Circular Economy Programme
The Circular Economy Programme, developed by the RDS and in collaboration with Trinity Executive Education, recognise Irish businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators making a positive difference in meeting the climate change challenge.
The collaboration between the RDS and Trinity Executive Education aims to push circular models into the spotlight and help inspire a new generation of innovation leaders, while growing awareness and support with consumers to buy products created with circular principles. The circular economy provides a key solution for our waste crisis, but it also makes solid economic sense, as we face into a future where we must maximise the resources available to us.
Circular Economy Awards
The call for entries for the 2026 Awards have now closed.
For any questions, please contact enterprise@rds.ie
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Circular design thinking is the driving force behind some of today’s most innovative and disruptive new businesses. The Circular Economy Awards recognise and celebrate the organisations, entrepreneurs, and innovators making a real difference in this space.
The Awards highlight the wide-ranging benefits the circular economy can offer both producers and consumers, showcasing practical examples of circular principles in action.
The Awards are open to businesses that demonstrate circular practices. This means products or services that use renewable materials and are designed for durability, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling to keep products, components, and materials circulating in the economy.
As part of the RDS Circular Economy Programme, an annual alumni event, delivered in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, supports lifelong learning, networking, and continued peer-to-peer exchange focused on the implementation of circular economy strategies and processes.
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Head Judge
- Dr Anne Marie Henihan, Centre Director, Dairy Processing Technology Centre
Judges
- Prof. Anna Davies, Professor of Geography and Director of the Environmental Governance Research Group, Trinity College Dublin
- Stephanie O'Callaghan, ESG Strategy and Partnerships Manager, Tirlán
- Barry Caslin, Energy and Rural Development Specialist, Teagasc
- Conor Mulvihill, Director, Dairy Industry Ireland, IBEC
- Shiena Connolly, ESG Strategist
- Dr Geraldine Brennan, Director of Circular Economy Innovation, Irish Manufacturing Research
- Prof Iouri Gounko, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin
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- Winner: €2,000, and a scholarship to a short course delivered by Trinity Executive Education and an RDS Circular Economy Awards Trophy
- Runner-up: €1,000 and an RDS Certificate of Merit
3. New Category: Social Enterprise Award Category
Criteria: Based in Ireland, in operation for at least three years, be operating as a Social Enterprise i.e., as defined by the National Social Enterprise Policy, employees less than 250, annual balance sheet of less than €43 million, annual turnover of less than €50 million.
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Emerging Award Category
Winner – HaPPE Earth, Co. Dublin
Commendation – SYNAERGY, Trinity College Dublin
Merit – BladeBridge, Co. Cork
SME Award Category
Winner – IQUTECH, Co. Limerick
Commendation – Rebox, Co. Dublin
Merit – The FACTORY, Co. Offaly
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Emerging Award Category
Winner – Change Clothes Crumlin, Co. Dublin Find out more
Commendation – Refillz Zero Waste Ltd., Co. Kildare
SME Award Category
Winner – Harp Renewables, Co. Meath Find out more
Commendation – Novelplast, Co. Meath
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