Sustainability is an attitude first

Minister of State with special responsibility for the Circular Economy and Communications, Ossian Smyth TD, has announced funding of €490,000 for 10 projects across Ireland under the first Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS). Creating a ‘circular economy’ is part of the move towards a more sustainable future, with a focus on reducing and eliminating waste and keeping resources in use for as long as possible. The CEIGS will help communities to make this transition across Ireland and allow the country to move towards a more sustainable future. Funding under this round of the CEIGS was initially set at €250,000. However, due to the overall quality of the successful applicants, and in line with the Department’s commitment to supporting the circular economy, Minster of State Smyth secured an additional €240,000 in funding. This has resulted in the CEIGS being able to support projects across the whole spectrum of the circular economy, from green construction to digital platforms for re-use.

Zero-packaging stores – where rows of jars and refill stations sit full of food that is ready for consumers to fill up containers brought from home – have proliferated in recent years. Yet they tend to be more expensive than their supermarket equivalents and therefore a more aspirational offering – and they may not be as beneficial to the environment as they first seem. Damage to products is the prime concern – packaging protects goods on a journey, saving shoppers valuable pennies and keeps items fresher for longer, too.