By the meteorological calendar, Spring begins on 1st March, but in Ireland, we celebrate the arrival of Spring on 1st February with St Brigid's Day. And indeed, Spring has sprung with a wealth of news, opportunities and research in the circular economy!

In Ireland last month, new EPA research revealed that Ireland has over 1,500 repair outlets and 157 repair training courses, and Carlow County Council launched their own Swap Shop kit for communities.

On the international stage, NFL Super Bowl 2025 featured a historic climate advert from the nonprofit group 'Science Moms,' urging climate action for future generations. 

Meanwhile, the European Parliament and Council reached an agreement on new measures to prevent and reduce waste from food and textiles, the UK’s Reuse Network launched a new Reuse Roadmap and in California, an innovative urban wood sourcing initiative is repurposing damaged or diseased city trees into high-quality guitars.  

Before we dive into news, events, and funding opportunities, we’d love to hear from you: What do you want to see in Circular Economy News? Let us know!

Happy reading!

• Ireland offers 159 repair training courses, but gaps remain in key areas like electronics, white goods and shoe and leather repair, according to new EPA research. The report, Repair Skills Training and Education in Ireland, part of the EPA’s Circular Insights series, also highlights the role of social enterprises and community repair initiatives in building self-repair skills among members of the public. Read the report in full here. 

• Another new EPA report mapped Ireland’s 1,503 repair enterprises, 85% of which are small businesses. A spotlight on business-to-consumer repair, this new research Business to Consumer Repair Enterprises in Ireland from the EPA highlights the many benefits that repair businesses deliver, from job creation to social integration, skills development, and access to affordable goods. However, it also shows that there are many challenges facing the sector and the importance of professional certification to grow. Learn more in the EPA’s report here. 

• And finally on research, a new report on Ireland’s Creative Climate Action Fund highlights the power of arts in driving climate engagement. It finds that interactive, artist-led approaches help people connect with climate issues emotionally and practically, increasing confidence to take action. The Rediscovery Centre’s ECCO Project exemplifies this impact, launching 10 self-sustaining community climate initiatives a year ahead of schedule. Read the report here, and learn more about the ECCO Project here. 

• Stop Food Waste Day takes place on 1st March! This year, take a minute to read the Stop Food Waste Pocket Guide and learn some useful tips to help you get started on reducing food waste. Have a look here!

• A Kildare farm has partnered with a local SuperValu to launch a milk refill system. Their glass bottle refill system allows customers to purchase reusable glass bottles or bring their own, refilling them directly from Killadoon Milk vending machines. Learn more straight from the farm here. 

• What can be done with 11,000 tonnes of used wind turbine blades? Ireland will soon face the challenge of disposing of 11,000 tons of decommissioned wind turbine blades, which are not biodegradable and have limited reuse options. In early February’s RTE Brainstorm podcast, Ella McSweeney explores potential solutions with experts from University College Cork, Munster Technological University, and University College Dublin—listen in to learn more. Meanwhile, to see how BladeBridge is repurposing non-recyclable wind turbine blades in Ireland, see here.

• Carlow County Council have launched their very own free to borrow Clothing Swap Kit for communities, schools, businesses and groups around the County. To book the Clothing Swap kit, or for more information, contact environment@carlowcoco.ie or telephone 059 9136231.​​​​​​

• Congratulations to Carrickmacross Toy Library, who will now serve as a hub for the newly launched Toy Libraries Ireland! Learn more about their sustainable play work here. 

• The Irish Waste Management Conference 2025 will kick off on 6th March in the Aviva, exploring the theme Breaking down the Barriers to the Circular Economy. The long list of speakers will include Ireland’s new Minister for Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, Rediscovery Centre CEO Claire Downey, and President of CIWM Tim Walker, who will be discussing the 2024 report Turning off the Tap: Why Better Design Can Increase Resource Resilience and Reduce Consumption. Book your ticket here. 

• Supports for circular community groups available! Are you part of a community group working on Circular Economy initiatives like repair cafes, clothing swaps, book or lending libraries, or food waste initiatives? Circular.ie, a five-year national project funded by the Department of the Environment and Climate, wants to hear from you to understand your communication needs, provide support, and help shape how we amplify the brilliant work of local initiatives across Ireland. Email eibhlin@rediscoverycentre.ie to learn more!

• Join the Circular Economy Movement: Circular.ie is expanding its team and is currently recruiting for three communications positions. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Ireland’s transition to a circular economy. Application deadline 5th March, learn more and apply here. We encourage you to apply and share this opportunity with your network!

• Northern Ireland is set to host its first ever Repair Week from 6th - 9th March! The campaign is designed to equip individuals and communities with practical repair skills while promoting sustainability and supporting local businesses. Learn more about the week’s events here.

• Since 1st January, all EU member states must establish separate textile waste collection systems, which has added pressure to an already stretched system for textile collection. In Ireland, this and other factors have led to some textile banks overflowing and no longer being serviced. While this creates immediate litter and nuisance challenges locally, Rediscovery Centre has said that unless we reduce consumption, the pressure on outlets for post consumer (unwanted) textiles, including export outlets, will continue to grow. Ireland is the second highest producer of textile waste in the EU, with the vast majority being exported or disposed of. Further research here indicates that more should be done to reduce consumption of clothing, while developing local infrastructure to manage unwanted textiles. Read a Dublin Inquirer article here, Irish Times article here, and learn more about the EU’s Waste Framework Directive here.

• More upcycled paint is hitting the high street, as Relove Paint opens in Limerick next week. Paint Reuse Network Member Tait House will be launching a new reused paint shop in Limerick, in partnership with Limerick County Council and the Paint Reuse Network. Register to attend the launch on 6th March here, and learn more about where to buy and donate reused paint here. 

• Another Paint Reuse Network member, IRD Duhallow, was featured on Nationwide on Tuesday night, showcasing their circular work in rural Ireland. This week’s focus on upcycling and craftspeople also showcased shoe repairers who are giving footwear a new lease of life. Watch back here.

• Kilkenny City’s first composite construction boardwalk using 100% recycled plastic components has opened to the public. Learn more here.

• The European Parliament and Council have reached provisional agreement on new measures to prevent and reduce waste from food and textiles across the EU as part of the targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive. The new deal includes 2030 targets to reduce food waste, and will hold textile producers accountable for their products through EPR schemes. This will require brands to pay for the collection, sorting, and recycling of used textiles, including online giants outside the EU. Companies may also face higher fees for large fashion product ranges, frequent collections, and limited repair options. Finally, used textiles will have to be sorted before export. However, the measures have been criticised aslacking in ambition, particularly in relation to food waste reduction targets. The next step in the legislative process is for the Council to formally adopt its position, which can then be endorsed by the EP in second reading.  Learn more from Europarl here or Zero Waste Europe here.

• The European Commission has announced the Clean Industrial Deal and Omnibus Package to support industries facing high energy costs and global competition. The Deal aims to promote circularity by reducing waste, reusing materials and cutting reliance on outside suppliers. But is it enough? Reactions are mixed. Circle Economy wants stronger policies and better incentives to help businesses go circular, while the European Environmental Bureau warns it weakens corporate accountability. Read more from circular economy advisor Axel Durat here, Circle Economy, and the EEB.

• The Netherlands has taken a major step forward in implementing its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles, with the signing of contracts with textile collectors and recyclers. By establishing a proper collection and recycling infrastructure, the Netherlands is set to meet EPR targets, marking a significant step towards a more circular textile economy. Learn more here.

• Up to £346 million of social value was created due to product reuse in 2023/24, according to a new report by Tech Takeback, funded by the CIWM. Commenting on the launch of the report, Lee Marshall, CIWM’s Director of Innovation & Technical Services, said: “Waste policy has not always been strong on reuse activities, and it will need to strengthen if we are to move towards a more circular economy [...] By demonstrating the social value associated with reuse activities, we can hopefully accelerate the move toward them becoming more mainstream than they currently are.” Read the report here.

• How can Scotland tip the balance from linear to a circular economy? The latest episode of The Circular Economy Show Podcast, run by Ellen MacArthur Foundation discusses this and more. Listen to the episode here.

• The Reuse’ Network’s Reuse Roadmap has been launched:Tackling barriers to reuse and realising quick wins for advancing the circular economy. This finds that the UK’s reuse sector is struggling to keep operations running in the wake of economic pressures and regulatory hurdles, and includes recommendations regarding: Separate collection for reusable resources; regulations to support reuse of hazardous products; logistics options for bulky item collections; investing in sector capacity to address the cost-of-living crisis; and fully recognising the social and environmental benefits of reuse. Read the report in full here. 

• The City of London is aiming to become “fully circular” by 2040 as part of its strategy to reduce waste and recycle building materials. The City of London is a historic financial district, colloquially known as the Square Mile, (not the city as whole) and has already launched several circular economy projects including regular “Give and Take” days, where City residents can donate unwanted books, clothes and electrical items for reuse. Learn more about the plan here.

• SUEZ UK’s new re-use manifesto highlights a significant rise in second-hand purchases, with nearly 48% of UK adults buying pre-loved items in the past year, spurred by value for money, affordability, environmental concerns and a desire to support charities and small businesses.  The report also reveals that younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, are driving the re-use trend. To further support this shift towards a circular economy, SUEZ calls on the government to implement seven steps, including reducing VAT on re-used goods, extending Right to Repair laws, and creating a £250 million Re-use Development Loan Fund, all aimed at reducing waste and making second-hand buying more accessible. Read the report here.

• Consumers are being urged to be cautious of online shopping's hidden traps, as "dark patterns" are designed to manipulate purchasing behavior. These tactics subtly encourage overconsumption, leading to unintended purchases and potential privacy risks. Being aware of these practices is crucial, as reducing unnecessary purchases aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where we focus on reusing and reducing waste rather than fostering constant buying. By recognizing these six common dark patterns, shoppers can make more mindful choices and support sustainable consumption. Read the dark patterns here.

• Confidence, clarity, and cost - the three Cs - should be the top priorities for businesses and governments aiming to promote household sustainability, according to a new report from environmental charity, Hubbub. The ‘Home Advantage’ report is based on an in-depth study of 175 UK homeowners over three months, along with a survey of 501 additional homeowners, exploring the support needed to help people adopt more sustainable habits. It found that most participants became more willing to make changes at home when they had increased awareness, knowledge, and saw other participants act. Read the report in full here.

• Reducing food loss and waste (FLW) is key to addressing global challenges like feeding a growing population, supporting agro-food workers, and meeting environmental goals. However, tracking progress on the UN's target to halve global food waste is hindered by inconsistent definitions and metrics across countries. A new report reviews the FLW policy landscape, based on data from 42 national ministries and the European Commission, to support better coordination and more effective policies to reduce food waste worldwide. Read the report in full here.

• The Chartered Institution of Waste Management (CIWM) and The Sustainables Academy have launched a free circular economy competition for UK primary schools. The competition will launch in schools in April 2025 and focus on the 10Rs – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Re-purpose, Rethink, Regenerate, Redesign, and Recover. Learn more about it here.

• Fashion for Good has launched a groundbreaking initiative to address the footwear industry’s significant circularity challenges. With 23.8 billion pairs of shoes produced annually, the complexity of multi-material designs and the lack of end-of-life infrastructure, almost 90% of footwear ends up being discarded. This initiative aims to transform the linear production model into a circular system by developing a roadmap for circular design principles to improve durability and repairability,mapping European footwear waste streams to assess recyclability, and validating innovative end-of-use solutions through trials and impact assessments. Learn more about Closing the Footwear Loop here.

• The H&M Foundation will now support the Fashion Initiative's latest demonstration project, The Fashion ReModel, helping to make circular business models the norm in the fashion industry. The Fashion ReModel is a demonstration project involving leading brands from across high-end, activewear, retailers, mid-range and high-street. It aims to identify solutions and unlock barriers in order to scale circular business models and begin to decouple revenue from production. Learn more here. 

• A sustainable baby equipment rental service received backing from two Dragons on the Den to expand operations and reduce waste from early-years products like travel cots. “With this support, I'll be able to expand sustainably, and continue our mission to reduce waste by offering families a convenient rental option instead of buying single-use items,” said founder Hayley Hanigan. Learn more about Tiny Explorers here.

• The future of pothole free roads may be cooking oil! A team of scientists from Swansea University and King’s College London, in collaboration with scientists in Chile, are designing a new “self-healing” asphalt using artificial intelligence (AI) combined with recycled oil-based rejuvenators. Read the report in full here. 

• The European Commission has awarded Northumbria University funding to develop artificial intelligence tool for improving construction waste management. Construction, demolition, and excavation waste currently accounts for 62% of the UK's total waste, generating 137.8 million tonnes annually. Government analysis indicates that improved productivity measures in construction, including waste reduction strategies, could contribute to significant industry savings while reducing carbon emissions, with Defra identifying construction waste reduction as a key priority in its waste prevention programme. Learn more about the project here.

• In more road building innovations, a two-year study has shown that using waste materials from copper and steel industries in pavement construction can significantly improve performance. This led to a 15% savings in construction costs compared to traditional materials, and reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by 50%. Read more about this study here.

• A new sustainable solution for wind turbines is taking flight! Voodin Blade Technology has partnered with Indian wind company Senvion to trial wooden blades for their turbines. This move follows Voodin's successful demonstration of their timber blades, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional blades, which are difficult to recycle at end-of-life. Learn more about the blades here.

• Wales has achieved the highest 12-month recycling rate on record. The figures released by the Welsh Government show a 0.7% increase in the amount of municipal waste recycled, reused, or composted compared to the year before. Learn more here. 

• Welsh Government has announced a timeline for developing a deposit return scheme, separate from the rest of the UK, with stakeholder sessions beginning March 2025 and formal consultation launching in summer. Learn more here.

• Virgin Media O2 has pledged to donate 12,000 devices to connect people in need in 2025. This move is part of the company’s commitment to tackle electronic waste and to support digital inclusion by getting pre-owned smartphones and mobile data in the hands of people who need them most. Learn more about the reuse move here. 

• The NFL Super Bowl 2025 featured a historic climate advert from the nonprofit group 'Science Moms,' urging climate action for future generations. This groundbreaking advert told the story of climate change through the life of a little girl and received praise for its emotional appeal and research-driven approach. Watch the ad here.

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Circular Economy News could not happen without the support of our funders:

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