Retool for Climate Action this National Reuse Month

National Reuse Month is taking place 1 – 31 October and presents opportunities for everyone throughout the country to learn new repair and reuse skills to help the environment.

Prevention, reuse and repair are all ways to extend the lifespan of products like clothing and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Studies have found that textile production alone contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined. This year, the aim of National Reuse Month is to encourage people to take climate action by valuing their existing belongings. This will also contribute to a more Circular Economy, which moves from the unsustainable and disposable ‘take, make and waste’ model to one of producing high-quality products that last longer and can be reused, repaired, upgraded or refurbished.

As part of National Reuse Month, the Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI) aims to highlight the need for climate action through reuse and repair and encourage everyone to get involved. October will be a full month of activities throughout the country including three flagship events being organised by CRNI in partnership with the Regional Waste Authorities. These events will take place in Sligo (The Style Sessions, 12 October), Cork (Circular and Social Enterprises Helping our Climate, 24 October) and Athlone (Future Jobs & Skills for a Circular Economy, 29 October).

CRNI members, who are community-based reuse, recycling and waste prevention organisations, are also involved in exciting projects during Reuse Month. These include the Upcycle Challenge with FreeTrade Ireland, an initiative by ReCreate to highlight sustainability through creative reuse, a Relove Fashion competition for schools with the Rediscovery Centre, exhibitions at the Reuse Republic in Cork and much more. Details about these events and other reuse resources can be found at crni.ie/reuse-month.

“We are delighted to be part of the important National Reuse Month campaign,” says Claire Downey, Executive of CRNI. “The events are a way to showcase what reuse and repair are all about and how they contribute to climate action and social inclusion.”

The Style Sessions, 12 October in Sligo: Sustainable style will ‘take-off’ at the Sligo Airport with The Style Sessions indoor fashion runway, pre-loved marketplace, upcycling workshops and panel discussions on sustainable fashion and design. Fashion fanatics can shop pre-loved clothes sourced from Sligo-based charity shops and local upcyclers. Geraldine and Taz from the Sustainable Fashion Dublin collective will go head-to-head in a Second-hand Style Stand-off competition to create the best second-hand looks from a range of donated clothes. Buying pre-loved clothes and re-wearing the clothes we have can reduce our carbon-footprint and the amount we spend so The Style Sessions is the perfect place to start! The event is a collaboration between Sligo County Council, the Connacht-Ulster Waste Management Region and Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI). Saturday, 12 October from 11am – 2:30pm at Sligo Airport terminal building. Admission is free of charge, visit crni.ie/events for details.

Circular and Social Enterprises Helping our Climate, 24 October in Cork: Come and meet some of the leading social enterprises in Cork that are helping to deliver climate action through reuse and recycling. Centred around the Sustainable Development Goals 8, 12, 13 and 17, you will find out about the EU and local impact of social enterprises in reuse and recycling, and hear from businesses about partnerships for a more circular, sustainable and social future. The event is a collaboration between the Southern Waste Regional Office, ecowell Cork, Cork City Council and Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI) and forms part of an EU wide initiative by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Enterprise (DG GROW) to raise awareness about the social economy at a local and regional level. Thursday, 24 October from 6:30 – 8:30pm at County Hall Cork. Admission is free of charge, register on Eventbrite.

Future Jobs & Skills for a Circular Economy, 29 October in Athlone: Ireland is in the process of transitioning to the circular economy. Soon, the value of products, materials and resources will be maintained in our economy for as long as possible, and waste minimised. However, are we fully ready for this transition? What skills shortages exist in the repair, refurbishment and retail sectors that are blocking this transition? How are we preparing for the transition so that these skills gaps can be overcome? The Eastern-Midlands Waste Management Region, Chartered Institution of Wastes Management Ireland Centre, and Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI) invite you to Athlone Institute of Technology to join us in asking these questions – and finding some solutions. Future Jobs and Skills for a Circular Economy is a half day event that will highlight gaps in our jobs and skills base needed for prevention, reuse and repair in Ireland – and what can be done about it. Tuesday, 29 October from 9:30am – 1:30pm at Athlone Institute of Technology. Admission is free of charge, register on Eventbrite.

About Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI)

Community Reuse Network Ireland is the all-island representative body for community-based reuse, recycling and waste prevention organisations. Our vision is an Ireland where the word ‘waste’ doesn’t exist and where our entire community benefits from the social, environmental and economic value of all reusable resources. The network is funded under the EPA’s National Waste Prevention Programme. More information on our work and members is available at  crni.ie and at CRNIreland on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

About National Reuse Month

October is Ireland’s National Reuse Month, reuse is about valuing our stuff, by using and reusing it for as long and as often as possible. This avoids the need to extract raw materials, manufacture and distribute new stuff, and avoids waste thereby cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. Throughout October the public and organisations hold and attend community-based workshops in a multitude of areas such as managing food waste and upcycling everything from fashion to furniture. The idea is to bring people beyond the idea of “reduce, reuse and recycle” to a more conscious prevention of waste in the first place. More information is available at https://www.mywaste.ie/reuse-month/

• September 26, 2019