• 25 new bin surrounds installed across Carlow Town Centre
• Local rollout supports national Deposit Return Scheme and community-led sustainability efforts
Carlow County Council, in partnership with Re-turn—the administrator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme—has installed 25 new bin surrounds across Carlow Town Centre, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to sustainability and cleaner public spaces. The surrounds are now in place across 11 key streets including Burren Street, Hanover Park, and Tullow Street, making it easier for residents and visitors to recycle plastic bottles and cans while on the move.
This initiative is part of a national programme led by Re-turn, which has already seen successful rollouts in Dublin, Galway, and Dun Laoghaire. Carlow is among the first counties outside major urban centres to adopt the scheme, demonstrating the Council’s proactive approach to environmental leadership.
People “on the go” often place recyclables into public general waste bins. Aluminium, glass, and PET plastics are highly recyclable. When these materials are thrown away, we lose the chance to reuse them in new products—wasting energy and raw materials that went into their original production. Added to that is the financial loss as each eligible bottle or can discarded in general waste represents a missed refund—typically ranging from 10 to 20 cents per item. When multiplied across thousands of consumers, this adds up to millions in lost refunds annually. These funds could otherwise support local charities, schools, or community initiatives through donation partnerships.
These new bin surrounds give our community a chance to leave their empty cans or plastic bottles in a safe, visible spot—making it easier for others to collect them and reclaim the deposit
Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Cllr. Ken Murnane, welcomed the initiative, stating:
"We’re proud to bring this initiative to Carlow Town where community spirit runs strong. Sustainability starts at the local level, and the bin surround initiative is a great example of how small changes can lead to a big impact. By making recycling and return more visible and convenient, we are helping Carlow residents lead the way in protecting our shared environment."
Research conducted by Re-turn shows that containers placed on bin surrounds are collected within an average of 16 minutes, highlighting their effectiveness. A recent survey also revealed that 79% of the public support on-the-go recycling and would welcome similar schemes in their own communities.
Dermot Mulligan, Chief Marketing Officer of Re-turn, added:
"Re-turn is delighted to collaborate with Carlow County Council on this important on-the-go recycling initiative. We are committed to providing the public with convenient and visible recycling options, and the bin surrounds pilot scheme is already proving its value. We encourage the people of Carlow to make use of the bin surrounds and play their part in recycling plastic bottles and cans. Together, we can strengthen the circular economy and create a cleaner, more sustainable environment for our community."
This phase of the programme is co-funded by Re-turn and participating local authorities, including Carlow County Council, working together to deliver practical solutions that support cleaner streets, stronger recycling habits, and a reduction in environmental pollution.