Minister O’Brien and Minister Dillon launch Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy

• Plan will transform how we use materials and resources, cut waste, boost productivity, and create sustainable jobs in every part of our country
• Pilot National Pilot Repair Voucher Scheme will reduce repair costs, increase perceived value of used devices and drive society-wide support for repair
• Digital Product Passport (DPP) will help consumers to make informed decisions; initial, priority DPP products will include textiles, furniture and tyres

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon today launched Ireland’s Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028. The strategy sets out an ambitious national plan to accelerate Ireland’s transition from a linear ‘take make waste’ model to a circular, sustainable economy.
The strategy will enhance our ability to keep materials and products in use for longer, reduce waste and enable circular innovation across every sector of society, building resilience in supply chains, lowering emissions, and strengthening Ireland’s competitiveness as part of its broader climate and green enterprise agenda.
Minister O’Brien said:
“Nearly half of global greenhouse gas emissions come from how we make and use goods, food and materials. By embedding circularity across our economy, we can cut those emissions at the source – long before they reach our atmosphere. This is not simply an environmental project; it is a cornerstone of our climate action agenda. Every tonne of material that’s reused, every product that’s repaired rather than replaced, represents carbon that never needs to be emitted. That is the power of the circular economy. This Strategy sets out how we will harness that power – through innovation, investment, and collaboration.”
Minister Dillon said:
“The circular economy is central to how Ireland will grow cleaner, smarter, and more self-reliant. Through innovation, design and enterprise we can transform how we use materials and resources, cut waste, boost productivity, and create sustainable jobs in every part of our country. Implementation of this strategy will show that circularity is not an abstract idea but a practical, economic, and achievable way forward – one that helps families and businesses get better value, while strengthening Ireland’s competitiveness and resilience. My ambition is to make circular thinking the new normal and secure a more prosperous, resilient, and sustainable Ireland.
“This second Circular Economy Strategy is about practical action – changing how Ireland designs, builds, consumes, and reuses. It places innovation, enterprise, and people at the heart of climate action – cutting waste, creating jobs, and reducing costs for households and businesses.”
The strategy aims to:

• Increase Ireland’s Circular Material Use Rate (CMUR) by 2 percentage points annually, reaching 12% by 2030.
• Support economic expansion, while improving resource productivity and reducing dependency on virgin raw materials.
• Strengthen Ireland’s position as a centre for sustainable design, advanced manufacturing, and innovative circular business models.
• Empower people and communities to make sustainable, cost‑effective choices through initiatives such as the introduction of a pilot National Repair Voucher Scheme.
• Support local authorities in developing reuse, repair, and recycling hubs nationwide.
• Place digitalisation and data‑driven innovation at the core of the circular transition.

The Circular Economy Strategy builds on the strong policy foundations established over the past five years, including the Circular Economy Act 2022, the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, the Green Public Procurement Strategy & Action Plan, the Climate Action Plan, and the National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy.
National Pilot Repair Voucher Scheme
Behavioural studies have found that the price of repair (and especially the price gap between repair and replacement) can be the most important factor influencing a decision to repair. A National Pilot Repair Voucher Scheme will be introduced, supported by the Circular Economy Fund, that will focus on the reuse and repair of consumer products. The pilot scheme will be designed through the National Reuse and Repair Network and will be rolled out by 2027. This will facilitate a shift in consumer roles – from purchasers to stewards of products and devices by reducing repair costs, increasing the perceived value of used devices and driving society-wide support for repair.
Digital Product Passport (DPP)
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is an innovation (under the 2024 EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation) that will store and share data about a product's sustainability, circularity and regulatory compliance. The DPP will be available to consumers, businesses and relevant authorities. It will help consumers to make informed decisions about what they buy, and it will drive demand for sustainable products. The DPP could also host additional information, like product instructions or conformity documents. Priority products that will have a DPP over the coming years include textiles, furniture, tyres and mattresses.
Sectoral Action and Targets:
The strategy sets actions and targets for six key priority sectors – to deliver environmental and economic benefits:

• Construction – Publication of a Circularity Roadmap for the Construction Sector in 2026 and agreement on a sectoral compact partnership between the Government and Construction Industry to accelerate circular practices.
• Bioeconomy (including agriculture) – Publication of a new National Bioeconomy Strategy and Food Waste Prevention Roadmap by 2026 to support sustainable biomass use and cut food waste by 50% by 2030.
• Retail – Greater support for repair, re-use and waste prevention, including Bring‑Your‑Own container options in food service from 2027.
• Packaging – Implementation of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, aiming for a 5% packaging waste reduction by 2030 and 90% plastic bottle collection by 2029.
• Textiles – Launch of a National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles in 2026, with nationwide full and enhanced separate textile collection by 2030.
• Electronics – Expansion of repair and remanufacturing, transposition of the Right to Repair Directive, and support for Ireland’s repair and reuse network.

Minister Dillon concluded:
“Ireland’s second Circular Economy Strategy is about practical action – changing how we design, build, consume, and reuse. It will help us meet our climate goals, grow resilient businesses, and empower communities. Every person, business, and public body has a role to play in making circularity the new normal. This strategy prioritises six key sectors to lead the way in delivering environmental and economic benefits by delivering clear actions through measurable targets.”
The Strategy can be viewed at this link.