Cork County Council Rolls Out Reusable Party Packs to Help Communities Ditch Single-Use Plastics

Communities across County Cork are set to benefit from a new reusable party pack initiative aimed at reducing single-use plastics and encouraging more sustainable celebrations.

Cork County Council has begun distributing reusable party packs to groups across the county, including rugby, soccer and GAA clubs, as part of a wider scheme launched by local authorities across the Southern Waste Region.

Each pack contains reusable cups, plates, cutlery, jugs and bowls, along with colourful bunting created by Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI) using upcycled textiles. All items are washable, durable and designed for repeated use, and can support everything from birthday parties and coffee mornings to sports celebrations and school events.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, said:

"Reusing items is a positive climate action that we can all do. This project will help communities become more circular and sustainable without the cost and environmental impact of single-use party ware or products. This initiative directly supports sustainable development goals, and it promotes reuse and reducing waste in the community."

The scheme operates on a simple "Borrow, Use, Return" model. When a celebration is planned, residents can borrow the pack from the participating group. After the event, items are cleaned, dried and returned, keeping the pack in circulation and reducing reliance on single-use items. The initiative also aims to lower local waste management costs by cutting down on single-use catering products.

Beyond the packs themselves, the initiative encourages greener party planning, with tips including sending digital invitations, swapping traditional party bags for group activities, wrapping gifts in fabric and sharing leftovers in reusable containers.

The project is led by Environmental Awareness Officers across the Southern Waste Region, with funding through the Environmental Protection Agency's National Waste Prevention Programme. The Southern Waste Region comprises ten local authority areas: Carlow, Clare, Cork County, Cork City, Limerick City and County, Kerry, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford City and County, and Wexford.

Participation is open to a wide range of community and voluntary groups, including tidy towns groups, community voluntary groups, parent associations, active age groups and sports clubs. Schools, colleges, universities, family resource centres and other community centres and settings are also welcome to take part.

Groups interested in taking part can contact Cork County Council's Environmental Awareness Office at eao@corkcoco.ie.