What is the Circular Economy?
Our current linear disposal system sees large quantities of natural resources extracted with high energy use to produce single-use products or products that are thrown away at the end of their life.
In the Circular Economy, products and materials are designed to be kept in the economy for as long as possible and practices like reuse and repair aim to extend their use.
At the end of a product's life, it is transformed into another useful product through remanufacture and repurpose.
Much like in the natural world, waste has value and is a resource that can be utilised for another use.
WEEE Ireland Circular Economy Strategy 2025-2027
In 2025, WEEE Ireland launched its new Circular Economy Strategy, encompassing the current core values of the Scheme and expanding our vision, mission and objectives to transform our successful WEEE and Waste Battery system into a more sustainable and circular one.
The Strategy aims to lead the electrical and battery industry in Ireland towards a more circular economic model for their extended producer responsibilities as required under the national Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, the Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy and our 2024-2027 Scheme Approval.
This new 3-year strategy recognises the transition to be undertaken by the Scheme, its Directors, Management and Executive team supporting our Members. Our 3-year strategic themes will be developed across six pillars of WEEE Ireland activity, including:
- Circular Economy
- Organisational Transformation
- Financing the Circular Strategy
- Membership Strategy & Engagement
- Communications
- WEEE & Battery Operations
These themes will be supported by 200+ actionable programmes and projects. Examples of actions already underway include:
REWEEE
WEEE Ireland has been working with KMK Metals Recycling to develop a system for the appropriate separation of suitable for preparation for reuse at their Kilbeggan facility. The aim is to achieve EN 50614 certification for prep for reuse operators, as there is currently no fully certified operator in Ireland to this standard.
CIRCULÉIRE Partnership
Under the new Circular Economy Strategy, WEEE Ireland is driving forward its partnership with both CIRCULÉIRE and Irish Manufacturing Research, through discussions for a 3+ year programme supporting Producer Members and Retailers in training, guidance, and innovation project funding to accelerate the EEE and Battery sector circular transition.
WEEE Flows
WEEE Forum and Deloitte have been working to publish a paper on the potential for an available for collection WEEE target which incorporates lifecycle data of products and circular waste reduction strategies, including repair and reuse of EEE. This is building on the work by the Schemes of the WEEE Forum, including WEEE Ireland, on addressing the limitations and challenges of the existing 65% linear takeback target.
You can read more about our Circular Economy Strategy here »
