Kildare communities urged to embrace circular economy 

YOU probably remember a time when someone in your family would stitch close the hole in your jumper, ready to be used for another winter. When hand-me-down clothes were second nature.

With the rise of fast fashion and inflatable furniture, the simplicity of reusing, sharing and repairing has been lost. That’s why Circular.ie, the digital platform and resource hub committed to making something new of the old ways, is here to champion the communities that do it best.

This year, communities across Kildare are being encouraged to showcase their sustainability efforts by nominating local projects for this year's Full Circle Awards.

Eibhlin Fitzpatrick, community manager of Circular.ie, said the awards aim to celebrate the individuals, businesses and community groups leading the way in reuse, repair and waste reduction while inspiring more people to adopt circular practices in their everyday lives.

Circular.ie is a national platform for circularity, working to make the concept more accessible by encouraging practical actions such as repairing, reusing, sharing and upcycling rather than relying on a throwaway culture.

"We're focusing on making circularity more accessible for people to understand on a practical level," Eibhlin explained.

"A lot of people are already embracing circular practices without even realising it. We want to help them recognise what they're already doing and encourage them to do even more."

Rather than a lack of public interest, Eibhlin believes one of the biggest barriers is access to information and local resources.

"People respond well to circularity, but they need to know what options exist in their area. It has to fit into their lifestyle, and having local infrastructure makes a massive difference."

More than 40 nominations were submitted during last year's awards cycle, with many community groups and small businesses recognised for their work.

Among the organisations highlighted were Refills, a zero-waste refill shop in Naas helping residents reduce plastic waste, Maynooth Zero Waste, a volunteer-run initiative organising clothes swaps, toy libraries and repair events, and the Our Earthy Collective in Kill, which brings together people interested in sustainable living.

She also praised projects such as the Green Roots Project in Sallins, which works with schools and local communities to encourage environmentally friendly habits through initiatives including cycling campaigns, tree planting and creative upcycling activities Eibhlin said many of these initiatives succeed because they strengthen community connections while reducing waste.

The economic benefits are also significant, she added. Repairing clothing and furniture, attending swap shops and participating in community sharing groups can all help households reduce spending while cutting waste.

"What I love about swap shops is that you still get the excitement of finding something new, but it's new to you rather than newly manufactured."

She pointed to baby clothing exchanges as one example where circular practices can make a real difference, allowing families to pass on items that are often only used for a few months, before being thrown out.

For those looking to become involved, Circular.ie provides online resources, information about local events and guidance for anyone beginning their circular journey. Those hoping to establish new initiatives such as repair cafés or swap shops are encouraged to connect with existing groups, local authorities and enterprise offices to access advice and support.

Eibhlinn believes that there is great opportunity to introduce more circularity into Kildare, by way of repair cafés, swap shops and more.

Repair cafés, she explained, are about much more than fixing broken items.

"The idea is that people learn the skills themselves. Whether it's sewing on a button, repairing clothing or maintaining a bike, you're building confidence so next time you can have a go yourself."

While Kildare does not currently have a permanent repair café, Eibhlin believes the concept has enormous potential within the county.

But why should we care? It’s easy to feel like our individual habits won’t make a difference in the grand scheme of things.

Addressing concerns that individual efforts cannot make a meaningful environmental impact, Eibhlin encouraged people to "think globally and act locally."

She said: "Supporting projects in your own community shows there's demand for more sustainable alternatives. That encourages those initiatives to grow and also sends a message to larger businesses that consumer habits are changing."

The Full Circle Awards offer winners a €2,000 prize along with a trophy and national media exposure. Organisers hope this year's awards will shine a spotlight on the many volunteers, businesses and community organisations already making a difference across Kildare, with a view to spread awareness on how you can get involved in your community. So, if you’re thinking of a business or community group that you have really seen shine this year, don’t forget to nominate them.