Zero Waste Alliance Ireland

What Zero Waste Alliance Ireland does

Zero Waste Alliance Ireland (ZWAI) is an Irish registered charity and member-based environmental NGO, founded in 1999 and headquartered in An Baile Mór (Ballymore), Ireland. The organisation advocates for zero-waste and circular-economy policy at both national and EU levels, and operates three demonstration projects: a low-temperature mobile biodigester that converts event food waste into nutrient-rich compost (deployed at Body & Soul 2023); a struvite phosphorus recovery system that recycles urine into a natural fertiliser safe for food production (demonstrated at Body & Soul 2023 and Éalú le Grá 2025); and a feature documentary, 'SEAGRASS: The Hidden Life Beneath Our Shores', produced with the University of Galway's Ryan Institute and premiered on June 16, 2026. Its primary audiences are individual supporters and community members, festival and event organisers, and government/EU policymakers, with the organisation's membership serving as its principal policy-making body.

ZWAI operates with a very small core staff (1–10 employees) that is supplemented significantly by volunteers and members. Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: members participate directly in policy formation at the Annual General Meeting; the organisation maintains an active presence at Irish music festivals and large concerts (notably the Coldplay Croke Park concerts in August–September 2024, facilitated by Global Citizen); and it produces educational content distributed via its website (zwai.ie), social media channels, and YouTube. Its technology outputs are not commercialised — they function as awareness and policy-advocacy instruments rather than revenue-generating products.

Funding comes from three streams: individual donations processed via Stripe, membership contributions, and Irish Government (DECC) funding distributed through the Irish Environmental Network (IEN). ZWAI is a member of the IEN, the Environmental Pillar, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), and since May 2025, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe. Other notable institutional partners include the University of Galway, Sea Synergy, StreamScapes, and the European Seagrass Restoration Alliance. Leadership is vested in a member-elected board: Chairman Ollan Herr (also Co-Treasurer and Director, leading the struvite project), Vice Chairpersons Jack O'Sullivan (founding member and documentary narrator) and Jack Coffey, and Directors including Órla Coutin Fitzsimons (documentary producer/director) and Sara.

Name

Zero Waste Alliance Ireland

Legal name

Zero Waste Alliance Ireland

Website

https://zwai.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Zero Waste Alliance Ireland is a member-based Irish environmental NGO founded in 1999 that advocates for zero-waste and circular-economy policy, operates mobile biodigester and struvite-recovery demonstration projects at festivals, and produces educational documentary content for the public, policymakers, and event organisers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Advocacy Services

NAICS

Remediation and Other Waste Management Services (5629)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL)

Keywords

• Environmental NGO services
• Circular economy advocacy
• Zero waste policy
• Sustainable waste management
• Environmental documentary production

Headquarters

HQ city

An Baile Mór

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters, described as going directly towards organizational work. Both one-time and recurring donation options available via Stripe.
2. Membership Fees: Member-based organization where members pay to join and participate in policy-making and organizational activities.
3. Government Funding: Supported by Irish Government funding from DECC distributed through the Irish Environmental Network (IEN).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zero Waste Alliance Ireland (ZWAI) is an Irish environmental NGO that promotes zero waste policy, circular economy practices and sustainable living. It delivers this mission through three main streams: policy advocacy at national and EU levels, hands-on environmental technology demonstrations including a mobile biodigester for food waste composting and a struvite phosphorus recovery system, and awareness-raising media production such as its seagrass documentary.

Product overview

Zero Waste Alliance Ireland (ZWAI) is an environmental NGO focused on zero waste and circular economy advocacy. The organization offers documentary filmmaking (seagrass documentary), environmental technology solutions (struvite phosphorus recovery system, mobile biodigester), membership programs, and donation/fundraising opportunities. The portfolio includes awareness-raising media productions alongside practical circular economy technologies demonstrated at Irish festivals and communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SEAGRASS: The Hidden Life Beneath Our Shores A full-length documentary exploring seagrass meadows' role in capturing carbon, supporting marine life, and protecting coastlines. Produced for public screening and education in partnership with the University of Galway.
• Struvite Phosphorus Project A practical project that demonstrates recycling of urine into struvite, a natural fertiliser safe for food production, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers. Demonstrated at Irish festivals and with community groups.
• ZWAI Biodigester A mobile biodigester that works at very low temperatures to turn food waste into nutrient-rich compost using minimal energy. Used at events such as Body & Soul 2023 as part of experiments in low-energy, small-scale circular composting.

Quantifiable outcome

• Membership more than doubled in 2020 following expansion efforts
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• University of Galway (Ryan Institute)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Collaboration for seagrass documentary production and premiere on June 16, 2026. ZWAI worked with researchers from National University of Ireland, Galway including their work within the European CLIMAREST project. Ryan Institute Director Prof. Frances Fahy participated in panel discussion at premiere.
• Climate Action Network (CAN) EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025ZWAI joined CAN Europe in May 2025. CAN Europe is Europe's leading climate coalition with over 180 member organizations across 38 countries, working on climate and energy issues.
• Coldplay / Global CitizenflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2024ZWAI was selected by Coldplay and Global Citizen as the environmental partner for Dublin concerts at Croke Park (August 29 - September 2, 2024). Volunteers engaged tens of thousands of concertgoers on waste reduction and circular economy principles. Coldplay specifically chose ZWAI to highlight their zero-waste advocacy work.
• Irish Environmental Network (IEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZWAI is a member of the Irish Environmental Network (IEN), which distributes Irish Government (DECC) funding to member NGOs. ZWAI participates in IEN events including the Winter Conference bringing together national and local environmental groups.
• Environmental PillarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization representing environmental NGOs in policy advocacy and consultation processes.
• European Environmental Bureau (EEB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean-level federation of environmental NGOs. ZWAI is a member providing access to EU-level policy networks and advocacy.
• European Seagrass Restoration AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Ricard J. Lilley, Chair of the European Seagrass Restoration Alliance, participated in the seagrass documentary premiere panel discussion.
• Sea SynergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for seagrass documentary screenings, collaborating on community and educational events.
• StreamScapesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for seagrass documentary screenings, working on awareness raising initiatives.
• European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZWAI members attended the EESC Civil Society Organisations Group conference in University College Cork on June 30, 2026. Participated in discussions on EU sustainability agenda and policy influence.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Z_W_A_I
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=Qu4sjSwwgSw&t=2s
• Facebookfacebook.com/ZeroWasteAllianceIreland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zero-waste-alliance-ireland
• Instagraminstagram.com/zerowasteallianceireland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Zero Waste Alliance Ireland