Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a €600,000 funding programme to support innovators.
The Innovation for a Circular Economy Programme will support companies and organisations in Ireland to develop – and demonstrate – consumer and business solutions that will stimulate resource efficiency and the circular economy.
Dr Shane Colgan, EPA Senior Manager, said: “There are enormous opportunities for Ireland in moving to a circular economy, where materials are conserved and kept in use for as long as possible. This new funding programme will support innovative ways to keep the added value in products, eliminate waste and create business models.
“We expect proposals to include the eco-design of products, novel approaches for waste prevention or recycling materials and new business models for sharing products or services.”
The EPA is inviting applications from the following areas:
- Food Waste Prevention
- Construction & Demolition
- Plastics
- Eco-design.
Dr Eimear Cotter, EPA Director said: “Moving Ireland to a circular economy will require changes in how we make products and how we deliver services. By being clever about what we make, and being careful about how we use the goods and services in our lives, we can save raw materials and reduce waste while maintaining a good lifestyle.
“The new EPA programme aligns with the ambitions of the European Commission Circular Economy Package and Ireland’s research and development, science and technology strategy, Innovation 2020.”
Following the call for proposals, projects approved for funding will be underway before the end of 2018.
Dr Eimear Cotter, EPA Director – “Moving Ireland to a circular economy will require changes in how we make products and how we deliver services. By being clever about what we make, and being careful about how we use the goods and services in our lives, we can save raw materials and reduce waste while maintaining a good lifestyle.”
Funding for the Innovation for a Circular Economy Programme is provided by the Irish Government through the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment. It is implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of Ireland’s National Waste Prevention Programme.
Further information on the Green Enterprise Call 2018 is available on the EPA Website, along with the call documents (Technical Description and Terms and Conditions).
National Waste Prevention Programme: Ireland’s National Waste Prevention Programme, led by the Environmental Protection Agency, works to reduce wasteful consumption of material, water and energy resources by changing behaviours in businesses, households and the public sector. For businesses, it seeks to enhance competitiveness and reduce business costs by delivering programmes that stimulate resource efficiency and the circular economy.
Innovation for a Circular Economy: The Innovation for a Circular Economy initiative builds on the EPA’s successful Green Enterprise programme which, since 2001, has supported a wide range of organisations to complete environmental projects. Financial support will be provided on a co-funding basis. More information is available on the EPA website including further detail on the four thematic areas.