The ZeroNet secures support to continue building a Circular Economy in Ireland!

Minister Smyth announces Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme recipients – including the ZeroNet!

Funding announced for 13 projects across Ireland under the third Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS)

The ZeroNet is increasing its local efforts to promote the Circular Economy after securing grant support from the Irish Government.

 

The funding has been secured under a grant scheme which aims to cut down waste by focusing on repair, repurposing and reuse.

 

The extra support, which is one of 13 grants awarded across the country, will be used by the ZeroNet to extend and pilot its award-winning technology platform that can transform workplace takeback programs.

Specifically, the ZeroNet CircHub project aims to revolutionize workplace takeback programs for electronic devices and textiles by providing an efficient, user-friendly platform for collection and recovery. The ZeroNet system – an adaptation of the company’s award-winning smart collection logistics platform, ZeroNet C2X - will enable seamless scheduling and pickup directly from workplaces (inc. campuses/clubs/corporates/schools) plus optimizing collection routes to reduce environmental impact. Collections will include both employee/member/student items as well as those owned by the organisation. By increasing recovery rates and supporting the circular economy, ZeroNet CircHub will ensure that materials are refurbished, reused, or recycled effectively. 

The project also aims to support the charity and reuse sectors by streamlining donation processes, preserving value through high-value recovery, reducing CO2e emissions, and providing data-driven insights on recovery rates and environmental savings. Ultimately, the ZeroNet CircHub project will facilitate bridging the digital divide by enabling the highly efficient recovery and redistribution of electronic devices and textiles to disadvantaged communities.

 

The grants have been announced by Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth under a scheme which was administered by Community Foundation Ireland.

 

Creating a ‘circular economy’ is part of the move towards a more sustainable future, with a focus on reducing and eliminating waste and keeping resources in use for as long as possible. The Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme helps communities to make this transition.

 

Congratulating the successful applicants, Minister Smyth said:

 

“Well done to all the worthy groups who have been successful under the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme this year. The scale of the challenge to become circular requires change at every level of our society. The quality of the applications we received shows that the circular economy is thriving and that pioneering businesses and community groups across the country will continue to innovate and grow.”

 

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland, added:

 

“Partnership is essential if we are to address the climate emergency. We are delighted to share our connectivity and partnership built up with organisations across Ireland over the past 25-years, for the delivery of such an important initiative by Government. Ending the throw-away society is how we set our communities, country and planet on a better course. With this latest round of funding we now take another step to achieving that goal.”

 

The selected projects will support the drive to develop the circular economy in areas such as: textiles; repair; repurposing and reuse; circular construction; packaging; food waste prevention; circular hubs; and e-waste.

 

The scheme has been administered this year in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland. Community Foundation Ireland is a philanthropic hub that brings together donors, grantees and communities who share a vision of positive social change. The organisation has demonstrated considerable success in disbursing grants to diverse groups and organisations under various thematic pillars.