National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles

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 as outlined in the National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles.

The purpose of this National Policy Statement & Roadmap is to set a clear policy direction for how Ireland can realise its potential for a more circular and sustainable economy in textiles.

This Policy Statement recognises that textiles are a valuable resource in our society. Therefore, it is important to focus on reducing excessive production and consumption, promoting efficient and effective management of new and used materials, and prioritising reuse and repair.

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) has consulted widely with relevant stakeholders across the textile value chain through the National Textile Advisory Group and its subgroups and has been actively engaged with policy and legislative developments at EU level. This Policy Statement has been informed by insights and recommendations from this Group, the work of the EPA and Local Government partners. It is also informed by a public consultation conducted in 2025, as well as research commissioned in 2024 by DCEE into post-consumer textiles, and negotiations at EU level concerning the targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive that relate to textiles.

The Policy Statement sets out a vision, common principles, strategic objectives and a roadmap for the future development of the circular textiles economy.