Claremorris pub's 'Re-Turns' raise money for life saving equipment

A Mayo pub has managed to raise over €1,000 to install a defibrillator outside their premises by recycling cans and plastic bottles in the Deposit Return Scheme.

Well-known Claremorris establishment, Gilligan's Bar located on The Square are teaming up with the Claremorris South First Responders Group to donate all money collected through the Deposit Return Scheme over the next year to the group.

In July, Lorraine Dolan, Manager of Gilligan's decided to save up all their cans and bottles and bring them to the local Re-Turn vending machine and use the extra cash to install a defibrillator outside the pub.

In two months, they have raised over €1,000 which allowed them to purchase an AED defibrillator which they hope to install outside the pub in the coming weeks.

Lorraine told The Mayo News that before this they disposed of all their cans and bottles through their refuse collection and the idea of collecting cans and bottles came about after a conversation with a customer in the bar.

“I was talking to a guy in the bar who asked me what we do with our cans since the return scheme came in. I said to be honest they are still going into bags and being taken away as waste and he said you are throwing away money there,” she explained.

“After another conversation we said if we put all that money from the cans and bottles we could put a defib outside the pub and that is how it started. Through working with the first responders group we decided that all the money raised over the next year will go towards them for their training or equipment they needed. We will try it for the next year and see how it goes,” she explained.

The Deposit Return Scheme was introduced on February 1 last whereby consumers pay a deposit for every plastic bottle or can they buy and get it back after bringing them to the Re-Turn vending machine. A deposit of 15c will apply to containers from 150ml to 500ml inclusive and a deposit of 25c for containers over 500mls to three litres inclusive.

Lorraine explained that she kept all her empty cans and bottles in a store room and every Monday she would bring them to the local Re-Turn vending machine. She admitted that she was surprised how much money she got from returning them and would encourage sporting and other groups to use the scheme to raise money.

“We had a lot of people dropping in a lot of their receipts and the pub next door, Warde's, came on board as did a local restaurant, The Lighthouse, so there was a good bit of help. You are averaging around €100 a week which we would be throwing away. It is good to see something positive from it instead of throwing them away.

“I would encourage local groups to contact pubs or hotels because most are still throwing them away. If they work with them it may mean cash for your club,” she said.