The Norwegian global reverse vending machines (RVM) leader has partnered with UCC as part of the university’s plastic free campus initiative in an aim to encourage recycling amongst students and young people

Cork: Global reverse vending machines leader, TOMRA Collection, in partnership with Áras na Mac Léinn,  UCC’s Student Centre has today announced the successful rollout of a state-of-the-art RVM for the university campus. The latest initiative hopes to encourage increased levels of recycling amongst young people and university students. Founded in 1972, TOMRA was established to provide automated solutions for Clean Loop Recycling. Today TOMRA provides advanced collection and recycling solutions to over 60 different markets worldwide, collectively capturing over 46 billion used bottles every year. 

The first university in the world to be awarded a Green Flag from the Foundation for Environmental Education and the first campus in Ireland to declare themselves free of single-use plastics and cups, UCC has had a long history of sustainable practices and environmental activism. The university’s Plastic Free initiative was launched over two years ago and officially implemented in January 2023. Since then, the university has eliminated all single-use plastics from shops, vending machines, and on-campus dining facilities. This effort is part of the university’s broader strategy to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly campus. Looking to continue this tradition of sustainability, the campus has partnered with TOMRA in order to encourage student participation with Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme. 

As of 1st of February 2024, Irish retailers have introduced recycling points as part of Ireland’s new deposit return scheme to curb the volume of plastic waste sent to landfill. According to a 2023 report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ireland produces over 1.2 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, 72 percent of which does not get properly recycled. As the country’s Deposit return scheme hit its six-month milestone at the start of the month, there has been a dramatic increase in consumer engagement. The latest figures from Re-turn highlight the growing popularity of the scheme with over 90 million drinks containers returned in the month of June compared to only 2 million in February.

Commenting on the university’s participation in the scheme, Áras na Mac Léinn Events and Media Manager, Gráinne Thompson said: 

“In another step forward on our Green Journey, we are delighted to have one of the first reverse vending machines operational at an Irish university. Our students and staff have already adapted by bringing their own cups and water bottles and we are certain that our RVM machine will contribute largely to eliminating plastics from our beautiful campus and local area”. 

Also commenting on the university rollout, Managing Director of TOMRA Collection Ireland, Peter Whelan said: 

“We are absolutely thrilled to see our machine popping up in UCC. It is vital that the deposit return scheme is made available and accessible to everyone. Having a TOMRAT70 Single reverse vending machine in UCC encourages a whole generation of students and university workers to do their part for the initiative and integrate recycling into their daily lives. We are delighted to be involved in this journey and hope that other universities are inspired by UCC’s example.” 

TOMRA’s RVM was installed last July 5th and is operational at Áras na Mac Léınn – Student Centre at the ground floor foyer in the heart of the UCC campus. The university has given students the option to donate their Re-turn tokens to Fáilte Cork, a Higher Education community Sponsorship Group set up to support incoming refugee students on the EU Passworld Project.