Blog
A Word in Solidarity With Ukraine
ZWAI would like to express our solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We advocate for peace and prosperity, and our hearts are with the Ukrainian people during this difficult and traumatic time. We strongly condemn the Russian military aggression of Ukraine and express our unwavering support for Ukrainians, their sovereignty and their freedom. We would…
World Water Day 2022: “Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible” & the Problem of Septic Tanks
The United Nations is making “Groundwater” the primary theme of this year’s focus. Ground Water and Septic Tanks Ireland has almost 500,000 registered septic tanks and this accounts for about 30% of the national population. After the settlement of solids in septic tanks, the water which appears to be clear is then percolated into the…
Richard Auler – a sad loss
Richard Auler died on Sat last (13th Nov 2021) in an ICU ward at Szeged Hospital in Szeged, Hungary. He will be sadly missed. He had been on a visit with his partner Gyongi Karasz to her native city. Richard had undergone recent heart surgery in 2020 and was vulnerable to Covid19. After completing a…
“Greenwashing” and the Battle Against Fast Fashion
We are constantly saturated with buzzword terms such as ‘eco-friendly’, ‘sustainable’ and ‘green’. But what do these terms really mean? There is no legal significance to back these claims which is why so many brands can get away with using them and as consumers, it is our responsibility to question these marketing strategies to understand…
Could a Universal Charger in the EU Help Reduce Our Electronic Waste?
With ‘second-hand September’ having ended, it’s time to reflect on our consumption and how we can all reduce our waste to make the transition towards a more circular economy. Over-consumption exists everywhere and in all aspects of our lives; it is currently the way of the society we live in. Did you know that, according…
End Planned Obsolescence: Give Us The Right to Repair
Following our post yesterday, it’s important to remember that there is hope regarding the concerning issue of e-waste. Movements such as ‘Right to Repair’ advocate for consumers to push for progressive change around this topic. Founded in 2019, Right to Repair are affiliated with over 40 organisations such as ECOS and the EEB and have…
CEIGS Grants…. Worth the Effort?
CEIGS ANALYSIS and THOUGHTS. If you’re considering applying for funding from the Government’s newly minted CEIGS scheme then read on. If you’re wondering what it’s about, just read the first few paragraphs. Let’s start with an extract from the recent Government announcement: ‘ …… the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) will support projects and…
Material Revolution – Circular Style
Sometimes you don’t have to look too far to discover circular heroes. Such is the case with The ZeroWaster Design studio and its inspirational owner, Sarah O’Neill. She’s the Lead Designer at The Zero Waster circular fashion studio, located on Cork’s southern coast. Sarah is a very talented, creative and experienced Sustainable, Ethical Fashion designer.…
The Circular Economy
At Zero Waste Alliance Ireland, we have been advocating for a Circular Economy since we became established in 2004. The Irish government is finally taking action and preparing a whole-of-government Circular Economy Strategy. Last Friday the 11th of June 2021, we submitted a response to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications with our recommendations for the…
Recycling Phosphorus From Wastewater
An Fóram Uisce calls for a national policy of recycling phosphorus from wastewater to support the Agri Food Strategy over the coming decades. As a part of its recent “Submission To The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Relation to the Public Consultation Process on the Agri-Food Strategy 2030″, In their submission An…
Easter Eggstras Clean-Up
The Easter egg chocolate is all eaten, Easter has drawn to a close. The packaging is still with us however and as the Waste collection trucks come calling you need to properly end the Easter period with a good clean up. Single-use items, particularly packaging waste is a significant global issue, implicating and affecting us…
Cork Energy Cluster New Focus on the CE
We are delighted to see that this year’s Cork Energy Cluster conference will have a Zero Waste and Sustainability theme. At their annual conference 2021, March 24 – 26th, they will ‘Explore Innovative Models for Reducing Waste and Increasing Sustainability‘. This is a significant shift as it marks a departure from pure energy and sustainable…
