Consumers with broken electronic goods and other malfunctioning items are to get vouchers as encouragement to opt for repair instead of replacement under a pilot scheme next year. <\/p>\n
The vouchers are intended to cut the costs of repairs, which are often too close to replacement price for shoppers to bother going to the trouble. <\/p>\n
Details of voucher eligibility and value are still being worked out, but officials are drawing on the experience of countries such as Austria and the Netherlands which have similar schemes. <\/p>\n
The pilot is part of the Government\u2019s revised Circular Economy Strategy which aims to keep goods in use longer and reduce the mountains of waste the country\u2019s increasing consumption creates. <\/p>\n
It is to be accompanied by support for the establishment of repair workshops at civic amenity sites (CAS), also known as recycling centres. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the objectives is to transform CAS into circular economy hubs that encourage and facilitate the donation, repair and reuse of items such as furniture, textiles, EEE (electrical and electronic equipment) and bicycles,\u201d the strategy states. <\/p>\n
Charities, businesses and social enterprises are to be encouraged to partner with CAS to make use of the donated goods. <\/p>\n
The move comes in advance of EU regulations that will introduce \u201cdigital product passports\u201d \u2013 codes or chips embedded in goods to provide details of their material composition, recyclability and repairability. <\/p>\n
The strategy also aims to increase recycling rates and require more goods to be made with, and packaged in, recycled and recyclable materials. <\/p>\n
[\u00a0When it comes to discarding used batteries, there\u2019s a right way and a dangerous wayOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n A 2024 report commissioned by the Department of the Environment<\/a> found more than 97 per cent of the materials bought, sold and used for manufacture in Ireland came from virgin sources. <\/p>\n Minister for the Environment Darragh O\u2019Brien<\/a> said a new approach was needed. <\/p>\n \u201cNearly half of global greenhouse gas emissions come from how we make and use goods, food and materials,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cBy embedding circularity across our economy, we can cut those emissions at the source \u2013 long before they reach our atmosphere. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is not simply an environmental project; it is a cornerstone of our climate action agenda.\u201d <\/p>\n The strategy has a three-year time frame, during which it is intended to expand the network of CAS and introduce \u201creuse and refill\u201d in shops and catering outlets, where it will be obligatory to offer options for customers to bring their own containers. <\/p>\n [\u00a0Government failing to consider how key policies are damaging climate, says UN expertOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n The long-promised levy on single-use beverage cups \u2013 the so-called latte levy \u2013 remains on the long finger, however. <\/p>\n Minister of State with responsibility for the circular economy, Alan Dillon<\/a>, said the original idea of charging a levy at the till was being reviewed. <\/p>\n \u201cWe do want to see a significant reduction in single-use cups,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have commissioned updated analysis and in tandem we are looking at alternative reusable cup systems.\u201d <\/p>\n