New bins popping up where you can leave - or take - plastic bottles and cans
The Deposit Re-turn scheme, which sees people pay a 15c-25c deposit on your cans and plastic bottles, was rolled out last year — with people saving up their cans and bottles to get their deposits back in lump sums.
While some people get annoyed at the fact that they'll need to carry around their cans all day, the company launched surrounds for bins where they can leave their cans and bottles, or can take similar bottles and cans to get the deposit back. Re-turn have announced that they're rolling out their bin surrounds to towns across Ireland, after a successful rollout in Dublin. Pic: Peter Houlihan / Fennells Photography.
After a successful pilot of the pilot in Dublin, Re-Turn have announced that they'll be rolling out the bin surrounds nationwide.
The bin surrounds will be expanded to bins in Galway City, Meath, Carlow, Clare, Westmeath and further areas in Dublin City Centre in the coming months, with the company saying that they hope it makes on-the-go recycling visible and reducing litter, as well as preserving valuable recycling materials. 24 of these bins will be installed along the Dún Laoghaire Harbour area.
Research from Re-turn found that containers left on the bin surrounds were collected on average within 16 minutes, while a survey carried out by Re-turn reveals that 79% of the public support on-the-go recycling schemes and would welcome a similar scheme in their local area. Cllr Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, and Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, at the launch of Re-turn's 24 new bin surrounds in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. Pic: Peter Houlihan / Fennells Photography.
'We're really pleased to see the new Re-turn bin surrounds now in place at Dún Laoghaire Harbour,' Cllr Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said. 'It's a simple idea that makes a big difference, giving people an easy way to return their bottles and cans while out and about. Putting these units in such a busy, scenic spot helps encourage better habits and keeps the harbour looking its best.'
Re-turn are also welcoming the expansion of the surround scheme, with CEO Ciaran Foley saying 'Re-turn is delighted to collaborate with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on this important on-the-go recycling initiative.
'We are committed to providing the public with convenient and visible recycling options, and the bin surrounds pilot scheme is successfully delivering on that promise. We are encouraging the public to utilise bin surrounds and assist with the recycling of plastic bottles and cans. Together, we can support the circular economy and make a real difference in our communities and environment.' The bins will be expanded to new areas in Dublin, as well as Galway, Clare, Carlow, Westmeath and Meath. Pic: Peter Houlihan / Fennells Photography.
'The launch of these innovative bin surrounds on the outside of our Big Belly Bins is a practical step forward in capturing and segregating bottles and cans from general waste, making recycling more accessible for everyone,' Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, added.
'This initiative directly supports the implementation of our Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy and aligns with the Council's Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. By working in partnership with Re-turn, we are not only encouraging sustainable habits but also taking tangible action to reduce litter and protect the environment across our communities.'
Since February 2024, when a person buys a drink with the Re-Turn logo, they pay a small deposit in addition to the price. The containers included in the scheme are PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans from 150ml to three litres.
The 'Give Take Return' program adds the surrounds to 80 bins for people to donate empty bottles and cans while on the go. Others are allowed to take these donations for recycling at the Reverse Vending Machines (RVM), located in most major chain shops.
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