Circular Economy IE - Q2 2023

Kristin Hughes Director, Resource Circularity, World Economic Forum

Grow a sustainable business by embracing the circular transformation

Organisations that embark on circular transformations and create more adaptable operating and business models will be better positioned to prosper, even in times of disruption, while contributing to sustainable growth.

With an ever-changing landscape in the global economy, industrial companies are forced to rethink their use of resources and contribution to economic growth. Circular transformation can help achieve robust and sustainable expansion in a resource-constrained world.

Business models that encourage circular transformation

The circular transformation of industries at large can help companies unlock productivity, innovation and sustainability. It will require systemic change within organisations and the involvement of all stakeholders — including government, academia and civil society. Circular practices

— such as recovering resources and regenerating materials

— build more productive, resilient, resource-efficient, closed-loop supply chains while bolstering sustainability and driving economic growth.

are looped through the value chain multiple times, which can generate new sources of revenues and profits as well as better meet consumer needs.

Showing initiative to set industry standards

Without commitments from all stakeholders and global collaborative efforts, the circular transformation will continue to stagnate, delivering only slow and incremental shifts. The world needs stakeholders to come together to build the ‘operating system’ for the circular economy and follow in the footsteps of industry innovators. We’re seeing industries and policymakers turn towards resource circularity to help secure, transform and diversify the supply of industry-critical materials while reducing the need for extraction and associated emissions.

How the Circular Economy Programme is enabling a more resourceful Ireland

Warren Phelan Programme Manager, Circular Economy Programme, Environmental Protection Agency

The Circular Economy Programme drives Ireland’s move to a circular economy — where businesses, citizens and the public sector reduce resource use, prevent waste and achieve sustainable economic growth.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delivers Ireland’s Circular Economy Programme. The Programme has a broad range of activities — producing national statistics; leading the national food waste prevention programme; providing funding support; working through partnerships; making regulatory decisions supporting circular practices.

National waste and circular economy statistics

by 2030. Stop Food Waste is the consumer-facing element of the Circular Economy Programme’s food waste prevention programme. Stop Food Waste has an ongoing and evidence-led communications campaign including National Stop Food Waste Day on 1st March. For businesses, the current focus is providing support to measure food waste consistently using the EPA’s standard methodology. A Food Waste Charter will be launched this summer, and we will be working with government, State Agencies and business representative organisations to ensure that food businesses sign up for the Charter and commit to measuring food waste, reporting annually and working to reduce food waste.

Ireland regulation for circularity

• Resilient supply chains: Circularity increases control of supplies and improves supply chains’ responsiveness to global disruptions and helps address shortages.

• Resource efficiency: Circularity enables new operating and business models so that all materials can be easily reused, repaired, remanufactured, recovered and recycled.

• Environmental sustainability: By limiting wasteful consumption and production practices, circularity reduces the climate footprint of economic activity and enables the delivery of net zero emission goals.

• Economic growth: Circular operating and business models encourage market products that

Industry

collaboration can promote circularity

Industry coalitions have worked with future-focused governments to establish the incentives, policy frameworks, standards, operating models, certifications and circularity-focused capabilities that are necessary to scale. In some markets, business models have been transformed to decrease demand and increase both the recovery potential and actual recovery of these resources, partially mitigating the demand-supply gap going forward. We are calling upon organisations to join a growing cohort of circular industry transformation leaders to partner with us on this journey to collaborate at an unprecedented scale towards a circular transformation of our industries. Senior

Ireland has challenging targets under EU legislation, and the Circular Economy Programme is providing evidence of our distance to targets. There are immediate challenges to meeting 2025 targets for plastic packaging (50%) and municipal waste (55%) recycling. The National Waste Statistics webpages have the latest statistics. The Circular Economy Programme also delivers national municipal waste characterisation surveys. This measures what’s in household and commercial kerbside bins; the latest survey results will be published in September and gives valuable information to regulators and policymakers.

bins, similar to households.

The Circular Economy Programme has regulatory decision-making responsibilities including end-of-waste, by-products and authorisation of waste licences. A challenge in regulating for circularity is keeping pace with innovation in this dynamic policy area while protecting the environment and human health.

Our last survey in 2018 highlighted very poor segregation practices, especially in commercial bins. This is impacting Ireland’s municipal recycling rate which has stagnated at 41%. New regulations are coming into force this year which will require commercial operators to have three bins, similar to households.

National food waste prevention programme

Ireland generates about 800 kilotonnes of food waste annually; and under UN SDG 12.3, we committed to halving food waste

To support circularity in the construction sector, the Programme is developing national criteria for three construction streams — recycled aggregates, site-won asphalt and greenfield soil and stone. These criteria will be an important resource in helping to reduce construction waste which is currently over 8 million tonnes.

For information on our wide range of programme activities, see The Circular Economy | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie) or contact cep@epa.ie

Thomas

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Without commitments from all stakeholders and global collaborative efforts, the circular transformation will continue to stagnate.

New regulations are coming into force this year which will require commercial operators to have three

Compostable bioplastics help food businesses move to circular packaging

Innovations in compostable bioplastics can help food businesses to remove traditional plastics from shelves in support of the circular economy.

Compostable bag producer BioBag has, for example, partnered with Molloys Butchers in Ardkeen Waterford to launch the first bioplastic cling film. It is an entirely compostable, commercial-grade alternative certified for disposal in domestic food waste bins. Compostable waste is turned into fertile compost — a soil improver, which further sustains food production.

Compostable bioplastic wrap can replace plastic on food packs Compostable bioplastic film allows Molloys Butchers to ‘close the circle’ by providing customers with fully recyclable tray packs, wrapped in 100% compostable film, while not compromising quality or functionality, says owner Keith Molloy.

“The whole idea of plastic film is to keep products fresh, and the compostable wrap equivalent works equally well to keep the trays sealed while still looking good,” says Molloy. “Our customers have embraced this sustainable

Ignite change through policy, citizen engagement and innovation in Dublin

Since 2020, Ireland has witnessed an outstanding surge in efforts to invest, share knowledge and foster the circular economy across all parts of our society.

The commitment to growing circularity is evident through recent policy, innovation and citizen engagement initiatives — all of which will be showcased during the upcoming Circular Economy Hotspot Dublin 2023.

Policy in practice for a circular economy

Recent actions from Irish policymakers have laid the groundwork for circularity to become embedded into the lives of Irish citizens. Cross-government initiatives like the Whole of Government Circular Economy

approach and are onboard in using compostable products or reusable packaging.”

When making the switch to bioplastic compostables, food businesses should choose certified products from a specialist supplier; one who places equal emphasis on solving environmental problems and promotes sustainable consumption. BioBag products, for example, are certified to most global standards including EN13432. They are also recognised by Cré, The Composting Authority of Ireland as suitable for disposal in domestic food waste collections. Retailers can be confident that these products comply with EU legislation on packaging waste and compostables. Bioplastics are good for business and the environment Working with Italian research company Novamont, BioBag has developed a compostable, food-safe film, says Rory Hogarty, the company’s MD in Ireland. Food businesses worry that adopting compostables will be prohibitively costly and complicated.

However, he explains: “To minimise waste, it was essential that our bioplastic alternative works in the automatic and manual wrap machines already in use by supermarkets and food producers. This took time to perfect but is now like-for-like in terms of ‘cling.’ Likewise, our bioeconomy approach ensures that our non-food, plant materials and our production chain — from farmer to factory — are renewable and sustainable.”

For businesses, using compostables brings a range of benefits including extending the shelf life of perishable products, reducing food waste and supporting customers with recycling. It allows companies to meet the increasing demands of customers who are adopting more sustainable consumption practices when food shopping.

Molloy adds: “Using recyclable packaging, compostable bags and food wrap helps bring a new way of thinking to the fore. It encourages sustainable behaviours and gets people thinking about other areas in their day-to-day where they could reduce waste.”

we must, as a nation, take every opportunity to raise awareness, educate the public and create communities of sustainable action so that circularity becomes the norm in our everyday lives.

Working together and contributing

Underpinning Ireland’s circular economic plans are its leading third-level institutions, business innovators, social enterprises and creative minds. Governmental support has been instrumental in driving circular economy innovation across stakeholders, particularly through the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme. This funding scheme encourages social enterprises, voluntary organisations and businesses to contribute to Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.

Strategy exemplify this commitment, ensuring that circularity plays a key role in Ireland’s future development. The outputs of this policy work will be highlighted at the 2023 event.

Citizen engagement spreads action

Without meaningful citizen engagement, we cannot bring circularity to life. Research conducted in 2021 revealed that only one in four Irish people have heard of the circular economy. Further statistics from the EPA show that each year, people in Ireland produced more than 14 million tonnes of waste. To address this,

Play your part this 2023 and beyond

We all have a role to play in Ireland’s circular transition, and Circular Economy Hotspot Dublin 2023 is a great place to start. From May 29th to June 1st, topics that are critical to the growth and development of the circular economy will be explored — including food, the built environment, social enterprise, design, manufacturing, textiles and communications. Whether you want to learn about the topic, showcase your initiatives or connect with like-minded individuals, this event is for you.

Rory Hogarty Managing Director, BioBag Ireland UK

Sarah Brown

Dr Sarah Miller Chief Executive, The Rediscovery Centre

Keith Molloy Managing Director, Molloys Butchers Ardkeen

Damian Coughlan Circular Economy Technologist, Irish Manufacturing Research

Industry 5.0 is key to circular economy and business success

Digitisation and Industry 5.0 are enabling businesses to rethink the design and manufacture of products to keep them in use in the economy.

Through digitisation, data exchange systems can be implemented to monitor and understand the life cycle of products with insights for circular design as well as greater resource productivity in manufacturing. Data availability and sharing are key to making these improvements, increasing business resilience to supply chain shocks and capturing circular advantage.

EU regulations driving circularity through digitisation

The European Union’s (EU) Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI) is a framework regulation that aims to boost the circularity of the EU’s single market. The SPI is proposing to build in sustainability throughout the entire product lifecycle starting at the design phase.

The SPI also underpins future requirements for all physical goods placed on the market in Europe to demonstrate how they are environmentally friendly, circular and energy-efficient. The introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPP) will be key to operationalising the SPI.

Keeping products in use through digital passports DPPs allow information to be captured from a product over its life cycle. These passports will contain information on the product’s composition — including material and chemical properties — and on circularity such as service, repair, reuse and recycle data.

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) are part of the consortia developing ‘CircThread,’ an open-source platform which is building a ‘digital thread’ to connect

A guided five-step plan to help organisations on their circular transition journey

Getting started on the journey towards a circular economy can be daunting, and many organisations don’t know where to start. However, there is a five-step process that can help.

information across the product life cycle to provide consumers with information on appliances (eg. from materials to design and manufacturing) and enable products to be kept in use in the economy for longer.

AI as a key enabler of circular innovation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have a pivotal role in enabling circular implementation. Advanced AI can recover secondary raw material from electronics waste that may be difficult and hazardous to recycle, as one example.

Peregrine Technologies (trading as FPD Recycling) successfully led the CIRCULÉIRE-funded innovation pilot called ‘RoboCRM’ which prototyped a non-destructive detection method using AI. It can identify and sort electronics containing batteries, which can enable higher-value recovery and recycling of critical raw materials.

Supporting AI deployment for circularity IMR is also leading the EPA-funded ‘AI for Circular Economy’ (AI4CE) project which explores barriers and enablers of utilising AI to accelerate circular implementation in Ireland. The project will develop a toolkit to support companies to accelerate their use of AI to implement circularity.

These advanced initiatives demonstrate how digitisation and Industry 5.0 can enable the scaling up of a circular economy, benefiting businesses and future generations.

CIRCULÉIRE is Ireland’s first circular innovation network, led by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR). They support the industry on its transition towards circularity, reducing waste and associated emissions through a range of support and advisory services.

Developing action plans for a circular transition

Through CIRCULÉIRE, IMR has developed a unique circular economy (CE) action plan development process which identifies resource impact hotspots and opportunities to implement circularity practices and business models.

Companies go through a five-step process to drive circular implementation: (1) Baseline Survey, (2) Maturity Assessment, (3) Site Assessment, (4) Register of Circular Opportunities and (5) CE Action Plan.

Circular transition in five steps

Step 1 – Baseline Survey: IMR works with organisations to create a baseline of their impacts (across materials, water and energy) and identify impact hotspots which create internal awareness of their scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

Step 2 – Maturity Assessment: We designed a circular maturity toolkit to support organisations so that they can understand their readiness to embrace circularity. This simple but powerful online tool enables organisations to reflect on key capabilities required to implement circularity (eg. strategy, culture, collaboration, innovation to business models, design and manufacturing, product life extension, digitalisation and targets/KPIs).

Step 3 – Site Assessment: Our expert team conducts an onsite audit of operational processes and practices. Here, we identify production bottlenecks, product and process inefficiencies and potential opportunities to valorise structural waste (raw materials, energy, water, waste, packaging, etc.) to support greater resource productivity and value creation.

Step 4 – Register of Circular Opportunities: Synthesising insights from steps 1–3, we deliver an interactive crossfunctional stakeholder workshop to review and prioritise the register of circular-oriented innovation opportunities identified to reduce costs, improve supply-chain resilience and create new value propositions.

Step 5 – CE Action Plan: Building on insights from sectoral best practice research, IMR designs a bespoke circular economy action plan with short-term, medium-term and longer-term circular opportunities and goals to drive organisations’ circular implementation and enable tracking of circularity performance over time.

Support to capture circular advantage

Over 50 members across multiple sectors have engaged with CIRCULÉIRE to drive their circular transition by setting targets and implementing circular economy practices to reduce their carbon emissions and capture a circular advantage.

Vikrant Bakir Sustainability Technologist, CIRCULÉIRE

Companies go through a five-step process to drive circular implementation.

How we can replace fossil fuels fast on Ireland’s decarbonisation journey

Declan Meally — Director of Business, Public Sector and Transport at Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) — explains that when it comes to carbon emissions, the ‘Three Fs’ are key: farm animals, fertiliser and fossil fuels.

The first two are responsible for just 33% of carbon emitted into the atmosphere. Fossil fuels are responsible for the other two-thirds. “We are taking fuel out of the ground in a linear fashion,” says Meally.

“That is simply not sustainable. It’s been said that our fossil use is releasing energy into the atmosphere in the form of heat at the equivalent of four Hiroshima bombs per second. So, we need to go after these fuels — fast.”

Replacing fossil fuels to decarbonise Ireland

SEAI introduced the Irish Energy Management Standard in 2006 to help industry manage its energy with a focus on cost and competitiveness. The model is rooted in the importance of structure, and it has also helped business networks and communities to understand what they are doing and which technologies and behaviours are available to create change and be

more efficient. The focus has somewhat changed from the early days when the focus was cost-saving. “Now, decarbonisation is the target,” Meally says. “We want to move to renewable energy, not just by reducing our use of fossil fuels but replacing them with renewable alternatives. The good news is that our processes designed in 2006 have stood the test of time and will enable business to tackle their decarbonisation challenges.”

“We are locked into using heat in a certain way, and installing heat pumps requires investment,” Meally explains. “The technology is improving; costs are reducing; our grants are increasing — but retrofitting is challenging, and it is a learning process.”

Cross-governmental approach can speed up decarbonisation

The new Climate Action Plan takes a cross-Governmental approach, with departments taking joint responsibility for a greener future f or Ireland. “That’s been the game-changer,” Meally says. “It makes sure we are all working towards the greening of our economy rather than just talking about it.”

So far, that seems to be the case. Ireland hit its target of generating 40% of its electricity from renewables by 2020, while the public sector became 33% more efficient, and industry saved hundreds of millions of euro in reduced energy bills. Renewable heat, however, remains a big challenge.

“We are international leaders in renewable electricity and have a chance of leapfrogging countries in other areas. We are small, versatile and flexible — and already attract the best multinationals because of how we operate,” Meally adds.

“Of course, there’s a long way to go to hit our targets for 2030, but we are ready to build on this momentum and prove we don’t just talk a green talk but are ready to walk a green walk.”

Declan Meally Director of Business, Public Sector & Transport, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)

The need to decarbonise is increasingly urgent, and a joined-up approach can secure a greener future for All-Ireland.

WRITTEN BY Meredith Jones Russell

The technology is improving; costs are reducing; our grants are increasing — but retrofitting is challenging.

Nature can thrive if we collectively change the way we design food

Circular food design could feed (and water) everyone without depleting nature.

Guinness is helping farmers use regenerative approaches — or, as the company defines it, ‘putting in more than is taken out.’ One of their major aims is to regenerate soils so that they are healthier and better able to store (sequester) carbon.

The brewing giant will help farmers share learnings from the three-year pilot, with the aim that barley grown will be used to brew Guinness. This is one example of a desire to redesign our food system to allow nature to thrive while maintaining yields.

Current food design and its consequences

Globally, an area of arable land larger than the size of England degrades each year, sometimes rendering it

unfit for food production. Our global industrial food system not only generates one-third of greenhouse gases, it is also the principal driver of biodiversity loss.

Plentiful diversity of plants isn’t just nice to see on a day out; it sustains our human species. But it is undermined by the fact that 60% of the calories we consume are provided by just four crops (wheat, rice, maize and potatoes).

Hope through a circular economy approach

The top 10 food manufacturers and retailers influence the use of 40% of agricultural land in the EU and UK. They can introduce positive change by adopting a circular economy approach to food design. This is an actionable framework which makes

use of four design principles: use lower impact, diverse and upcycled ingredients and crops, all produced in a way that regenerates the environment.

One study found that, just for wheat, dairy and potato production across the UK and EU, this system could reduce farm-level greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% and increase biodiversity on farms by around 50%, as well as eventually boosting output and farmer profitability.

How food manufacturers and businesses can help

Ingredient selection choices made by product development teams (and buying decisions by retailers) can actively enable farmers to regenerate nature. Moreover, one-third of food produced globally ends up being wasted. Manufacturers can help to stem this tide by opting for upcycled ingredients that are often consigned to the bin or left to rot in the field.

Like Guinness’s pilot project, businesses can create more collaborative dynamics with farmers to ensure all ingredients have been grown in ways that support biodiversity and keep our air and waterways clean.

This kind of positive action will mean farmers can better manage natural systems to keep the aims of food production and the protection of nature in harmony.

Incentivised waste segregation will soon cut costs for Irish businesses

From July 2023, big changes are on the way for Irish businesses, as incentivised waste segregation will come into effect for commercial waste.

Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan, has signed new legislation green-lighting the move, which will soon see businesses operating similarly to residential properties when it comes to waste segregation. A staggering 70% of disposed commercial waste is missing out on being recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2018 study.

The knock-on effect means that businesses are paying more for waste disposal than they should be, failing to avail of the lowered costs associated with segregation. In a bid to tackle this, businesses will have an incentivised way to get rid of their packaging in a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective way.

Reaching targets with incentivised waste segregation

Similar to all homes across Ireland since 2017, businesses will be provided with three designated bins to separate waste into. These will cover food waste, recycling and general waste. It’s a welcome incentive, as the move will also increase Ireland’s chance of reaching its EU recycling targets for 2025 and 2030.

In 2020, Ireland recycled 41% of its municipal solid waste, but the EU Waste Framework Directive wants that

figure to increase to 55% by 2025 and 60% by 2030. Under the Government’s plans to achieve this target, businesses will play a key role as new regulations are being brought in for commercial waste collection.

Particularly in the area of plastic recycling, Ireland is currently facing its greatest challenge. Repak estimates that our current recycling rate is 33% for 2022, meaning there’s a projected shortfall of 17% ahead of 2025’s target and a worrying 22% gap from the 2030 aim.

Advantages of recycling for Irish businesses

Waste collection companies will have to provide businesses with general waste, mixed dry recyclables and biowaste bins. Collectors must also give detailed breakdowns of what they are doing with the waste, including what’s being recycled and disposed of and the associated costs for each method. This information can help businesses track their individual performance and assess areas for improvement. Businesses will be put on a price plan to ensure that general waste will always be the more expensive option, incentivising a commitment to mixed dry recycling and biowaste recycling. While recycling may be a more time-consuming method, the motivation lies in reduced waste disposal costs for businesses and a rewarding contribution to lowering Ireland’s harmful emissions.

Claire Murphy Editor, Ellen McArthur Foundation

Waste collection companies will have to provide businesses with general waste, mixed dry recyclables and biowaste bins.

Laura Sherry Head of Marketing and Communications, Repak

Waste-to-energy: powering the circular economy by taking us closer to zero waste

The traditional approach of landfilling waste is no longer sustainable. Waste-to-energy technologies offer a better way of turning waste into a valuable energy resource.

Ireland faces waste management challenges due to its growing population, limited landfill space and EU waste management targets. Our goal is to achieve a zero-waste and circular economy. However, we must acknowledge that certain types of waste cannot be recycled, such as materials that reach the end of their usable life cycles or contaminated waste.

Transforming non-recyclable waste into valuable resources

Waste-to-energy is a process that converts non-recyclable waste into usable energy forms, such as renewable electricity, heat or fuel. This process harnesses the energy content within the waste, transforming it into a valuable resource, producing a continuous supply of renewable energy when wind and solar power are not available. It can reduce the need for traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources and provide a sustainable alternative for energy supply and waste management.

Ireland currently has two waste-to-energy plants: Dublin Waste-to-Energy operated by Encyclis and Meath Waste-to-Energy operated by Indaver. They reliably and sustainably generate 90MW of electricity and deliver power to over 140,000 homes and businesses around the country.

Circular economy connection: less waste in landfills

By converting non-recyclable waste into energy, these plants help close the loop and prevent waste from ending up in landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing soil and water contamination.

Additionally, they promote resource conservation and recycling through the recovery of valuable materials for reuse in the metal and construction industries. This benefits the environment, contributes to the circular economy and helps Ireland meet its waste policy target of no more than 10% of waste being sent to landfill. For these reasons, waste-to-energy is designated as critical infrastructure.

Jackie Keaney, President of CEWEP Ireland, underscores the significance of waste-to-energy in achieving circularity: “At CEWEP Ireland, we are committed to supporting a circular economy and climate mitigation efforts to safeguard our planet … By converting nonrecyclable waste into valuable material and energy resources, we not only reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but we also minimise the environmental impact associated with landfilling. Waste-to-energy is a key component in creating a truly circular and sustainable society.”

A future with waste-to-energy plants

In the coming years, Dublin Waste-to-Energy in Poolbeg will act as the heat source for Dublin City Council’s planned district heating network, while Indaver’s facility in Meath is exploring how to produce hydrogen from the energy it generates.

Ireland’s waste-to-energy plants will play a greater role in the circular economy with both Dublin Waste-to-Energy and Indaver pursuing ambitious plans to ensure a better tomorrow.

Jackie Keaney President, CEWEP Ireland

Paid for by CEWEP Ireland

How to make packaging more sustainable with a paper-based option

Swapping plastic packaging for paper packaging should be on everyone’s agenda because it’s better for businesses, consumers — and the environment.

In 2015, at the Paris Climate Conference, then-US President Barack Obama reminded the audience: “We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change — and we are the last generation that can do something about it.” Those words were alarming — and rightly so, says Tony Carroll, Managing Director of packaging supplier, AP Controls.

Why paper packaging is better than plastic Carroll also remembers how David Attenborough’s 2018 Blue Planet II documentary made consumers and retailers more eco-aware by highlighting the catastrophic amount of single-use plastic clogging up our rivers and seas.

“Single-use plastic has to stop, or we will not be able to swim in the seas,” says Carroll. “And neither will the fish. The drive to get non-recyclable plastic out of the economy must speed up.”

AP Controls has been promoting eco-friendly, sustainable packaging since 2004 and advocates that retailers should swap non-recyclable plastic packaging for paper. This can take some persuasion, admits Carroll.

“For example, there’s a perception that paper wrap does not give products the same level of protection as plastic wrap,” he says. “In fact, we proved that products are better protected using Geami Paper.”

Better education needed about the benefits of paper

The company is launching another paper-based innovation: the Trident void-fill system. “Paper is one of the most important renewable sources we have on this planet, and it can be used for so many things,” says Kieran O’Reilly, Sales Manager at AP Controls.

“Our success rate for converting customers from plastic to paper is extremely high when they understand how it will benefit them in terms of feel, protection, price — because it’s cost-effective — and the environment. We need more education on this subject.”

Necessary lifestyle change with sustainable packaging

“For instance, when people complained on social media that a company’s coffee cups were being left by the road, it was forced to bring in biodegradable cups and lids. Change is happening. But it’s like pulling the band-aid off. We just have to do it,” notes O’Reilly. Carroll agrees that removing single-use plastic from our daily lives will require a massive lifestyle change. However, it must be done. “Can we substitute paper for every single item of single-use plastic?” he asks. “No. But can we substitute 50% of it — or higher — depending on the product and industry? Yes. The only way forward is for consumers to insist on that change.”

Kieran O’Reilly

Getting Ireland’s population and workforce up to scratch on sustainability practices and technology eases the transition into a bioeconomy and a carbon-neutral future.

Developing a robust bioeconomy that supports circularity requires preparing society and the workforce for sustainable changes.

“It’s a very broad, combination of actions,” says Professor Nick Holden. “It’s not only the technology but also the cultural and social issues that go around it.”

Growth potential of the bioeconomy in Ireland

The bioeconomy brings ‘exciting’ new employment opportunities to Ireland, says Dr Helena McMahon.

“The bioeconomy employs, on average, 8% of the workforce across Europe,” she adds.

“In Ireland, it’s much higher than that given that we have a

nature-based economy as well as strong agricultural, marine and forestry sectors. There should be more than 1 million green jobs in Europe by 2030, and we have huge potential to capitalise on that kind of growth.”

There is an extensive amount happening to develop the bioeconomy in Ireland already. BiOrbic, Ireland’s national bioeconomy research centre funded by Science Foundation Ireland is leading the way in this regard. Their mission is to enable a vibrant, sustainable, circular bioeconomy in Ireland through research excellence, innovation and the development of future bioeconomy leaders. The Centre unites leading bioeconomy researchers and innovators from

across Ireland’s universities, with experts from industry and wider society in order to work together, to address key sustainability challenges.

A core priority of the Centre is to engage, involve and empower the public and societal actors as part of a co-creation process. Embracing the bioeconomy requires a widespread understanding of its concepts and a willingness to integrate them into daily life. “Transitioning isn’t something you impose on people, it’s something you do with them,” insists Professor Holden.

Skills to keep up with innovation

Preparing the workforce is also an important step for widespread bioeconomy development. BiOrbic is working in partnership with mostly indigenous companies to develop new cutting-edge technologies and processes, and make sure they have the skills, talent and knowledge to implement these innovations.

“That talent pool that we’re creating is an important part of what we’re doing for the transition,” says McMahon. “What’s happening is innovation is moving quickly, and some companies don’t have the teams that can deliver on these innovations and new ways of working. We’re working to upskill and create new sustainability professionals that can help them transition to more sustainable ways of working.”

Tony Carroll Managing Director, AP Controls

We are the last generation that can do something about it.

Sales Manager, AP Controls

WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

Ireland needs to be prepared for a bioeconomy if people want low carbon future

Dr Helena McMahon Academic Collaborator, BiOrbic, Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, CIRCBIO Research Group, Munster Technological University

Paid for by BiOrbic

WRITTEN BY Sarah Brown

Prof Nick Holden Deputy Director of BiOrbic, Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin