A new sustainability initiative encouraging waste‑free celebrations was recently launched in County Carlow, introducing a pilot reusable party‑pack scheme available through selected community groups and Carlow Library.
The “Borrow, Use, Return” project, developed by Environmental Awareness Officers across the Southern Waste Region, including Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry, Clare and Cork, aims to cut single‑use plastic and support the shift towards a more circular, climate‑friendly economy. The initiative is funded through the EPA National Waste Prevention Programme.
Following a strong response to a recent call‑out for participants, a limited number of party packs have now been distributed to chosen community organisations for this six‑month pilot phase. These groups will act as local lending hubs, sharing the packs among families and residents planning birthdays, school events, sports days, community gatherings and more. Participating organisations include Carlow Library, Delta Centre, Hacketstown Tidy Towns, Develop Tullow Association, St Catherine’s Centre Childcare, Tullow Road Residents Association, Absolute Beginners Creche, County Carlow Environmental Network, and the Cairdeas Centre.
Each party pack serves up to 30 people and includes reusable plates, cups, bowls, cutlery, jugs and vibrant bunting made by Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI) using upcycled textiles. All items are durable, washable and designed for repeated use within the community, helping to prevent unnecessary waste and reduce local waste‑management costs.
Residents simply borrow a pack free of charge, use it for their celebration, wash the items afterwards and return it, keeping resources in circulation and reducing the need for disposable party supplies.
Following the six‑month pilot, participating groups will provide feedback to help evaluate the scheme’s impact and determine whether a wider rollout will be possible, subject to funding and resources.
Alongside supplying reusable items, the initiative also promotes eco‑friendly celebration ideas such as digital invitations, reusable decorations, activity‑based alternatives to party bags, fabric gift wrapping and sharing leftover treats in reusable containers.
“Reusing everyday items is a positive climate action that we can all take,” said Dee Sewell, Environmental Awareness Officer with Carlow County Council. “This pilot project is helping Carlow communities, and throughout the regions, to celebrate together without the environmental impact or cost of single-use party products. It’s a practical example of circular living working at a local level, while keeping the joy of community celebrations at its heart.”
Community groups that were not selected for this pilot will be able to express their interest in any future expansion of the scheme following evaluation later this year, or on request, they can be provided with a shopping list to enable them to purchase their own kits, if and when funding allows.
For updates, residents are encouraged to follow local newsletters and social media channels of participating organisations.
For more information on the scheme, contact Dee Sewell, Environmental Awareness Officer, Carlow County Council dsewell@carlowcoco.ie or 059 9170334