DBI highlights that shopping with Irish retailers helps deliver a more sustainable Christmas, as many international distance sellers fail to contribute to Ireland’s recycling schemes.

Dublin, 21 November 2025 – Digital Business Ireland (DBI) has today launched its ‘Click Green, Shop Clean’ campaign, encouraging consumers to choose Irish-based retailers when shopping online this Cyber Week and in the run-up to Christmas. The initiative comes as 8 in 10 adults say they would prefer Irish shopping events instead of global events such as Cyber Week and Black Friday. It also comes following Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath’s warning of “dangerous” products entering the EU market from outside the bloc. 

The initiative highlights the sustainability, safety and consumer rights benefits of purchasing from retailers operating in Ireland, while many large online sellers and producers outside of the EU continue to evade obligations under Irish extended producer responsibilities (EPR) in the recycling of the products, packaging, batteries and e-waste they sell into Ireland.  

The campaign draws on recently published polling showing strong consumer concern over the sustainability of products purchased from distance sellers. According to Amárach research, 6 in 10 consumers say they are less likely to purchase from online retailers that do not contribute to Ireland’s EPR schemes, rising to 7 in 10 among those aged over-55. 

DBI says these insights underline the need for a level playing field between compliant Irish retailers and international distance sellers, to avoid undermining our circular economy targets and removing the financial burden off Irish retailers in recycling products they did not produce.  

DBI also says that introducing solutions, such as a Pay-on-Behalf model which requires platforms to register, report and pay EPR fees for their sellers, would ensure that all online sellers contribute fairly to Ireland’s recycling and take-back systems, rather than leaving compliant Irish retailers to shoulder the cost.  

Speaking at the launch outside Leinster House today, Victor Timon, Vice-Chair of Digital Business Ireland, said: “Click Green, Shop Clean’ is about empowering consumers to make informed choices. When you choose an Irish retailer online, you support businesses that contribute to Ireland’s circular economy and ensure that relevant purchases are subject to a comprehensive waste take-back regime, that promotes sustainability, and safety.  

“Sustainability and safety are of increasing importance to Irish shoppers. While Irish retailers have to comply with Ireland’s waste management and recycling framework, sadly some distance sellers are not subject to the same high standards.”