The government has published a draft strategy on how Ireland can transition to a 'circular economy', and is inviting businesses, communities and citizens to contribute their views through a public consultation.

The draft strategy sets out what a circular economy is, why Ireland needs to achieve it and how national policy will develop to support that goal, according to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

The final strategy will provide an "important policy signal across the system and the markets that Ireland is committed to a transition to circularity".

The government had committed to producing this strategy under the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, said that the concept is built around 'doing more with less' or consuming fewer material resources to sustain our communities, homes and economy.

“The model builds on sharing, reusing and reinventing materials to meet our needs, and replaces the current ‘take, make, dispose’ model," the minister said.

"We are now developing a whole-of-government strategy to ensure Ireland transitions and avails of the opportunities the circular economy can provide. 

"These opportunities include reducing waste, shrinking our carbon footprint, supporting local and regional economic development, growing new business models and providing skilled employment opportunities.”

The public consultation is open until June 11.

To help communities make the transition to a circular economy, the government has launched a new Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS). This grant scheme aims to support innovation and projects by social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations and businesses with less than 50 employees. 

The total CEIGS is €250,000 for the 2021 call. The maximum year one grant available will be €50,000 – the indicative funding range for projects is €10,000 to €50,000.

Applications for funding could focus on the thematic areas which relate to priorities in Ireland: plastics, construction and demolition waste; food waste; and resources and raw materials.

Applications are open until May 28.

In line with the measures proposed in the Waste Action Plan, a consultation has also been launched on Ireland’s new Circular Economy Programme, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Activities within the programme will be focused on the sectors that use the most resources and where the potential for circularity is high.

The public consultation on the programme is open until June 11.