VOICE - Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment

18/06/2026

Last month, we had the chance to support sustainable fashion in the workplace as part of Gilead's Earth Day celebration.

With multiple activities around sustainable fashion, here's what we achieved:

- A swap shop was help to env’courage staff to refresh their wardrobe without being new

- 10+ garments were repaired on-site thanks to our partners at Magic Thread, giving loved clothes a longer life.

- 25 staff members joined our Fabric of Change workshop to learn about the impacts of the fashion industry and discuss opportunities for circularity.

- Over 15kg (38 items) of clothing were donated to the UCC campaign, helping students access professional clothing as they take their first steps into the workplace.

In just one day, we've both delivered meaningful actions and provided tools for long lasting change.

If youd'd like to bring a sustainable fashion event to your workplace, check out our workshop offerings on voiceireland.org and don't hesitate to get in touch!

09/06/2026

VOICE CEO Tad Kirakowski told Ciara Kelly (Hard Shoulder - Newstalk) that Irish homes struggle to use the right bags for the compost bins.

“Where this conversation gets a little bit more tricky is when we look past the bags and we start to look at where most of us engage with those compostable materials and it's when we're getting the coffee on the go or the food on the go and the cup that you get it in.”

Listen back here...

Waste experts on The Hard Shoulder have warned that Ireland is seeing more food waste going into general bins than compost.

08/06/2026

Fabric of Change is introducing its brand new logo!

This logo comes in as the programme not only grows online but will now carry out more physical projects with .ireland and !

We're so excited for 2026 to be a year focusing on prevention (reduce and reuse) and support great initiatives.

⚡️Make sure to follow us (voiceireland) to see all updates and events.

A special thank you to for the lovely design, which embodies the change we wanna see in the industry.

28/05/2026

Do you want to contribute to waste reduction in Ireland? 💪 Then register today to participate in this year's National Recycling Bin Survey! ♻️
https://airtable.com/app7scgaRPSylaNEd/pagt5cDAY6irIHVh0/form?prefill_FORM%20SOURCE=General%20Form

26/05/2026

The National Recycling Bin Survey is Back! And we need YOU

Ireland's packaging problem is not going away - but with your help we can expose the truth - the real source of waste and push for change.

This is the 3rd of our citizen-led research project, and it cannot happen without your help.

Support this research - take part - learn about what's in your bin and where it comes from - sign up today ::

https://airtable.com/app7scgaRPSylaNEd/pagt5cDAY6irIHVh0/form?prefill_FORM+SOURCE=General+Form

20/05/2026

❓An raibh a fhios agat? Did you know?

♻Tá 25% níos lú lorg carbóin ag clúidíní éadach ná clúidíní aonúsáide.

ℹChun tuilleadh eolais a fháil, cliceáil anseo – www.clothnappylibrary.ie



Cloth Nappy Library Ireland
VOICE - Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment

19/05/2026

The European Commission has begun infringement proceedings against Ireland as we are not doing enough to transpose the Single Use Plastics Directive (2019).

VOICE have publicly and repeatedly raised concerns over the failure to introduce the promised latte levy, the absence of any national consumption‑reduction targets or measures for single use plastic cups or food containers, the lack of producer responsibility for awareness‑raising and litter clean‑up, delays in establishing extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, and lack of progress on reuse systems and separate collection.

You can read more about this and the letter we are writing to Ministers below...

The European Commission’s infringement notice highlights missed opportunities on levies, producer responsibility, and reusable alternatives.

20/04/2026

From policy to real-world impact - does it actually work?

Abi’s latest article examines how the SUPD is shaping plastic pollution levels in Ireland, backed by real data.

Click on the article below to read more...

From disappearing banned items to fewer bottles on beaches, the SUPD is delivering results, but only where it’s fully implemented

19/02/2026

We’re proud to co-sign an open letter with European Environmental Bureau-EEB

and other European organisation's, calling on the EU to put protection first in chemicals policy.

Hazardous chemicals are still widely used in everyday products, harming people’s health, polluting our environment, and blocking the transition to a truly circular economy.

Weakening EU chemical rules under the label of “simplification” would only increase waste, toxic pollution, and long-term costs to society.

Strong implementation of REACH and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability is essential to:
• Phase out the most harmful substances (including PFAS)
• Protect citizens; especially children and vulnerable groups
• Prevent toxic pollution before it happens
• Support innovation in safer, sustainable alternatives
• Enable a toxic-free circular economy

At VOICE, we believe reducing waste and using natural resources wisely starts with eliminating dangerous chemicals at the source. We must prioritise protecting people and the environment, and not the interests of industry.

You can read the open letter here:
https://eeb.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260219_Statement-on-REACH-revision-2.pdf

13/01/2026

📣 It’s time to speak up about coffee cup waste

Back in '22, the Government promised to introduce a levy on disposable cups at the point of sale (like plastic bags). That levy still hasn’t been delivered.

Meanwhile, community-led reuse projects like the Killarney Coffee Cup Project are struggling, not because reuse doesn’t work, but because the promised support hasn’t arrived.

Please take a minute to ask your TD to honour the gov's commitment and introduce the disposable cup levy without further delay...go to our website for email template and to find your TD's email address.

Every year of inaction locks Ireland into unnecessary waste, undermines community-led reuse initiatives, and sends the wrong signal at a time when decisive action on resource use is urgently needed.

We need your help!

This is a two minute action that can make a real different to litter levels in Ireland. There is a sample email and you can find your TD's email address if you go to our website 👇

and how you can help...