Friday, 19 September 2025
Circular Economy: Global Innovations that Could Work in Ireland As the world grapples with environmental challenges, the circular economy emerges as a beacon of sustainability. The concept, which emphasises the minimisation of waste and the continuous use of resources, has gained traction across the globe. Ireland, with its unique position in Europe, stands to benefit […]
As the world grapples with environmental challenges, the circular economy emerges as a beacon of sustainability. The concept, which emphasises the minimisation of waste and the continuous use of resources, has gained traction across the globe. Ireland, with its unique position in Europe, stands to benefit immensely from global innovations in the circular economy. This article explores some of these innovations that could be adapted to boost sustainable practices in Ireland.
The circular economy is an economic model that aims to maintain the value of products, materials, and resources in the economy for as long as possible. Unlike the traditional linear model, which follows a ‘take-make-dispose’ approach, the circular economy promotes reuse, repair, and recycling. The ultimate goal is to create a closed-loop system where waste is significantly reduced.
The 10 global innovations in circular economy that can inspire Ireland include:
| # | Innovation | Country | Description | Circular Principle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loop (TerraCycle) | USA | A global reuse platform offering refillable packaging for household brands. | Reuse & Packaging Circularity |
| 2 | Fairphone | Netherlands | Modular, repairable smartphones designed to reduce e-waste and extend product life. | Design for Longevity |
| 3 | Bio-bean | UK | Converts used coffee grounds into advanced biofuels and biochemicals. | Waste-to-Resource |
| 4 | Veolia’s Water Reuse Systems | France | Industrial-scale greywater and wastewater recycling technologies. | Industrial Symbiosis |
| 5 | Ecovative | USA | Produces sustainable packaging and materials from mycelium (mushroom roots). | Bio-based Materials |
| 6 | ShareWaste App | Australia | Connects food waste producers with composters and worm farms in their area. | Community Resource Sharing |
| 7 | REset Plastic (Lidl) | Germany | Lidl’s plastic strategy to reduce, recycle, and redesign packaging in stores. | Retail Circularity |
| 8 | Interface Net-Works | Global (HQ USA) | Collects discarded fishing nets for use in recyclable carpet tiles. | Ocean Waste Recycling |
| 9 | Kamikatsu Zero Waste | Japan | A town where residents sort waste into 45 categories, achieving 80%+ recycling. | Zero-Waste Living |
| 10 | Circularity Capital Investments | UK | Invests in SMEs driving circular innovation across Europe. | Circular Financing |
In-depth examples of global innovations in circular economy include product-as-a-service model, urban mining, and biological nutrient cycles.
One of the most promising innovations in the circular economy is the product-as-a-service (PaaS) model, which shifts ownership from customer to provider. This model encourages manufacturers to design products with durability and repairability in mind.
Philips has embraced this model by offering lighting as a service. Instead of selling light bulbs, they provide energy-efficient lighting installations and maintain them over time. This approach encourages maintenance and reduces waste while promoting energy efficiency.
Urban mining involves reclaiming and recycling materials from existing buildings and products rather than extracting raw materials from the earth. This practice not only conserves resources but also reduces the amount of waste in landfills.
Cities like Rotterdam have implemented urban mining to recover steel from deconstructed buildings. Ireland, with its growing construction sector, could adopt similar practices to reclaim valuable materials from old structures.
This innovation focuses on designing products that can be returned to the environment safely at the end of their life cycle. By using biodegradable materials and ensuring that products can break down naturally, companies can create a closed loop of biological nutrients.
Companies like Biome Bioplastics in the UK produce biodegradable packaging that decomposes without leaving harmful residues. Irish businesses could leverage this innovation to replace single-use plastics, supporting both the economy and the environment.
Innovative Circular Economy potentials for Ireland include Food waste reduction, repair and reuse networks, and textile recycling initiatives.
Ireland’s food and drink sector is a critical part of its economy. Implementing innovations that reduce food waste could not only address environmental concerns but also contribute to economic savings.
The ‘Too Good To Go’ app connects consumers with restaurants and stores that have surplus food, allowing them to purchase meals at reduced prices. This initiative helps reduce food wastage while providing affordable meal options.
Creating community-based repair networks can be an effective way to promote a circular economy. These networks encourage individuals to fix rather than discard items, fostering a culture of reuse and sustainability.
Repair Cafés, where communities gather to fix broken items with the help of skilled volunteers, have gained popularity around the world. Establishing similar concepts in Ireland could mitigate waste and encourage community engagement.
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting sectors globally. Implementing textile recycling initiatives can create a more sustainable model within Ireland’s fashion industry.
H&M has launched a garment collecting initiative that encourages customers to return unwanted clothing in exchange for discounts. This practice helps reduce textile waste significantly while promoting recycling. Irish retailers could adopt similar models to minimise clothing waste.
An effective transition to a circular economy in Ireland requires robust policy support from the government. Legislation that incentivises sustainable practices, such as tax breaks for companies that implement circular models, could drive change.
The Irish government has already started taking steps in this direction with the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, which aims to reduce waste and promote more sustainable behaviours. Continued support in the form of grants and funding for circular economy initiatives will encourage businesses to innovate.
Educating the public about the benefits of a circular economy is essential. Campaigns focused on sustainability, recycling, and responsible consumption can foster a sense of community among consumers and businesses.
The transition to a circular economy holds immense potential for Ireland, particularly when harnessing global innovations. By looking beyond its borders and adopting successful strategies from around the world, Ireland can position itself as a leader in sustainability and circularity. This not only aids in environmental preservation but also enhances economic resilience in a rapidly changing world. Collaboration between government, businesses, and communities will be crucial as Ireland embarks on this transformative journey towards a circular economy.
Embracing these innovative strategies will not only contribute to global environmental goals but also ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for Ireland.
The circular economy is a sustainable model that promotes reuse, repair, and recycling to minimize waste and keep materials in use for as long as possible. For Ireland, this approach can reduce landfill reliance, lower emissions, and support green innovation, especially in sectors like food waste, textiles, and construction.
Ireland can benefit from global circular economy models such as:
– Loop (USA): Refillable packaging system
– Fairphone (Netherlands): Repairable electronics
– Bio-bean (UK): Coffee waste-to-biofuel
– Veolia Water Reuse (France): Industrial water recycling
– Repair Cafés (Global): Community repair initiatives
Adopting these innovations could boost sustainable practices across Irish businesses and communities.
Ireland can reduce food waste by implementing apps like Too Good To Go, which connect consumers with surplus food from restaurants at discounted prices. This approach supports waste reduction, saves money, and strengthens the local food economy while aligning with circular economy principles.
Irish government support is vital to scaling circular innovations. Policies like the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy promote recycling and sustainable consumption. Incentives such as tax breaks, grants, and funding for green SMEs can accelerate Ireland’s transition to a low-waste, high-efficiency economy.
Consumers can support the circular economy by:
– Participating in repair and reuse networks
– Choosing biodegradable or reusable packaging
– Recycling textiles through garment collection programs
– Engaging with education campaigns on sustainability
Community action and informed choices are key to building a resilient circular economy in Ireland.