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About CycleUp Textiles

CycleUp Textiles is a circular economy social enterprise that transforms waste textiles into bags and gifts, while also offering training and upskilling in the art of upcycling.

CycleUp Textiles, an initiative by Roscommon Women's Network, is a circular economy social enterprise focused on textile upcycling. We provide training that transforms pre-loved and unwanted textiles into unique, upcycled items.

 

Our core mission is to empower individuals through education and skills development in upcycling, while tackling the pressing issue of textile waste.

 

With a community-driven approach, CycleUp Textiles is dedicated to supporting the most marginalised women and families, helping them engage and participate in meaningful work.

 

All our products are made from 100% upcycled materials, thoughtfully designed and handmade in Athleague, County Roscommon, Ireland. Explore our collection of upcycled creations here.

CycleUp group photo of staff and volunteers showing bags and products upcycled from textiles

Some of the CycleUp textiles team – staff and volunteers (Photo by Aengus McMahon/The Ireland Funds.)

Our Story:
From Small Beginnings to a Sustainable Future

2018
The issue of textile waste first came to light through the efforts of volunteers at the Roscommon Women's Network (RWN) Charity Shop. The question arose: what happened to all the unsold clothing? This was the turning point – it was time to take action. Research showed that diverting just 15% of discarded textiles from landfills could prevent over 100,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. This insight led to a fact-finding visit to The Rediscovery National Centre for the Circular Economy.

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2019
The RWN Textile Upcycling Pilot Project was launched, co-funded by Local Agenda21 LAPN, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, and clothing brand Patagonia. The project also received support from Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB), the Roscommon Environmental Network, and the Rediscovery Centre.

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2021
Following the success of the pilot project and an evaluation by St. Angela’s College Sligo, RWN secured funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Green Enterprise initiative for the WECAN project. This provided a project manager for 12 months to develop and grow CycleUp, our environmental and training social enterprise. The funding allowed us to promote upcycled products, expand our training reach across the region, and spread awareness of the circular economy through networking and workshops.

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2022
CycleUp relocated to a dedicated space at the Riverside Centre in Athleague, Co. Roscommon, and expanded our team with three part-time Community Employment Trainee Sewing Assistants and two part-time Community Employment Administration Assistants.

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2023
With support from CEIGS funding, we were able to hire a Business Development Manager and a Production Team Leader to strengthen CycleUp as a business and brand.

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2024
We received CSP funding to employ a CycleUp Manager and four part-time Production Assistants, helping us scale our operations further. That year, we were honoured to win the RDS Spring Award for Rural Social Impact. Additionally, the EU Just Transition Fund awarded CycleUp Textiles funding to hire key positions, including a Progression and Skills Coordinator, Production Team Leader, Full-time Administrator, and Business Development Manager.

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Upcycling Textiles Training

To bridge the gap in upcycling skills, CycleUp took action by supporting team members in becoming qualified tutors. In May 2021, six participants completed the Training Delivery and Evaluation QQI Level 6 program. These women, including lone parents and caregivers, are now engaged in the project as tutors for our Upcycling Textiles Training Courses and Workshops. This initiative not only addresses the skills gap but also creates employment opportunities for those involved.

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Today, CycleUp employs 3 part-time staff and 5 Community Employment workers, supported by a team of 14 volunteers. We have helped some of our trainees move into self-employment. To date, 74 individuals have completed our training, and we've upcycled over 8,000 kg of textiles, resulting in a carbon saving of 65 tonnes.

Our mission to create sustainable change is growing stronger every day, and we are proud of the difference we continue to make.

Story of CycleUp textiles circular economy social enterprise in Roscommon Ireland

Meet The Team

Our Clients

Kepak Athleague Co Roscommon logo
Roscommon County Council logo
Roscommon County Council Climate Action
Hot Yoga Athlone
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CycleUp Textiles 

Riverside Centre, Athleague Co Roscommon

CycleUp is a circular economy environmental and training social enterprise developed and operated by Roscommon Women’s Network – Women’s Collective Ireland.

 
This project is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Pobal through the Community Services Programme
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RWN CycleUp Textiles Skills and Product Innovation Project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027
Women's collective Ireland logo
Roscommon Women's Network CycleUp textiles logo
Dept Rural Com Dev Pobal Logo
Department of the Environment, climate and communications logo supporting CycleUp textiles
Roscommon Co Council logo
GRETB logo support CycleUp textiles Roscommon
Department of community and integration logo
Roscommon Leader Partnership logo
Rethink Ireland logo
The Ireland Funds Logo
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