IGBC Lunch & Learn | Designing a Circular Construction Take-Back Scheme for Ireland: Overview, Barriers and Opportunities

How can take-back schemes help Ireland move towards a more circular construction industry?

Take-back schemes allow products and materials to be returned to manufacturers or suppliers at the end of their use, creating opportunities for reuse, recycling and recovery instead of waste. In the construction sector, they offer a practical approach to keeping valuable materials in circulation and supporting a more resource-efficient built environment.

Join the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) for a session exploring the findings of a literature review of construction take-back schemes across Europe. The session will examine the different models in use, key design and implementation considerations, barriers to success, and opportunities to strengthen take-back approaches.

The discussion will also consider what these findings mean for Ireland, with a practical pallet take-back case study presented by CJ Sheeran.

This event is part of the Designing a Circular Construction Take-Back Scheme project, funded by Community Foundation Ireland. The project aims to develop an implementation plan and a white paper to support the development of take-back schemes in Ireland.

What to Expect

During this session, you will:

• Explore what construction take-back schemes are and the main models currently used across Europe.
• Understand key design and implementation considerations for effective take-back schemes.
• Identify common barriers and challenges that affect their success.
• Discover opportunities to strengthen take-back approaches and support circular construction.
• Learn from a practical pallet take-back case study presented by CJ Sheeran.
• Consider how European experience and lessons can inform the development of take-back schemes in Ireland.

Speakers

Gloriana Vargas- Project Manager, Irish Green Building Council (IGBC)

Gloriana is a Project Manager at the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), where she works on circularity, regulatory approaches, biodiversity initiatives and related areas. She holds degrees in architecture and business management, as well as an MSc in Architecture, Urbanism and Climate Action from University College Dublin (UCD). Prior to joining IGBC, Gloriana worked as a research scientist at UCD, focusing on sustainable urban development and environmental impact assessment. She also worked as a sustainability consultant at a global architectural firm, integrating resilience and sustainable strategies into architectural and urban projects. Her expertise includes circularity, climate mitigation and adaptation, nature restoration, stakeholder engagement, research and business management.

Lisa Dooley- Sales Operations and Process Lead, CJ Sheeran

Lisa Dooley is the Sales Operations and Process Lead at CJ Sheeran. She will present a practical pallet take-back case study, offering an industry perspective on take-back approaches and their application in Ireland.

Who Should Attend?

This session is relevant to:

• Construction product manufacturers and suppliers.
• Architects, engineers and construction professionals.
• Developers and contractors.
• Procurement professionals.
• Policymakers and public-sector representatives.
• Sustainability and circular economy practitioners.
• Anyone interested in resource efficiency and circular construction.

Why Attend?

As Ireland works towards a more circular built environment, take-back schemes offer an opportunity to reduce waste, retain the value of construction materials and rethink how products are managed at the end of their use.

By bringing together European research and an Irish industry case study, this session will provide useful insights into the practical considerations, challenges and opportunities involved in developing take-back schemes.

Whether you are involved in manufacturing, construction, procurement, policy or sustainability, the discussion will offer an opportunity to better understand how take-back schemes could contribute to a more circular construction sector in Ireland.

For More Details Contact:
Gloriana Vargas
Fernanda De Souza Rocha

This project is funded by Community Foundation Ireland.