Developing a Circular Textiles System for Ireland involved a pilot programme to test the impact of three different separate collection systems – such as kerbside/ door-to-door collections, new collection points or communications providing information about where and what to donate – for used textiles on the Irish market. These three pilots, Donate Don’t Waste, are taking place in Arklow Co Wicklow, Buncrana Co Donegal and Charleville Co Cork.

To our knowledge, a project of this nature has not been carried out before. It is particularly important to test systems in Ireland because of our unique context – with an extensive charity retail sector and privatised waste collection system. A communications campaign will be a key element of the pilot. 

The project also explored how we could manage the additional quantity of textiles that are collected. This will provide local business opportunities and support resilience.