Circular Economy
What is the Circular Economy
A circular economy offers a practical alternative to the traditional linear model where products are made, used, and discarded. Instead of a take-make-waste system, a circular economy keeps resources in use for as long as possible by prioritising reuse, repair, sharing and remanufacture.
In a circular economy, materials are valued at every stage of their life. Waste is designed out, products are used more efficiently, and when items reach the end of their usable life, materials are recovered and regenerated. This approach reduces environmental impact, supports local communities, and creates a more resilient, fairer economy for everyone.
Circularity Gap Report
The Circularity Gap Report
The Circularity Gap Report 2025 shows that the world is currently 6.9% circular, highlighting the significant opportunity to increase how we value and keep materials in use. While material use continues to grow, there are encouraging signs of progress towards decarbonisation, including rising electrification and greater uptake of renewable energy.
These trends show that change is possible, but we need to accelerate action. By rethinking how we produce, use, and recover resources, we can put the world on track to meet climate, biodiversity, and pollution targets, while protecting and regenerating the Earth’s life-support systems. Business as usual is no longer an option, but with innovation, collaboration, and circular solutions, a sustainable and thriving future is within reach.
Transition to a Circular Economy
To successfully move towards a circular economy, we need to rethink the rules that shape how we live, work, and consume. This requires a deep shift in behaviours, cultural norms, and the way we value resources.
Currently, only 7.9 % of the resources used in Northern Ireland are returned to the economy after use. In other words, more than 92 % of the materials we rely on come from new, virgin sources. With a per-person material footprint of 16.6 tonnes, Northern Ireland far exceeds the global average of 11.9 tonnes. This level of consumption puts enormous pressure on the planet’s vital ecosystems and threatens the quality of life for current and future generations.
Transitioning to a more circular economy offers Northern Ireland a real opportunity to reduce its material footprint by nearly half, while maintaining strong social standards. The move towards circular practices could unlock economic value and create new jobs, and build a more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous future for communities across the region.
Job Creation in the Circular Economy
Climate Change and the Circular Economy
Learn more about NIRNs role in the Circular Economy
Adopting a circular economy is not only an environmental necessity but also a significant economic opportunity. By rethinking how resources are used and embedding repair, reuse, and recovery into everyday life, Northern Ireland can lead the way in creating resilient and sustainable economies that benefit both people and the planet.
Practical circular economy approaches focus on extending the life of products, reducing waste, improving resource efficiency, and designing systems where materials are continuously cycled back into use. These approaches touch every part of society, from local communities and businesses to public services and policy frameworks.
By developing a circular economy, Northern Ireland can take meaningful action to reduce emissions, minimise waste, support economic growth, create new jobs, and deliver wider social benefits. In response to these challenges, NIRN and its members have published a position paper that highlights the connections between climate change and circular economy practices, offering guidance and recommendations to help Northern Ireland transition towards a more sustainable, fair, and circular future.