Re-turn rolls out 25th Bulk Reverse Vending Machine in Dundalk

Re-turn is marking the rollout of its 25th Bulk Reverse Vending Machine at SuperValu Fairways, Dundalk, as it continues to expand high-capacity return facilities across Ireland.

The milestone forms part of Re-turn’s ongoing work with retailers to make Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme as convenient and accessible as possible for consumers, particularly those returning larger quantities of bottles and cans at one time.

Bulk Reverse Vending Machines allow consumers to return larger volumes of eligible drinks containers in one go, rather than feeding bottles and cans into a machine individually.

To date, more than 3.5 billion containers have been returned across the return point network, with over 61 million through Bulk Reverse Vending Machines alone, demonstrating growing consumer uptake of these higher-capacity machines.

With 25 Bulk Reverse Vending Machines across 22 locations now open to the public, Re-turn expects the network to grow to 36 machines across 31 locations by the end of the year, as the phased rollout continues across the country.

Since the introduction of Bulk Reverse Vending Machine technology to the Irish market, Ireland has moved quickly to expand access, with the pace of rollout comparing strongly with more established Deposit Return Schemes across Europe.

Re-turn says that this continued expansion reflects its commitment to working in partnership with retailers to develop a convenient and accessible return network for consumers across Ireland.

Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, said: “One of our priorities as the Deposit Return Scheme continues to develop is making it as easy and convenient as possible for people to return their bottles and cans and get their deposits back.

“The return volumes already processed through Bulk Reverse Vending Machines demonstrate the important role they are playing in the Scheme.

“Reaching 25 machines across 22 locations is a significant milestone, and we are working with retailers towards a network of 36 machines across 31 locations by the end of the year.”

The Bulk Reverse Vending Machine network now includes locations across Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Kerry, Westmeath, Roscommon, Wexford, Galway, Monaghan, Limerick, Wicklow, Laois, Cavan and Donegal.

The Bulk Reverse Vending Machine network now spans locations across Ireland, with further installations planned in the coming months.

Re-turn says the rollout forms part of its continued investment in Ireland’s return network, giving consumers greater choice in how and where they return their bottles and cans and helping to build capacity as participation in the Scheme continues to grow.

Since launch, the Deposit Return Scheme has driven a significant increase in the number of bottles and cans being captured for recycling.

To date, more than 3.5 billion containers had been returned, with the overall recycling rate for in-scope containers increasing from approximately 49% before the Scheme to more than 90%, with 78% of this taking place through the Deposit Return Scheme

Re-turn says it will continue to work with retailers and other partners to expand and improve the return network, making it easier for consumers across the country to return their containers and reclaim their deposits.