular material use rate by two percentage points each year, with the aim of reaching 12% by 2030.
- Support economic expansion while improving resource productivity and reducing dependency on virgin raw materials.
- Enhance competitiveness and innovation: Strengthen Ireland’s position as a centre for sustainable design, advanced manufacturing and innovative circular business models, enhancing competitiveness in domestic and export markets
- Enhance social equity: Ensure the benefits of the circular transition are widely shared by communities and workers.
Empower people to make sustainable, cost-effective lifestyle choices.- Actively support local authorities in developing coordinated, community-level circular initiatives.
- Digitalisation is established as an enabler of the circular economy by businesses adopting digital tools such as digital product passports, traceability and resource optimisation systems
By tackling circular economy issues, the Irish government is hoping to not only reduce waste but also reduce carbon emissions. Promoting a circular economy has been a priority for European countries. The EU has passed multiple laws aimed at enhancing the use of recycled materials. Ireland’s strategy works within this framework to promote a circular economy on a national level.
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Practical Guidance for Companies, Curated for Clarity.
