Enva, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading recycling and resource recovery specialists, recently welcomed Alan Dillon, Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with responsibility for the Circular Economy, to its Walshestown Resource Recovery Facility, showcasing how private sector investment is delivering the infrastructure needed to support Ireland’s housing, climate and resource ambitions.

Located in Co. Kildare, the facility represents one of the most advanced construction and demolition (C&D) waste recovery operations in Ireland. Designed to recover high-quality recycled sand, soil and aggregate products, Walshestown demonstrates how waste can be transformed into valuable secondary materials, reducing reliance on virgin resources and lowering the carbon footprint of construction and infrastructure projects.

With over €100 billion in planned infrastructure investment and a target to deliver 300,000 homes by 2030, Ireland faces growing demand for materials while construction continues to be its largest waste stream. Meeting these challenges requires domestic circular infrastructure at scale.

Developed in partnership with CDE and backed by I Squared Capital, a leading infrastructure investor in Enva, the 180 tonnes-per-hour wet-processing facility demonstrates how private sector investment, enabled by clear policy and regulation, is already delivering the infrastructure required to support Ireland’s circular transition.

Operating under EPA licensing and End-of-Waste frameworks, the facility processes up to 330,000 tonnes per annum and recovers around 70% of incoming material into reusable aggregates, reducing landfill dependency and supporting a more resource-efficient construction sector.

Roger McDermott, Chief Executive Officer, Enva, said: “Walshestown demonstrates how Ireland can translate circular economy policy into real, functioning infrastructure that supports housing delivery and climate objectives.

By recovering high-quality materials from construction and demolition waste, we are helping to reduce reliance on finite resources while supporting our customers in lowering their environmental impact and advancing their decarbonisation programmes.

To fully realise this potential, it is essential that regulatory pathways remain clear and consistent, End-of-Waste approvals are progressed efficiently, and public procurement continues to support the adoption of recycled materials across infrastructure delivery.”

Alan Dillon, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the Circular Economy, stated: “I welcome that Enva and I Squared Capital are leading the way in providing recycling and resource recovery solutions that supports the full life cycle of products. Construction and demolition waste makes up half of all waste generated in Ireland, with 75% sent for backfilling. The Circular Economy Strategy sets the ambition to reduce this by 12% by 2030.

This facility delivers a fully aligned circular infrastructure solution, supporting Government objectives, enabling national housing and infrastructure delivery, reducing reliance on virgin resources, lowering carbon, and attracting long-term, sustainable investment to support enterprise.”

Ireland has a significant opportunity to lead in circular construction through the continued alignment of policy, regulation, procurement and industry investment.

While facilities like Walshestown demonstrate that this capability now exists, scaling this model to meet national demand will require continued support across policy, regulation and market frameworks.

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