CRNI welcomes the publication of the National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles

Community Resources Network Ireland (CRNI) welcomes the publication of the National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles 2026–2028, an important milestone in setting a clear national direction for reducing textile waste and building a more sustainable and circular textiles system in Ireland.

The Roadmap reflects both the scale of the textiles challenge and the significant opportunity to generate environmental, social and economic value through prevention, reuse, repair and improved end of life management of textiles.

CRNI Executive Director Aidan Ó Gormáin said:
“The Roadmap’s recognition of the vital role of social enterprises in delivering this transition is particularly welcome. Across Ireland, CRNI members already provide practical circular solutions through textile reuse, repair, retail, skills development and community engagement. This Roadmap points to real opportunities for social enterprise to strengthen its role in leading the shift towards a more circular and socially inclusive society.”

The Roadmap’s vision of a system in which textiles are valued, citizens are supported to make more sustainable choices, and social enterprises are recognised, promoted and sustainably financed aligns strongly with CRNI’s long-standing advocacy and with the work of its members across the country.

CRNI’s involvement is clearly reflected in the Roadmap. The organisation is identified as a stakeholder in the development and roll-out of the future Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Delivery Plan for textiles, in supporting social enterprises to participate in the EPR scheme, in ensuring textiles are prioritised within Circular Economy Innovation Grant funding, in shaping actions linked to a repair voucher scheme, and in supporting pilot and demonstration projects for textile reuse and repair.

CRNI also welcomes the Roadmap’s recognition of the need to strengthen textile collection, sorting, reuse and repair infrastructure, improve transparency around textile flows and exports, invest in skills and training, and build stronger domestic markets for circular textile products and services. These are all areas where community-based social enterprises are already making a substantial contribution, while also creating training, employment and social inclusion opportunities in local communities.

CRNI looks forward to working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and other partners to help deliver the Roadmap over coming years. We will continue to represent the interests and expertise of community-based circular social enterprises and to ensure that reuse and repair remain at the heart of Ireland’s response to the textile challenge.

Read the National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles 2026–2028 here: https://shorturl.at/WVKfG

• April 2, 2026