From City Streets to a National Solution: Re-turn’s Bin Surrounds to Boost On-The-Go Recycling in Galway City Centre

 

Pictured left to right: Fergal Cushen, Environmental Awareness Officer for Galway City Council, Patrick Greene, Director of Services for Operational Development, Galway City Council, Cllr Mike Cubbard, Mayor of the City of Galway, & Dermot Mulligan, Chief Marketing Officer at Re-turn

 

Re-turn, the administrator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, is expanding its successful bin surrounds initiative nationally. As part of the next stage of expansion, an additional 20 new bin surrounds have been installed in Galway City Centre.

 

This follows the recent installation of an additional 50 new bin surrounds in Dublin City Centre and 24 in Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

 

Carlow, Clare, Cavan, Westmeath, and Meath will follow over the coming months as the bin surrounds programme continues to expand. This expansion builds on the successful rollout of 130 bin surrounds in Dublin City, and an additional 24 in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. This initiative aims to make on-the-go recycling visible and accessible while reducing litter and preserving valuable recyclable materials.

 

Mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Mike Cubbard said: “We’re proud to bring this initiative to Galway, a city known for its vibrant community and forward-thinking spirit. Sustainability begins at the local level, and this bin surround initiative shows how thoughtful design can lead to a lasting impact. By making recycling and returns more visible and accessible, we’re empowering the people of Galway to take simple steps that make a real difference to our environment.”

 

Fergal Cushen, Environmental Awareness Officer, Galway City Council said: “”This is one of several steps the City Council is taking to make Galway a more circular city, while making it as convenient and visible as possible for members of the public to contribute. There may be tourists or people passing through Eyre Square who won’t have the opportunity to return their bottle or can. These new bin surrounds mean their cans and bottles stay segregated from general waste and can be recycled properly – with the person doing the recycling collecting 15 or 25 cents every time. It is a great initiative and fitting that it is being launched at the start of Galway City Council’s Climate Inspirations Festival.”

 

Commenting on the launch, Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, said: “Re-turn is delighted to collaborate with Galway City 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.”

 

Launched in October 2024 in partnership with Dublin City Council, the bin surrounds programme saw 80 bin surrounds launched across Dublin City Centre initially and has experienced a high level of public engagement and support.

 

Research from Re-turn found that containers left on the bin surrounds were collected on average within 16 minutes. 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.

 

This positive public response is being reflected in wider environmental improvements. Coastwatch recently reported the lowest bottle and can litter levels on Irish shores in 25 years, a trend reinforced by IBAL’s August survey, which showed a 50% increase in clean coastal sites.

 

This next phase is being co-funded on an equal basis by Re-turn and participating local authorities, working together to deliver practical solutions that support cleaner streets, stronger recycling habits, lower landfill rates, and a reduction in environmental pollution.