Minister Dillon publishes first National Policy Statement on Textiles and launches a nationwide information campaign on used textiles
- Published on: 2 April 2026
- Last updated on: 2 April 2026
By April 2028, producers or retailers will have to fund the cost of collecting and managing used clothing and other textiles
By 2030, people will have many more options for discarding and donating used textiles responsibly – more dedicated disposal points and more certainty around where these textiles end up
New public awareness campaign will show people how to make sure their old clothes have the best chance to be reused
Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, has launched Ireland's first National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles (2026-2028). This aims to reduce textile waste. Minister Dillon has also launched a public awareness campaign – showing how to donate clothes so they have the best chance of being used again.
Minister Dillon said:
"Far too much of our used textiles currently end up being disposed of as waste in our 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."
Textiles are produced with significant inputs of fossil fuels, water and human labour. The industry is global, so system-level change is needed to reduce environmental and climate impacts. This Policy Statement describes for the first time the environmental and social issues created by our high rates of textile consumption in Ireland. It introduces ambitious nationally and EU-inspired measures to fund the correct management of used textiles, as well as creating new opportunities for reuse.
Minister Dillon continued:
"I am also delighted to launch the first nationwide public awareness campaign on donating used textiles, created by the local government sector and funded by my department. 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.ie 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, said:
"Ireland generates over 110,000 tonnes of post-consumer textiles every year, so it is important that we maximise 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 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.
"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 to leave items outside the banks."
The National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles 2026-2028 is available on the department's website.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
Background
Current trends in textile production, consumption, and post-consumption present major environmental challenges, in Ireland and globally. The textiles industry operates in a linear 'take-make-waste' model, but there is great potential for a textiles circular economy. Textiles, including clothing, have the fourth highest impact on the environment and climate change, after food, housing, and transport, so it is a priority area for action to realise Ireland’s circular economy ambitions.
Circular Economy
The Circular Economy is a means of preventing waste through keeping resources in use for as long as possible – repairing, sharing and recycling more.
It recognises the need to shift from the current linear (take-make-waste) model of production and consumption to one in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of life.
Government policy supports a transition to a circular economy. In February 2026 the Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028 was published which has a dedicated chapter on textiles with actions and targets. One of the targets is the publication of this Statement and Roadmap and one of the actions is to deliver public awareness campaigns to educate on responsible post consumption.
Government policy on textiles
Textiles is a priority material stream to realise the government's circular economy ambitions. Our current policy includes a Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020-2025 which establishes our commitment to tackle the environmental degradation caused by textiles in Ireland, in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders. It sets out measures to tackle the textile challenge including to develop a separate collection of textiles waste generated by households by 1 January 2025 in line with EU requirements; support improved data on the nature and extent of the used textile stream; promote eco-design for clothing and textiles in collaboration with Irish fashion designers and retailers and support an education and awareness campaign around textiles.
In 2022, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment established a Textiles Advisory Group, bringing together relevant expertise from industry, community and regulatory bodies. For further information see the department's website.
This Policy Statement and Roadmap has been informed by insights and recommendations from the Textile Advisory Group and extensive stakeholder input including from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local government sector.
A public consultation on the draft National Policy Statement and Roadmap took place from 21 May to 7 July 2025. Details on the public consultation have been published online. 50 submissions were received and reviewed by the department. The feedback received has informed the final text of the Policy Statement and Roadmap. Bilateral meetings took place with relevant departments and agencies for specific input on roadmap actions.
The Policy Statement sets out the current challenges and opportunities in creating a textiles circular economy. It outlines the current situation with regard to textile design and production, consumption and use and the current state of used textiles. It sets out a vision, common principles, strategic objectives and actions for the future development of the textile circular economy.
Post-consumer textile campaign
The campaign is encouraging citizens to give their clothing, paired footwear and household textiles a 'second life' by using the network of clothing banks and charity shops across the country and helping Ireland’s transition to a more circular economy.
Clothing, paired footwear and household textiles need to be clean, dry, folded and neatly bagged before being placed in the clothing bank or brought to charity shop.
What items are accepted
Clothing
- Outerwear – coats and jackets
- Sweaters, sweatshirts and cardigans
- Trousers, jeans, sweatpants
- Tops and shirts
- Dresses and skirts
- Hats and scarves
- Gloves, bags and belts
- Baby and toddler clothes
- Uniforms
- Sports and gym wear
- Bras
- Shoes, boots and trainers
Household Textiles
- Bedlinen – duvet covers and sheets
- Throws and blankets
- Towels
- Table linen
- Curtains
Where to find a clothing bank or charity shop
You can find details on new textile reuse and recycling map on MyWaste.ie. Over 1,500 locations are available, with further locations such as retail return to be added in coming weeks.
About MyWaste.ie
MyWaste.ie is an information portal and Ireland’s official guide to managing your waste. On this website, you will find everything you need about managing your waste responsibly, efficiently and in a way that suits you.
MyWaste.ie an initiative brought to you by the Regional Waste Management Offices (RWMPO) on behalf of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. There are three RWMPO in Ireland – Connacht-Ulster, Eastern Midlands and Southern. They are a Local Government shared service and have responsibility for co-ordinating the National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy 2024-2030.
Browse MyWaste.ie for information on your local waste services such as bring banks and recycling facilities, as well as tips on how to prevent waste, reuse and upcycle.