A scheme whereby surrounds are added to public bins to allow people to more easily retrieve discarded drink containers is being expanded around the country.
The initiative from Re-turn, the administrator of the Deposit Return Scheme, follows a successful pilot programme in Dublin city.
As part of the next phase, it will be rolled out around Dún Laoghaire Harbour, and also will extend to Galway City, Meath, Carlow, Clare, Westmeath and further areas of Dublin city centre in the coming months.
24 new bin surrounds have been installed across the Dún Laoghaire Harbour area for the expansion there.
The bin surrounds hold about a dozen cans and bottles at the front of the bin and are attached to public bins that are already in place.
The pilot programme launched in October last year saw 80 bin surrounds added across Dublin City Centre, which Re-turn said experienced a high level of public engagement and support.
Research from Re-turn suggested that containers left on the bin surrounds were collected on average within 16 minutes.
The aim of the project is provide a practical way to recycle on the go, while reducing landfill waste and environmental pollution.
Over 1.6 billion plastic bottles and cans have been recycled through the Deposit Return Scheme since it was introduced in February 2024.
The chief executive of Re-turn, Ciaran Foley, said the initiative is “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,” he added.
The chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran, said the addition of bin surrounds around the harbour “directly supports the implementation of our Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy and aligns with the Council’s Climate Action Plan 2024-2029”.
This next phase of the scheme is being co-funded on an equal basis by Re-turn and participating local authorities.
