Huge Appetite and Effort in the North East to Recycle Plastic Bottles
People have travelled from all over the North East to recycle their plastic bottles. In an on the spot survey at the Plastic bottle Reverse Vending machine , users stated they were travelling from Drogheda, Cavan, Clones & Monaghan to recycle. Users of the Reverse Vending Machine are making a very conscious effort to collect up bottles, wash them and then travel to Carrickmacross to recycle them.
Brian Finnegan of Shabra Plastics commenting on the machine, stated ‘because of the effort of people, the quality and cleanliness of the bottles being recycled Shabra can recycle 100% of the bottles from the Reverse Vending Machine’. Whereas, he stated, ‘normal green bin plastic recycling is around 65%’
Andrew Spare, whose idea it was to put in the Plastic bottle Reverse Vending machine, is delighted that not only are individual households making such an effort but that local schools are now getting involved. Inver College 2nd year students are in the regional final of the SEAI ‘One Good Idea’ competition with their submission highlighting the need for this type of machine in towns and villages throughout Ireland. Whilst Patrician High School Transition Year students have launched an in-school plastic bottle collection which has contributed considerably to the project. Their fundraising efforts will also help finance the new Linear Park project
‘In Ireland there is an estimated 220,000 plastic bottles used and disposed of every day’, stated Gerry Hand from Carrickmacross Town Towns. ‘So, as an organisation we recognise this is only a dip in the ocean of plastic. However, if the facilities are made available and people are encouraged, we can all make a difference.’
Carrickmacross Tidy Towns will be holding an information seminar on the process of getting the Plastic bottle Reverse Vending machine in place, costs and recommendations in March 2020. Check out our Facebook page for more information : www.facebook.com/carrickmacrosstidytowns
Picture by Pat Byrne.
