Minister Dillon launches new national policy statement

Minister of State Alan Dillon has launched Ireland’s first National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles. 

The launch aims to reduce textile waste. Minister Dillion also launched a public awareness campaign on how to donate clothes so they have the best chance of being used again. 

Minister Dillon said he believes far too many textiles today end up as waste in bins.

“Today I am launching policy and practical measures to change this, to move us closer to a circular economy for textiles. The Policy Statement has a range of measures that will promote circular design, so that textiles last longer and are easier to reuse and repair. The actions in the Policy Statement make the fashion and textile industry responsible for its textile waste”.

The policy statement also describes for the first time the environmental and social issues created by high rates of textile consumption in Ireland. The policy statement will introduce national and EU-inspired measures to fund the management of used textiles, as well as create new opportunities for reuse.

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Minister Dillion expressed his delight at the launch of the first nationwide public awareness campaign on donating used textiles. 

“ It will show where and how people can discard or donate their used textiles in a responsible way. 

“This includes charity shops and textile banks all around the country. Citizens will be able to go to Mywaste.i.e., and find their nearest donation point with advice on how to prepare their clothing, footwear, and household textiles.” 

Pauline McDonogh, Circular Economy Co-Ordinator with the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, expressed the importance of maximising the amounts that can be reused or recycled. 

“In this campaign, we are asking citizens to have items such as clothing, paired footwear, and household textiles clean, dry, folded, and neatly bagged before placing them in clothing banks, bringing them to your local civic amenity site, or donating to charity shops.

“These few simple but important steps can give these items a second life and help support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy,” she said.

“There are over 1,500 Local Authority and charity donation points on our new Textiles Reuse and Recycling Map, which can be accessed on Mywaste.ie. 

“It is important that we continue our efforts to preserve our local environment by keeping the areas around the clothing banks clean and not leaving items outside the banks,” she added.