Blog
Are Our Hedgerows Being Misused and Wasted? A Missed Opportunity for Wildlife and the Environment
By ZWAI member Mary Rafferty Hedgerows are one of Ireland’s most important natural assets — but they are being mismanaged and underutilised. Poor cutting practices, declining traditional skills, and growing pressure to treat deadwood as fuel are combining to strip hedgerows of their true ecological value. This is not just a missed opportunity for wildlife…
WMO State of Global Climate Report
Article by ZWAI member Patrick Meighan Background The World Meteorological Organisation has released its annual State of Global Climate report for 2024. According to the WMO, “clear signs of human-induced climate change have reached new heights in 2024.” The report examined several key climate indicators, many of which reached record levels. It also highlights the…
Radio Interview: The Importance of Recycling Nitrates and Phosphorus
ZWAI’s Ollan Herr was featured on LMFM’s Late Lunch Monday show! A big thank you to Gerry Kelly for the fantastic interview and for providing a great platform to discuss one of ZWAI’s key issues—recycling nitrates and phosphorus to prevent algal blooms in lakes and rivers and reduce water pollution. At ZWAI, we are committed…
Toxic Threads: How Shein and Temu’s Cheap Fashion Is Poisoning You and Our Planet
As we all know, the appeal of ultra-fast fashion has taken the world by storm, with brands like Shein and Temu offering trendy clothing at incredibly low prices. We’ve previously discussed the environmental impact of these companies, but there’s more to the story. Beneath the surface of these fashionable bargains lies a concerning reality: Hazardous…
Wasted Opportunity: Gaps in Ireland’s New Programme for Government
Ireland’s latest Programme for Government, which has just been ratified, presents a roadmap for tackling pressing issues like waste management and promoting a circular economy. However, upon further inspection we noticed one striking omission from the document: The complete absence of figures or quantifiable targets. The commitments largely focus on maintaining existing goals, with very…
Advancing a Just Transition for All: Less Talk, More Action
The high-level ministerial roundtable on the UAE Just Transition Work Program (JTWP) which took place recently at COP29, brought together leaders and experts to address the transformative challenge of achieving a just transition to a sustainable and equitable future. The discussions underscored the profound need to leave no one behind in this global shift, emphasising…
Kerry’s Wise Wool Project Tackles Ireland’s Wool Waste with Community Workshops
Blog by ZWAI member Zihan Zheng Ireland produces nearly 7,000 tonnes of wool annually, most of which goes unused and is classified as a “Category 3 waste product.” For decades, Irish sheep farmers have been told their wool is worthless—it costs more to shear a sheep than to sell its fleece. Synthetic fibers, often cheaper…
Reducing Food Waste: A Key to a Sustainable Future
Food waste is not just an environmental issue; it’s an ethical, economic, and societal challenge that demands immediate attention. At the Green Gather Food Event in Westmeath, ZWAI highlighted the staggering statistics and practical solutions to tackle this crisis during a talk by one our Vice Chairperson, Jack O’Sullivan. The Problem ZWAI’s Call to Action…
ZWAI at COP29: Civil Society Equity Review
As two of our representatives attend COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, we are proud to stand alongside ngos, climate advocates, and civil society organisations in the fight for climate justice. We are happy to announce our participation in the launch of the 2024 Civil Society Equity Review. This landmark report highlights the urgent need for developed…
A Continent of Waste: Reflections
In reflecting on this insightful article by @Jack O’Sullivan, titled “A Continent of Waste,” we are reminded of his long-standing commitment to the principles of zero waste and circular design – a vision he has championed since the inception of the Zero Waste Alliance Ireland, alongside fellow founders who shared this pioneering spirit. Written in…
Zero Waste Halloween: Tips and Tricks for a Spooky Good Time
Halloween is all about fun costumes, sweet treats and festive decorations, but unfortunately, it’s also a holiday that generates a lot of waste. From single-use sweet wrappers to disposable decorations, Halloween can have a spooky impact on the environment. But fear not! With a few conscious choices, you can enjoy an eco-friendly, zero-waste Halloween that’s…
How Shein Quickly Became Fast Fashion’s Biggest Polluter
With Halloween around the corner, we have a frightening topic to bring to our readers. That is, the scary truth about every everyone’s favourite “fashion” brand: Shein. A recent article from Grist has highlighted Shein’s troubling rise as the world’s biggest fast-fashion polluter, a distinction it has earned through relentless production practices that push waste…
