SuperValu and Centra are marking the first 12 months of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) with the announcement that 210 million containers have been returned through their stores.
That is the equivalent of 42 containers per Irish citizen returned to the retailers’ more than 550 stores nationwide.
SuperValu and Centra – both owned by Musgrave – have installed reverse vending machines (RVMs) in their stores, empowering communities across Ireland to conveniently make returns and move towards sustainable shopping habits.
The Dublin, Cork, Meath, Galway and Kildare stores have received the highest number of returns to RVMs across the SuperValu and Centra store network.
The DRS is a circular-economy initiative that came into effect on 1 February 2024 and sees a deposit added to drinks containers that can be redeemed when the containers are returned.
Implemented by Re-turn, the initiative has seen over 900 million containers returned nationwide, either through RVMs or at checkout points.
SuperValu and Centra invested €28 million in RVMs in their store networks nationwide last year.
‘A Testament To Our Customers’
Speaking about adoption of the scheme, the managing director of SuperValu and Centra, Luke Hanlon, said, “We are pleased that, as a community retailer with the largest offering of RVMs across every county in Ireland, […] SuperValu and Centra have enabled the equivalent of every citizen in Ireland being able to make a positive recycling impact.
“Over the course of the last 12 months, a remarkable 210 million containers have been returned via our RVMs, which has led to a reduction in litter locally and enabled Ireland’s transition to a circular economy.
“This milestone is a testament to our customers, who have made recycling containers a natural part of their grocery shopping routine – they see the benefits to them and the planet, and have been supportive of the initiative.
“I would also like to thank our network of dedicated retailers, who, through investment and innovation, have enabled a broader shift to sustainability.
“This is in line with our ‘Local Action Global Impact’ initiative, showing that small, community-based efforts can contribute to the broader fight against environmental challenges.”
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