Vending some good vibes
UCC has unveiled a new state-of-the-art reverse vending machine (RVM) on the university campus.
The RVM is hoped to encourage increased levels of recycling amongst young people and students as part of the university’s plastic free campus initiative.
The RVM was provided by reverse vending solutions firm TOMRA Collection in partnership with the UCC Student’s Centre.
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 UCC’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 1 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% of which does not get properly recycled. As the country's deposit return scheme hit its seven-month milestone, 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, UCC Student’s Centre Events and Media Manager, Gráinne Thompson described it as another step forward in UCC’s green journey.
“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,” she said.
Founded in 1972, TOMRA was established to provide automated solutions for clean loop recycling. Today the company provides advanced collection and recycling solutions to over 60 different markets worldwide, collectively capturing over 46 billion used bottles every year.
Managing Director of TOMRA Collection Ireland, Peter Whelan said: “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.”
TOMRA’s RVM 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.