Publications
Useful publications
Please see below some useful reference documents on reuse, recycling and the social economy. Use the buttons to navigate to the relevant sections.
European Strategy & Circular Economy Package
Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0
Circular Economy, Europe
This Circular Economy Action Plan provides a future-oriented agenda for achieving a cleaner and more competitive Europe in co-creation with economic actors, consumers, citizens and civil society organisations. Published 2020.
European Green Deal
Circular Economy, European Commission
This Communication sets out a European Green Deal for the European Union (EU)
and its citizens. It resets the Commission’s commitment to tackling climate and
environmental-related challenges that is this generation’s defining task. Published 2020.
Revised EU Waste Framework Directive 2018/851
Legislation, Europe, Reuse
The overarching piece of legislation covering all waste management in the EU with new measures including obligations to measure and eventually set targets for all types of reuse. Published 2018.
A New Strategic Agenda
Legislation, Europe, Reuse
The overall framework and direction for the EU to shape the future world, promote the interests of its citizens, businesses and societies, and safeguard our way of life.
Closing the Loop - An EU action plan for the Circular Economy
Circular Economy, European Commission
The European Commission’s Communication document outlining its action plan to support the transition towards a circular economy. Published 2015.
Circular economy in Europe developing the knowledge base
Circular, Reuse, EEA
The first EEA report in a series on the Circular Economy, describing the overall concept. It draws attention to the benefits and challenges in transitioning to a circular economy and highlights ways to measure progress.
Circular by Design_Products in the Circular Economy
Circular, Reuse, EEA
This second EEA report in the series highlights mechanisms for circularity, production ‑ consumption trends, systemic drivers of product design and use, and their implications for the governance of the transition to a circular economy
Review of Prevention and Reuse Best Practice
Circular, Reuse, EEB
This series of publications describes and provides examples of best practice in new prevention and reuse laws, economic instruments and separate collection methods.
Irish Climate Policy
Climate Action Plan 2019
Climate, Policy, National
The Government’s Climate Action Plan is committed to net zero carbon energy systems by 2050 for Irish society and in the process, creating a resilient, vibrant and sustainable country. Chapter 12 covers actions to be taken in the area of Waste and the Circular Economy.
Climate Action Plan 2019 Infographic
Climate, Policy, National
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Brunton T.D., held Climate Action Forums in communities around the country. This Infographic was provided to attendees as a summary of the 183 actions outlined in full Climate Action Plan 2019.
Climate Action Plan 2019 First Progress Report
Climate, Policy, National
The Government released its first quarterly progress report on the Climate Action Plan 2019 and states that 85%, or 149, of the actions due for delivery in Quarter 2 and 3 of 2019 have been delivered, with the remaining in progress and due for delivery by the end of the year. The Climate Action Delivery Board will continue to monitor progress.
Climate Change Advisory Council Annual Review 2019
Climate, Policy, National
The Climate Change Advisory Council is an independent advisory body tasked with reviewing national climate policy, progress on the achievement of the national transition objective and progress towards international targets. This is the Climate Change Advisory Council’s third Annual Review of progress towards transition. Published 2019.
Irish Resources Policy
National Review of Civic Amenity Sites
Report, Reuse, Civic Amenity Site
Evaluating operations at 1/3 of Ireland’s Civic Amenity Sites, this report makes recommendations that can help realise and release the full, collective potential of the CAS network to provide sustainable public waste
infrastructure, which responds to the needs of consumers and of policy challenges. Published 2020.
Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy
DCCAE, Circular Economy, National
This national waste policy will inform and give direction to waste planning and management in Ireland over the coming years. It will be followed by an All of Government Circular Economy Strategy. Published 2020.
Towards a Resource Efficient Ireland: A National Strategy to 2020
EPA, Reuse, National
Ireland’s National Strategy for Resource Efficiency, incorporating the National Waste Prevention Programme. Published 2014.
National Waste Prevention Programme
Prevention, Ireland, EPA
The National Waste Prevention Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative, led by the EPA, which supports national-level, strategic programmes to prevent waste and drive the circular economy in Ireland. CRNI is funded through this programme. Published 2018.
Watch the introductory video here.
Ireland's Environment - An Integrated Assessment 2020
EPA, Environment
These reports are important
milestones for Ireland, as they provide a snapshot of the environment at a particular point, as well as showing trends and changes in the environment
over time. Includes assessment of progress on resource efficiency. Published 2020.
Ireland's Regional Plans
Circular Economy, Job Creation
Ireland’s three regional plans are statutory documents required under the Waste Framework Directive, that set out the strategy, policies and actions for the prevention and management of wastes in a safe and sustainable manner. Published 2015.
Preventing waste, driving the circular economy (Annual Report 2018)
EPA, Reuse, National
This report provides an overview of progress made on waste prevention projects during 2018. Published 2020.
Moving Towards the Circular Economy in Ireland
Ireland, Reuse
A study for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) by Dr Simon O’Rafferty
Northern Ireland Policy
Waste Prevention Programme 2019: Stopping Waste in its Tracks
DAERA, Reuse, National
Building on ‘The Road to Zero Waste’ 2013 programme it is proposed to continue to support waste prevention through this updated programme, ‘Stopping Waste in its Tracks’
Delivering Resource Efficiency: Northern Ireland Waste Mgmt Strategy
DAERA, Reuse, National
Northern Ireland’s Strategy for Resource Efficiency, aiming to move the emphasis from resource management to resource efficiency.
The Road to Zero Waste - Waste Prevention Programme for Northern Ireland
DAERA, Prevention, National
This programme is designed to have a favourable impact on the Northern Ireland economy, helping to promote and support ‘green jobs’, and for the protection of the environment and conservation of resources
Green & Social Procurement
European Council Conclusions on public procurement of 25 November 2020
Procurement, Green, Social, Europe, Recovery, Covid-19
This document highlights how efficient public procurement rules and practices, combined with increased public spending, can accelerate the economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and lead to a sustainable and more resilient
EU economy. Published 2020.
Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement
Procurement, Green, Social, Ireland
The purpose of this Circular is to promote the wider use of environmental and social considerations in public procurement with specific regard to the Climate Action Plan 2019
Green Procurement: Guide for the Public Sector
Procurement, Resource efficiency
The EPA’s guidance document to assist the public sector to implement and maintain procedures for green public procurement, including consideration of reuse elements. Published 2014.
Incorporating Social Considerations into Public Procurement
Procurement, Social, OGP
The note details the key
factors to be aware of, as well as the procurement pathway for policy departments and
public bodies to follow when contemplating the use of social considerations in public
contracts. Published 2018.
Public Procurement for a Circular Economy: Good practice and guidance
Procurement, Circular Economy, European Commission
This European Commission brochure provides guidance on circular procurement, where public authorities purchase works, goods or services that contribute to closed energy and material loops within supply chains.
GPP4Growth Policy Briefings
Procurement, Resource efficiency
The Department of Environment (DCCAE) has published as part of an Interreg Project, a series of policy papers to exchange experiences & practices and improve on resource efficiency through Green Public Procurement (GPP).
EU Green Public Procurement criteria for Furniture
Procurement, Furniture, European Commission
These voluntary EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria aim to facilitate public authorities in the purchase of products, services and works relating to furniture including refurbishment, new furniture and the end-of-life services.
Circular Economy, Social Enterprise, Job Creation, Training, Volunteering
National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022
Social Enterprise, Policy,, National
The Minister for Community and Rural Development, Michael Ring T.D., launched the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 on 18 July 2019 (view Minster Ring’s keynote address here). There have been calls for such a policy for many years and its publication represents a key milestone for social enterprises in Ireland. Published 2019.
National Volunteering Strategy (2021 - 2025)
Volunteering, Policy, National
This strategy sets out a long-term vision for volunteering and volunteers in Ireland. It also provides an opportunity for Government to acknowledge how important volunteering is to the well-being of the nation and to steer the delivery of an agreed and ambitious vision. Published 2020.
Social Enterprises and their Ecosystems in Europe
Social Enterprise, Europe
To boost social enterprise, 16 EU countries have adopted new legislation during the past decade and 11 countries have created explicit policies to support its development, according to a new synthesis report ‘Social enterprises and their ecosystems in Europe.’ Published 2020.
The Impact of Volunteering on the Health and Well-Being of the Volunteer
Volunteer
In 2017, Volunteer Ireland conducted research into the impact volunteering has on the health and well-being of volunteers. Combining focus groups with the results of a national survey of volunteers, the report concluded that volunteering has a positive impact on volunteers in a multitude of ways. (source: Volunteer Ireland website)
Jobs and Skills in the Circular Economy
Social Enterprise, Policy,, National
This report is based on the current status of the circular economy and expert predictions of how the circular transition will play out over the next 10 to 20 years. We outline how the circular economy may have specific implications on aspects of the labour market. Published 2020.
Job Creation in the Circular Economy - Increasing Resource Efficiency in Northern Ireland
Circular Economy, Job Creation
Prepared by WRAP and the Green Alliance, this shows the potential of the circular economy to deliver employment opportunities across a range of skills to the Northern Ireland economy. Published 2015.
Other Reports & Strategies on the Circular Economy
The Circularity Gap Report 2021
Circular Economy, Reuse, Design, Raw Materials, Resource Extraction
The report examines and extrapolates common challenges and opportunities experienced by distinct country groups and provides action pathways for each. All indicators point to the reality that the globe remains engulfed by the linear economy and its unsustainable practices, processes and behaviours. However, from the Covid-19 pandemic, we are now armed with the knowledge that transformational change is doable. Published 2021
The Circular Economy in Cities and Regions
Circular Economy, OECD, Cities
This synthesis report builds on the findings from 51 cities and regions to provide a compendium of good practices, obstacles and opportunities, analysed through the lens of its 3Ps analytical framework (people, policies and places). It concludes with policy recommendations, a Checklist for Action and a Scoreboard to help foster the transition towards the circular economy in cities and regions. Published 2020
Ecopreneur Circular Economy Update - Overview of Circular Economy in Europe
Circular Economy, Reuse, Europe
The analysis by Ecopreneur shows that this work requires leadership, targets, and new resource policies across the EU, as aligned and harmonised as can be. Published 2019.
The Circular Economy - A Powerful Force for Climate Mitigation
Circular Economy, Reuse, Climate
This report takes a first step towards quantifying the potential for circular economy opportunities to reduce GHG emissions, examining materials flows and value chains, identifying relevant approaches and their cost-effectiveness. It also considers barriers and policies that could overcome them.
Making things Last: A Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland
Circular Economy, Reuse, Scotland
Scotland’s first Circular Economy strategy demonstrating ambition and leadership in the area of reuse. Published 2016.
Our Waste, Our Resources: Strategy for England
Circular Economy, Reuse, England
This strategy sets out how England will preserve its stock of material resources by minimising waste, promoting resource efficiency and moving towards a circular economy.
Preparation for re-use: a roadmap for a paradigm shift in Wales
Preparation for reuse, targets
This report shows potential impacts of the ambitious Welsh plan to drive preparation for reuse through setting targets, supporting third sector and promoting a reuse standard.
Municipality-led circular economy case studies
Circular Economy, Reuse, Procurement, Civic Waste
Case studies showing how municipalities around the world are transitioning to low-carbon economies and are enabling greater energy and material efficiency, lower pollution and GHG emissions and job creation. C40 & Climate-KIC. Published 2018
Fashion and the Circular Economy
The Environmental Price of Fash Fashion
Textiles, Reuse, Environment
A summary of the impact of fast fashion on the environment and the need for fundamental changes in the fashion business model.
Fashion Transparency Index 2020
Textiles, Reuse, Social
A review of 250 of the biggest global fashion brands and retailers ranked according to how much they disclose about their social and environmental policies, practices and impacts.
Fixing Fashion: clothing consumption and sustainability
Textiles, Reuse, Social
This report describes the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry and examines new economic models that could help improve the sustainability of the fashion industry.
Style Guide: Exploring Fashion and Sustainability
Textiles, Reuse, Social
This guide, produced by the London College of Fashion’s Centre for Sustainability, was provided to attendees of the 2020 BAFTA Awards. Guests were asked to incorporate sustainability into their fashion selection, such as re-wearing, renting or buying vintage.
A New Textiles Economy: Redressing Fashion's Future
Textiles, Reuse, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Circular Economy
This report outlines a vision for a new textiles economy where clothes, textiles, and fibres are kept at their highest value during use and re-enter the economy afterwards, never ending up as waste.
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Our funders
EPA National Waste Prevention Programme
CRNI supports its members and works to mainstream reuse thanks to core funding provided by the EPA under the National Waste Prevention Programme.
For more information about the programme see here.
Project Funding
Pilot Northern Ireland Reuse and Repair Network
CRNI received funding from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and rural Affairs in 2020 to carry out a pilot establishing a reuse and repair network in Northern Ireland.
For more information about the project see here.
Qualification and Quantification of Reuse
CRNI is part of a research consortium working on the Q2Reuse project, which aims to develop a methodology for the qualification and quantification of reuse. This project will be concluded in 2021.
For more information about the project see here.
CRNI is the all island representative body for community based reuse, recycling and waste prevention organisations. We are funded by the EPA under the National Waste Prevention Programme and through membership contributions. CRNI is a proud member of the European RREUSE network.
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