It is welcomed that the role of the Circular Economy is acknowledged in a number of Chapters of the draft Carlow County Development Plan, especially in Chapter 6, where it is clearly stated that the Council will support circular economy principles prioritising prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery over the disposal of waste. We feel there is also potential to include direct reference to the Circular Economy in certain other sections of the draft Development Plan, in particular in the opening Chapter 1 Introduction and Context. Inclusion in Chapter 1 could show that the Circular Economy has benefits not alone with regard to waste infrastructure, but also in the wider general economy.
Appropriate wording on the Circular Economy in Chapter 1 could be
Carlow County Council plays a fundamental role in the transition from a linear to a circular economy as they are responsible for key policies in public services that affect citizens’ wellbeing, economic growth and environmental quality. This plan will foster the linkages to transition from linear model to a circular model which keeps resources in use for as long as possible.