Re-Turn bin surrounds aim to improve on the go recycling

Re-Turn bin surrounds have been installed on public bins to tackle the on-the-go recycling, and the Mullingar ones were formally introduced to the public on the Market Square in Mullingar last week.

The bin surrounds allow commuters, shoppers, and visitors to leave plastic bottles and cans for others to take and return, and get the deposit.

The goal of the pilot programme is to prevent plastic bottles and cans from being discarded in public waste streams and allow for better recycling, while also reducing litter.

Discarding bottles and cans in public waste bins means the monetary deposit is thrown away, and the recyclable material may be lost to landfill if not extracted at a recovery facility. PET plastics and aluminium containers can be recycled multiple times to make new plastic bottles and cans, reducing the need for new materials.

Westmeath County Council in collaboration with Re-Turn launched the bin surrounds on Tuesday, when staff from Re-Turn were present to offer advice and information to the public .

In attendance to help launch were Westmeath County Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Aoife Davitt, Cllr Vinny McCormack, cathaoirleach of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, and director of services of, Deirdre Reilly.

Re-Turn official Stephen Walsh spoke to the Examiner: “This is to launch 28 bin surrounds between here and Athlone, as we are trying to encourage people who are on the go to recycle their bottles and cans rather than throw them in the bin.

“We hope to roll this out further across the country. We have reached all over the country as far as Galway, Clare, and expansions in Dublin, Meath, and now Westmeath as well.”

Cllr Davitt, said: “Westmeath County Council is delighted to partner with Re-Turn to launch this vital on-the-go recycling initiative. We are committed to supporting Ireland’s transition to a circular economy. This initiative is essential to enhancing recycling in public spaces and nurturing a low-carbon future, which I am confident will drive positive and meaningful change.”

Ciaran Hope, CEO of Re-Turn, said Every new location strengthens the impact of the programme, making recycling more visible, accessible and convenient for people on the go. He said the public response so far has been positive, and there is a strong uptake in each county where the bin surrounds have been introduced.

“By working in partnership with local authorities, we are not only keeping streets cleaner but also helping to embed lasting recycling habits that benefit both our communities and the environment,” he said.