Supervalu and Centra install numerous reverse vending machines across Mayo

28 Reverse Vending Machines have been installed in 24 Supervalu and Centra stores across Mayo.

Managing Director of SuperValu and Centra, Ian Allen, said that they are ‘delighted to roll out the DRS schemes across their stores’ as part of their strategy to build more sustainable communities and help protect the planet.

The amount of machines and their locations ensures that customers in both large and small communities across the county can make their returns easily.

The nine Supervalu stores across Mayo who have had the Reverse Vending Machines installed include Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, Dunmanway, Ballina, Kiltmagh, Castlebar, Claremorris, Westport and Achill.

Machines have also been installed in 15 Centra stores across Newport, Westport, Balla, Kilmaine, Claremorris, Foxford, Knock, Belmullet, Ballindine, Killala, Bangor Erris, Bangor Erris, Castlebar, Crossmolina and Moygownagh.

Mr Allen said actions like this ‘show the commitment to reducing our overall climate impact and growing sustainably every day’.

The machines have been introduced under Ireland’s ‘Deposit Return Scheme’ to help limit waste and protect the environment for future generations. 

When a customer buys a drink in a plastic, aluminium or steel bottle from 150ml – 3 litres, featuring the Re-turn logo, you pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink.

The deposit is 15c for containers sized 150ml-500ml and 25c for containers of 500mls-3 litres.

When you return your empty and undamaged drink container to your nearest reverse vending machine, you get your deposit back in full in the form of a voucher.

The customer can either go to a checkout, then or at a later date, and use the voucher against their shop at the store; or alternatively they can go to a manned till to exchange their voucher for cash.

All machines will guide the customer on a step-by-step process to help them reclaim their deposit.

Mr Allen said: “By investing €28m in the installation of over 600 Reverse Vending Machines in every county in Ireland, we hope to make returns as convenient as possible for everyone”. 

"We and our retailers understand the important role we play in supporting communities and ensuring that we make the implementation of the DRS scheme as easy and convenient as possible for our customers,” he concluded.