12 January 2026
Big news for sustainability! The Southern Region Waste Planning Office has teamed up with local councils to launch “Circular Cups for Community Events” in Ireland. This exciting initiative is designed to help local, not-for-profit events reduce single-use waste. It’s a game-changer for communities across the Southern Waste Region, which includes counties like Clare, Tipperary, and Cork.
Minister of State Alan Dillon, who oversees the Circular Economy, kicked off the program. He emphasized the importance of community action. “This initiative empowers locals to cut waste and embrace greener habits,” he said. It’s a step toward a more sustainable future for Ireland.
With this program, community groups—from sports clubs to schools—can access reusable cups. The stock includes 12,000 pint cups and 7,000 coffee cups, so there’s plenty for everyone!
Pauline McDonogh, Circular Economy Coordinator, shared insights about the collaboration. She pointed out how local authorities, including Clare County Council, helped make this project a reality. “We’re providing the tools that communities need to succeed,” she added.
How will it work? The process is simple. The service, managed by IRD Duhallow, delivers clean cups to the event location. After the event, they collect them, wash them at a dedicated facility, and they can be reused up to 300 times. Organizers only pay for transport and a small washing fee. This makes it accessible and budget-friendly.
Brendan Flynn from Clare County Council praised the initiative. “It’s a fantastic resource that helps clubs and schools embrace greener practices,” he said. Local authorities are also looking into grants to support events in this transition to reusable solutions.
The booking system is now live, and organizations can start reserving cups from January 12, 2026. This initiative not only aims to make reusable solutions common but also serves as a model for similar efforts nationwide.
As more communities engage with this program, social media reactions show increased excitement. Many local groups are sharing their plans to participate, creating a sense of unity around sustainability efforts.
If you want to learn more, check [here](https://scanner.topsec.com/?d=1293&r=show&u=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2F%2Freusablecups.tenvito.com%2F__%3B%21%21FMox2LFwyA%21sYSvn9zf1Y2B4cEu0BdHJuvyoMvW1Q9HtXXO6TkpCXwr_xEGkJeOq6Sfrk0ianA2ztaSUvMFrBa3qWNjoqOzPx4%24&t=500ed3c813555cdd39b5cc208751d3c190688a44) for more details.
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