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• Cork Airport to introduce Re-turn’s first charity Reverse Vending Machines.
• Airport has installed two charity reverse vending machines (RVMs) and two standard RVMs, allowing passengers the choice to donate their deposits or utilise them at the airport cafés, bar, and food court.
• All funds raised via the charity RVMs will go to ‘Return for Children’ initiative to support six of Ireland’s largest children’s charities.
• Machines are located both landside and airside for maximum convenience, as part of Cork Airport’s ongoing commitment to its sustainability programme.
• Cork Airport is Ireland’s best performing commercial semi-state body for energy reduction as assessed by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for two years running. 

Cork Airport has teamed up with Re-turn to launch the first reverse vending machines located at a transport hub as part of the Deposit Return Scheme, under a pilot programme. At a ceremony at Cork Airport yesterday, Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dan Boyle officially unveiled the new reverse vending machines.

The airport will have four RVMs in total, two pink charity RVMs and two standard RVMs, with one of each located landside and airside at the airport, allowing passengers the choice to donate their deposits to charity or utilise them for purchases at the airport cafés, food court and bar. Deposits from drinks containers returned to the charity RVMs will go to the ‘Return for Children’ initiative, encompassing six of Ireland’s largest children’s charities.

This development makes Cork Airport the first airport and the first transport hub in Ireland to pilot RVMs and is another progressive step in Cork Airport’s overall commitment to sustainable business practice. At the end of the pilot programme, Cork Airport will review the level of recycling and make improvements and changes as necessary. All funds raised by the charity RVMs will be evenly distributed to the six children’s charities encompassing the Return for Children initiative: Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack & Jill, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, and Make-A-Wish Ireland. Collectively, these six charities support over 165,000 vulnerable and seriously ill children in communities across Ireland.

On the launch of the new RVMs, Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn said:

“We are delighted to partner with Cork Airport to launch Ireland’s first charity reverse vending machines. This initiative promotes sustainability by facilitating recycling through the Deposit Return Scheme at this important transport hub, while also supporting truly worthy organisations which provide vital supports to thousands of children. Every bottle or can recycled through our charity RVMs contributes directly to making a difference in the lives of children in need.”

Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director 

at Cork Airport warmly welcomed the introduction of the RVM’s by adding:

“We are absolutely committed to playing our part in ensuring a sustainable future for Irish aviation. We’re delighted to have the best energy reduction of all Irish airports and commercial semi-state bodies in the last two years and we have an ambitious and progressive sustainability plan. Recycling plastic bottles and aluminium cans is a must-have, and we are proud to be the first transport hub in Ireland to pilot this scheme.”

Performing the official unveiling of the new RVMs at Cork Airport, Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dan Boyle said:

“I am delighted to officially unveil the new reverse vending machines at Cork Airport. These reverse vending machines will allow passengers to exchange their empty bottles and cans in return for the deposit, which can be spent at the various retail outlets at the airport, or alternatively, to donate their deposit which will benefit six fantastic Irish charities. I would like to commend both Cork Airport, the first airport/transport hub in the country to pilot reverse vending machines on-site, and Re-turn, for their initiative in installing the machines. Since its introduction in February, the Deposit Return Scheme has proved to be a great success with over 700 million drinks containers returned to date.”

Kerry McLaverty, Spokesperson for Return for Children

 said:

“Cork Airport’s commitment to sustainability and community support is inspiring. By placing your empty bottle or cans in one of the Re-turn machines, every passenger has the chance to make a difference. This initiative allows commuters to directly support vital children’s services across Ireland, offering much-needed resources to charities that assist vulnerable children and children with serious illnesses. We’re grateful to Cork Airport for leading the way in making meaningful change possible through everyday actions.”

To date, over €70,000 has been raised for the six charities encompassing Return for Children. 470,000 containers have been donated via designated Re-turn donation bins at participating events including Electric Picnic, the Bord Bia Bloom Festival, Taste of Dublin, and the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at the Aviva Stadium.

Over 700 million containers have been returned to be recycled through Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme since it launched in February 2024. As a circular economy initiative, Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme aims to move away from the ‘take, make and dispose’ culture to one of returning valuable materials and keeping them in the economy for as long as possible. Through the Deposit Return Scheme, aluminium cans can be recycled infinitely while PET plastic bottles can be recycled multiple times, reducing the need for virgin materials.

Businesses or organisations interested in fundraising for charity through the Deposit Return Scheme can contact Re-turn at [email protected].