In 2023 Clonmel Repair Café & Toy Library moved to the Zero Waste and Organic Growers shop in Anglesea street in Clonmel, who have been very generous with their time and more importantly their space
While a very sympathetic environment, conditions are tight and space is at a premium. We have 100’s of toys donated which would equate to ½ tonne (which would otherwise end up in landfill) and cannot accept anymore. We are at full capacity!
In January 2024, a group of like-minded people came together to explore how we could amplify our current activities. The idea of a circular economy “hub” emerged, a place where Repair Café, Toy Library, workshops and swap activities could take place along with a Zero Waste store and organic growers co-located together.
While researching and running a survey it has become apparent that there is a lack of community type spaces in the town of Clonmel. Smaller towns appear to have better community facilities and equipment than Clonmel which caters for a large population and has a huge catchment area.
Since our first meeting, we have visited the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun, completed a circular economy action plan facilitated by Voice and funded by the Community Foundation of Ireland. We are now developing contacts and support for our project as well as seeking out possible suitable buildings and working on a business plan.
The Circular Square is a community space for cultivating and exchanging ideas, skills and resources towards a sustainable future
To promote the circular economy through refill, repair, reuse and upcycling services and training.
To embrace the diverse and changing demographics of Clonmel by encouraging people from all walks of life to connect, learn and engage creatively.
To demonstrate practical ways and steps towards sustainable living and working together to grow the circular economy and build a regenerative community.
To support and develop social enterprises and community organisations that concentrate on keeping resources within the local community.
Download detailed proposal here.
We are looking for a premise to buy or to lease for a minimum of 5 years at low rent, ideally a disused but not derelict building with some character and a large enough footprint (approx. 300 M2) to enable growth and capacity building, modelled on similar places in Dublin and Swansea amongst others
Repair Café:
2023 approximately 100 items: *190Kg’s of material repaired.
Jan 2024 – August 2024, 70 items: *160Kg’s of material repaired.
Toy Library:
March 2023- August 2024 on average loan 45 toys per month
Total number of donated (reused toys) in stock approximately 500Kg
Cloths Swop:
Over 200 items approximately *62Kg’s of items reused.
Box Reusing:
Assessment in progress with a local on line business
The new National Waste Management plan sets out significant targets for achieving a circular economy and in our discussions with the Southern Waste Region we do believe that Suircan’s proposal for a Circular Economy Hub has the potential to assist towards achieving these targets for Tipperary and further afield.
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