The Joint Committee

The Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action meet in mid June 2024, to discuss the Circular Economy as it relates to Consumer Durables. Examples of consumer durable goods include vehicles, books, household goods (home electrical appliances, consumer electronics, furniture, musical instruments, tools, gardening tools, furniture, bicycles etc.), sports equipment, jewelry, medical equipment, toys and more.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Leddin (TD for Limerick City and the Green Party Spokesperson for Transport, Climate Action and Environment) said: “Consumer durables are goods designed to last a long time and are not intended to be bought very often. Development of a circular economy requires shifting Ireland towards a more sustainable pattern of production and consumption, particularly when it comes to consumer durables”.

Circular Economy

“The development of reuse, repair, recycling and sharing schemes, as well as circular design and business models, all have roles to play in reducing waste generated by consumer durables. As part of our examination of how the Circular Economy Act is working since it became law two years ago”, The Committee as part of it work will discuss these issues and related matters with stakeholder groups including social enterprises and organisation representing the community reuse and recycling.

The Community Resources Network (CRNI) saw this as great opportunity to present to this Oireachtas Joint Committee on the vital role social enterprises play in promoting the circular economy, especially in relation to consumer durables.

CRNI were joined on the day by two board members, Bernie Connolly (Cork Environmental Forum) and Una Lavelle (Recycle IT, Dublin). The Rediscovery Centre, the National Centre for the Circular Economy in Ireland and CRNI member were also invited to the committee session to present their findings.

To learn more about the main points covered please click here or to view the The Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action session on Oireachtas TV please click here.

About Parliamentary Committees

Parliamentary committees play an important role in the business of the Oireachtas. They can receive submissions and hear evidence from interested parties or groups; discuss and draft proposals for legislative change; print and publish minutes of evidence and related documents; and require attendance of Ministers to discuss current policies and proposals for legislation.

There are four types of committees:

• Standing committee
• Joint committee
• Select committee
• Special committee (rare) 

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning, not-for-profit social enterprise established to create employment and promote environmental awareness through recycling and reuse. We work in partnership with WEEE Ireland and are authorized by your local authority to provide electrical, electronic and pure metal recycling collections across Dublin since 2007. Recycle IT are fully compliant for WEEE Recycling with permit details available here.