Tipperary circular living champion honoured at national awards event

A Tipperary champion of circular living was honoured at the Circular.ie Full Circle Awards held in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Louise Lalor, founder of Clonmel Toy Library and co-founder of Circular Square, which is Tipperary’s first circular economy hub, was a runner-up in the Circular Living Advocate category, honouring individuals who live by and promote zero waste and low-impact lifestyles.

The judging panel paid tribute to the teacher and mother of two for being a passionate advocate for local circular economy initiatives.

They highlighted how Louise helped establish clothes swaps, reuse initiatives and creative hubs that connect families and communities to sustainable practices.

READ NEXT: Entrance to new Garda Station means people 'won't feel the same' about Clonmel plaza

Grounded in her love of nature and desire to create a better world for her children, they said Louise inspires others through action, education and her belief in the power of small, positive steps to build a brighter future.

Louise teaches in Bunscoil na Cathrach in Cahir. She is a past pupil of Lisronagh National School and Loreto Secondary School in Clonmel and attended UCC.

SEE MORE: All-Ireland-winning Tipperary manager appointed ambassador of engineering company

Circular Square (Suircan Environmental CLG), which provides repair, reuse and upcycling services, was a runner-up in the Best Community Campaign category, which shines a light on the best campaigns that circular economy community groups are running in Ireland.

Founded in 2009, Suircan Environmental CLG began as a community group dedicated to enhancing the River Suir and its surroundings.

Today, its scope has widened to promoting a creative, vibrant and sustainable future for Clonmel. As facilitators of the Circular Square project, Suircan provides oversight, insurance and governance, enabling a hub of circular economy activity in the town.
The judging panel paid tribute to its commitment to public spaces, environmental advocacy and the policy of reuse. 

This is the first year of the Full Circle Awards, created by Circular.ie to spotlight people and projects that demonstrate what circular living looks like.

Minister of State in the Department of Climate, Energy & the Environment Alan Dillon said the awards highlight how people across Ireland are making a real difference in their community by embracing and promoting circular living in their daily lives.

“They also act as inspiration to others, creating momentum throughout the country.”

The event in the Aviva also celebrated the launch of Circular.ie, Ireland’s new national platform designed to help people in Tipperary reduce waste, get more from the things they already have, save money and build thriving local communities through circular living.

Developed by The Rediscovery Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment and other stakeholders working in this area, Circular.ie offers practical tools, guidance and inspiration for anyone in Tipperary looking to live more sustainably from reusing and repairing to sharing and repurposing.

Louise Lalor is organising a Rewear Fair in conjunction with the Talbot Hotel in Clonmel from 11am to 4pm on Sunday November 9.

Tradespeople, charities and individuals are invited to bring their pre-loved, vintage and second hand clothes and sell them to a captive audience.

The event will be held in the main ballroom of the Talbot Hotel.

More information is available by emailing circularsquareclonmel@gmail.com or following Instagram link https://www.instagram.
com/reel/DOypFZTAtST
/?utm_source=ig_
web_copy_link