Minister Dillon launches national re-turn awards in Ballinrobe

Minister of State for Small Business Retail and Circular Economy Alan Dillon TD today officially launched the inaugural National Re turn Awards at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Ballinrobe, marking a major new national initiative to celebrate primary schools, colleges and universities that are “Re turning it Right” through Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

The new awards programme, developed by Re turn, the operator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, aims to shine a spotlight on the growing number of schools and students using the scheme to support environmental action, reduce litter, improve recycling habits, and raise funds for projects that matter in their local communities.

The awards are open to two entry streams, Primary Schools and Colleges and Universities, with significant prize funds available to support winning projects.

Through the National Re-turn Awards, Re-turn aims to recognise and champion the growing role that schools and students are playing in reducing litter, improving recycling habits, while also fundraising through the Deposit Return Scheme for practical projects such as school supplies, sports equipment, football pitches and improved learning spaces that matter locally.

Entries are now open and can be made by completing a short online form on the Re-turn website here, sharing how they are using the Deposit Return Scheme to raise funds, support environmental learning, or make a positive impact in their local community. Entries are now open and will close at 5 p.m., on Monday, April 27, 2026.

Re-turn is calling on primary schools across the Republic of Ireland to enter the awards by sharing their Re-turn story – whether they are collecting plastic bottles and cans to raising funds for school supplies and learning resources, to improving facilities like playgrounds or astro-turf pitches, while also bringing their whole school community together around positive environmental action.

Prizes for primary schools include a National Champion Award of €5,000, along with 15 additional awards of €1,000, which will be presented at a special awards event later in the year. Award funding can be used at the school's discretion. Entries from primary schools will be judged with focus on creativity, effort and the positive impact of each entry, ensuring that schools of all sizes have an equal chance to be recognised.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st (€5,000), 2nd (€2,000) and 3rd (€1,000) place, as well as 11 category awards of €700. The awards will recognise innovation and inventiveness, rewarding initiatives that help create meaningful change.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Alan Dillon TD said: “Primary school pupils, along with their teachers and parents, and third level students across Ireland are playing a hugely important role in helping communities recycle more and litter less. Through initiatives like the Deposit Return Scheme, students are learning first-hand about sustainability, responsibility and environmental stewardship. It’s fantastic to see Re-turn recognising this effort and encouraging even more schools to get involved.

I want to thank Principal Dympna Culhane, the staff and students of St. Joseph’s in Ballinrobe for assisting me in the launch.”

Commenting on the initiative, Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn said: “Since the Deposit Return Scheme was launched in February 2024, over 4,600 community initiatives across Ireland have used it to channel deposits into meaningful support for everything from sports clubs and school projects to tidy towns groups and voluntary rescue services. Thanks to the infrastructure now in place, over 2,800 reverse vending machines and hundreds of manual return points, it’s easier than ever to turn everyday recycling into real, local impact. We now want to recognise primary school students and third-level initiatives through our Re-turn awards launched today.”