Reverse vending machine debate recycled in chamber

Aiden Fitzpatrick’s ambition for the roll-out of reverse vending machines, that incentivise the public to process recycled plastics in exchange for credit, was brought back down to earth with a thud when told that the “financial model” for such a project in Ireland “might not be sustainable”.

“That might be the issue,” Director of Services, Paddy Connaughton, told the Fianna Fáil councillor, who was raising the subject for discussion for a third, if not possibly a fourth time, at a meeting of elected members.

His motion, which received support from within the chamber, and was seconded by Fine Gael’s Carmel Brady, asked that Cavan County Council write to the Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan, asking for an update in relation to the possible rollout of reverse vending machines nationally.

Cllr Fitzpatrick added to his motion by encouraging that “where possible”, that when future grocery or convenience stores are built, they include the installation of such a machine as part of the planning regulations.

Inspired by the advancements made by Monaghan County Council and also the Tidy Towns Committee in Carrickmacross, Cllr Fitzpatrick first raised the matter not long after his election to the council, and as far back as November 2019.

Designed to incentivise the public to stop littering and recycle plastics instead, the machine pays a 10c voucher per plastic bottle, which can then be redeemed in O’Gorman’s Supervalu, located just across the street from where the vending machine located in Carrickmacross.

Cllr Fitzpatrick noted that the last update in relation to such a scheme being introduced was back in 2020 when Minister Ryan boasted of rewarding shoppers who help prevent recyclable drink containers ending up in rubbish bins or as street litter.

A public consultation was due to commence at that time, which would ultimately decide the format of the rollout, but stated also that the introduction time was fixed- circa autumn 2022, albiet with agreement from retailers and recycling firms.

Against the proposal are waste companies, who claim the initiative would not increase recycling rates, and rather could collapse the existing green bin service being provided.

Irish Waste Management Association believe it would require at least 2,600 machines, costing an estimated €100m, to collect the same number of bottles and cans already collected by their member companies.

But Cllr Fitzpatrick told the meeting that given the potential benefit arising, he “cannot understand why we’re not doing more to make it happen.”

He said the scheme had been run effectively in the US, as was in operation when he was there in the 1990s, and said with store developments and redevelopments happening, it would be an important “opportunity” in order to kick-start the rollout, even on a small scale.

Cllr Brady said that the local Tidy Towns group in Cootehill, on a litter pick following the festival there, collected close to three and a half bags worth of recyclable material.

Winston Bennet (FG) said that the council had witnessed firsthand the advantages of such schemes on a recent visit to Wurzburg in Germany, while Sinn Féin’s Paddy McDonald suggested a reverse vending machine would be good to encourage young people to collect litter in their own areas.

Independent Cllr Brendan Fay again lauded the scheme and how it worked in America, and Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley reminded that there use to exist similar type initiatives.

Patrica Walsh (FF) remembered how, as a child, she and others in the community would collect jam jars in return for meagre reward, and Sean Smith (FF) also supported the motion.