Ireland Launches New Circular Economy Strategy to Cut Waste and Create Jobs

The Government has unveiled a wide-ranging plan to shift Ireland away from a throwaway culture, with repair vouchers, digital product passports, and sector-specific targets all on the agenda.

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon today, Tuesday 24 February 2026, launched Ireland's Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028, setting out a national roadmap to move the country from a "take, make, waste" model to one that keeps materials and products in use for longer.

The strategy aims to increase Ireland's Circular Material Use Rate by two percentage points each year, reaching 12% by 2030, while also cutting emissions, reducing dependency on raw materials, and creating sustainable employment.

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. Every tonne of material that's reused, every product that's repaired rather than replaced, represents carbon that never needs to be emitted."

Among the headline measures is a National Pilot Repair Voucher Scheme, which will subsidise the cost of repairing consumer products and devices. The scheme, funded through the Circular Economy Fund, is set to be rolled out by 2027 and will be designed through the National Reuse and Repair Network. The aim is to make repair a more attractive option than replacement, something many households will know is easier said than done when a new device often costs less than fixing the old one.

A Digital Product Passport (DPP) system will also be introduced under the EU's 2024 Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. The passport will store information on a product's sustainability, circularity, and regulatory compliance, helping consumers make more informed purchasing decisions. Priority products for the DPP will include textiles, furniture, tyres, and mattresses.

The strategy targets six key sectors: construction, the bioeconomy and agriculture, retail, packaging, textiles, and electronics. Key commitments include a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030, a 90% plastic bottle collection rate by 2029, a 5% reduction in packaging waste by 2030, and a Bring-Your-Own container option in food service outlets from 2027.

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."

Progress will be tracked through a new National Circularity Dashboard, to be developed by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment in collaboration with the EPA and the Central Statistics Office, with an annual report to Government on Ireland's progress.

The full strategy is available to view on the Government's website.