Winnie Kirwan (teacher), Connor Rogers, Will Hanley (Supervalu), Jamie Matthews, Anthony Duffy (SDCP), and Maura Murphy (teacher)
Collinstown Park Community College in Clondalkin will have their own deposit return scheme bins, as part of their ongoing engagement with sustainability.
A recipient of the “Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti awareness initiatives” grant from South Dublin County Council, the school was exploring ways to go beyond litter-picking and clearing walls.
“It just coincided with the launch of Deposit Return Scheme,” explained geography teacher at Collinstown Park, Maura Murphy.
“During the litter-picking sessions organised by my transition-year class, we noticed that most of what we collected was empty bottles and cans, and the ones we didn’t collect were thrown in the general waste bin anyway.”
William Hanley from the local Rowlagh SuperValu visited the school to present the Deposit Return Scheme before its launch in February 2024, sparking the idea of having return bins within the school to tackle the bottles and cans issue.
Deposit return bins have been purchased by the school in collaboration with SuperValu and through the SDCC grant.
They were installed in the school last Tuesday, September 10.
According to the Scheme, most plastic, aluminium or steel drink containers between 150ml and 3 litres can be recycled for deposit return, if they have a Re-turn logo on them.
The containers should be empty, undamaged and in their original shape, with their bottle cap attached. Containers up to 500ml have a 15c deposit, while the ones up to 3 litres have a 25c deposit.
Seven blue recycling bins were also purchased by Collinstown Park for the disposal of recyclable bottles – one for every year group – with money donated by Hanley.
“We already see a huge difference in students’ awareness,” said Maura, “and a significant reduction of this form of litter in the school environment. The initiative was a fantastic success.”
According to her, having those bins within the school makes young people more aware of the importance of recycling, and makes it become natural for them.
While with the SDCC grant, she saw an opportunity to “engage young people in environmental stewardship”, in the purchase of the bins she saw a way to make it practical and day-to-day habit.
Revenue from recycling and returning bottles will be used for school events and activities, for example buying treats and prizes if the money is converted into SuperValu vouchers.
“It shows what you can do when you join forces,” said Maura, “With sustainability we’re all part of a bigger thing.”
