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 children’s charities: Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack & Jill, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice and Make-A-Wish Ireland.
This development is said to make Cork Airport the first airport and the first transport hub in Ireland to pilot RVMs. At the end of the pilot programme, Cork Airport will review the level of recycling and make improvements and changes as necessary.
Deposits with a difference
Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, said: “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, added: “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.”
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