Ireland Launches Ambitious Circular Economy Strategy with Repair Vouchers and Digital Passports

Ireland’s government has launched a new Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028, outlining a national plan to shift away from a “accept-create-waste” model and embrace a more sustainable, resource-efficient economy. The strategy includes a National Pilot Repair Voucher scheme and the introduction of Digital Product Passports.

Driving Circularity: A National Plan

The strategy, unveiled by Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon, aims to increase Ireland’s Circular Material Use Rate by 2 percentage points annually, targeting a 12% rate by 2030 [Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment]. This transition is envisioned to strengthen the country’s economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and social wellbeing.

Repair Voucher Scheme to Boost Repair Culture

A key component of the new strategy is the National Pilot Repair Voucher Scheme, designed to reduce the cost of repairs and increase the perceived value of used goods [RTÉ]. The scheme, which will be supported by the Circular Economy Fund and rolled out next year, is based on research indicating that repair costs are a significant factor in consumers’ decisions about whether to repair or replace products [RTÉ].

Digital Product Passports to Empower Consumers

To promote informed consumer choices, the government will introduce Digital Product Passports (DPPs) [Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment]. Initially focusing on textiles, furniture, tyres, and mattresses, these passports will provide consumers with information about a product’s sustainability, circularity, and regulatory compliance [NewsDirectory3]. The aim is to empower consumers to make more environmentally conscious purchasing decisions.

Sector-Specific Targets and Initiatives

The circular economy strategy targets six key sectors for priority action: construction, bioeconomy, retail, packaging, textiles, and electronics [RTÉ]. Specific initiatives include:

• Publishing a ‘Circularity Roadmap for the Construction Sector’ this year and establishing a partnership between the Government and the construction industry to accelerate circular practices.
• A food waste prevention strategy aiming to cut food waste by 50% by 2030.
• Greater support for repair, re-use and waste prevention in the retail sector, including Bring Your Own container options in food services starting next year.
• Implementation of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, aiming for a 5% reduction in packaging waste by 2030 and 90% plastic bottle collection by 2029.
• Launching a National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles with full and enhanced separate textile collection nationwide by 2030.
• Transposing the EU Right to Repair Directive into Irish law and expanding Ireland’s repair and remanufacturing sector.

The Broader Impact of a Circular Economy

Minister O’Brien emphasized that nearly half of global greenhouse gas emissions stem from the production and use of goods, food, and materials. By embedding circularity across the economy, Ireland aims to cut these emissions at the source [Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment]. Minister Dillon added that the strategy places innovation, enterprise, and people at the heart of climate action, creating jobs and reducing costs for households and businesses [Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment].