Scaling Circular Innovation in RoI and NI – a strategic, long-term approach

Join us on Tuesday 25th of April in Belfast where we will host the first in a series of day-long workshops in different regional locations across the island to explore how a future Centre of Excellence for Circular Innovation can best support industry’s goals and needs.

With support from the Irish Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC), Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and CIRCULÉIRE – a public-private circular innovation network – are running a series of day-long workshops to understand what industry players in two high-impact sectors – 1) Textiles and Fashion and 2) EEE and ICT – need in order scale circular innovation in Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI).

During this interactive session, business and policy representatives from the NI and RoI will be invited to share their perspectives on what’s needed to accelerate their wider sectors’ circular transition between now and 2030.

Leading this workshop will be Sophie Reynolds and Dr Geraldine Brennan (IMR/ CIRCULÉIRE), with insight from key industry representatives and thought leaders, including:

• Circular Textiles expert: Gwen Cunningham (Sustainability and Circular Economy Lead, NCAD (IE)/Circle Economy (NL)
• Circular ICT and EEE industry representative: Elizabeth O’Reilly (Head of Environmental Compliance & Membership, WEEE Ireland)

Workshop Objectives:

• Highlighting the current state of the Textiles and Fashion and EEE and ICT sectors in RoI and NI, and join other industry and multi-sectoral stakeholders as they reflect on the key needs, challenges, opportunities and priority actions needed for their sector to transition to a net-zero carbon economy by 2030.
• Identify opportunities for strategic cross-border collaboration for industry around circular economy priority actions and explore future areas for government-industry partnerships and supports around shared circularity goals in both NI and RoI.
• Networking and exchange with commercial and value-chain partners in the Textiles and Fashion and EEE and ICT sectors in RoI and NI who are embarking on circularising their businesses and entire value chain.

Join us and have your say in shaping future circular economy business supports for businesses and their supply-chain partners in the Textiles and Fashion and EEE and ICT sectors.