Bus Éireann is encouraging customers to return their plastic bottles and drinks cans to the newly-installed ‘reverse vending’ machine at Letterkenny bus station.
The machines assist in reducing single use plastics, while helping Ireland meet EU targets and promote a wider circular economy.
Ireland’s national bus company says it has fully committed to the forthcoming deposit return scheme by introducing its first ever reverse vending trial at Letterkenny and Busáras in Dublin.
There are also plans to extend the trial to other stations around the country.
Bus Éireann is one of the first transport operators in Ireland to introduce vending machines in their transport hubs.
There’s a charity element too – with €6,000 being donated to Grow Mental Health for the duration of the trial.
“We are very pleased that Letterkenny bus station is becoming one of the first transport hubs in Ireland to introduce reverse vending machines,” said Emer Bambrick, Senior Sustainability Manager, Bus Éireann.
Recycle Station – Bus Eireann – Letterkenny. Hugh Bonner, Jackie Herron and Kirean McShea. Photo -Clive Wasson
“We are extremely happy that our customers in Donegal can use the reverse vending machines to recycle their empty plastic bottles and cans while also giving back to such a good cause as Grow who do important work supporting people with mental health challenges right throughout the country. This is a great concept that makes recycling attractive to our customers, benefits the environment and gives back to society.”
Grow Mental Health Chief Executive Officer, Michèle Kerrigan, said they are delighted to benefit from Bus Éireann’s new recycling trial of reverse vending machines.
Grow is one of Ireland’s longest standing mental health charities, empowering and supporting over 1,000 people weekly.
Grow, which was set up in 1969, has recorded a 400% year on year increase in demand for services since the pandemic began.
The reverse vending machines are supplied by Irish company Sensi Ltd and are capable of collecting and storing between 200-400 items at a time, depending on the volume.
The cans and bottles are collected and recycled by Bus Éireann’s waste contractor.
Bus Éireann employs 80 people who live in County Donegal and carries over 9,500 students in Donegal on school transport each school day.
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