A Dublin #CircleCity campaign is set to expand an on-the-go recycling initiative.
Details
A statement announcing the news said, "The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland, and the Minister of State for the Circular Economy Ossian Smyth TD joined environmental charity Hubbub who are supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation today to announce the expansion of the Dublin #CircleCity campaign, the on-street recycling initiative in Dublin's city centre.
"The Dublin #CircleCity campaign was first launched in October 2020 with the aim of building a culture of on-the-go recycling. 25 brightly coloured recycling bins were installed on Grafton Street and Henry Street during the first phase of the campaign.
"Dublin #CircleCity campaign is being delivered through a collaboration between Dublin City Council and environmental charity Hubbub and has been made possible through funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation.
"Audits carried out on the performance of the first phase of the campaign have so far reported positive results. The most recent audit found that 83% of plastic bottles and cans in the areas covered by the recycling initiative are now ending up in the recycling bins, as opposed to the general waste. The overall quantity of plastic bottles and cans being recycled through the new bins has more than doubled since launch.
"To help achieve this, Dublin City Council’s waste management operations reviewed and changed work practices to allow different waste streams to be created and segregation to become possible. It is expected that 48,180 plastic bottles and 38,870 cans which would otherwise end up in landfill will be recycled each year.
"The second phase of the Dublin #CircleCity campaign being launched today will double the number of recycling bins installed along busy streets in Dublin city centre and their expansion into other areas including St. Andrew’s Street. The campaign will trial the use of 15 Big Belly bins in the Docklands area of the city - these smart-bins feature a solar-powered compactor allowing it to hold up five times the amount of material.
"Two reverse vending machines which make a charitable donation in return for plastic bottles and cans will also be installed on a pilot basis on the grounds of Trinity College Dublin and on the Airfield Estate in Dundrum, Co. Dublin to gain new insights into consumer recycling behaviours.
"Speaking today, Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland said, 'It's been great to see the positive response to the Dublin #CircleCity campaign from the public and the growing numbers recycling their cans and bottles in the city centre. The positive impact of this initiative can only grow with the launch of phase two today. My thanks to our partners Hubbub and The Coca-Cola Foundation in helping to make the campaign a success.'
"The Minister of State for the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth TD, said, 'I'm delighted to see the expansion of the Dublin #CircleCity recycling initiative which is helping to encourage people to recycle cans and plastic bottles as they are out and about in our capital city. Everyone has a role to play in our transition to a circular economy. Through the new on-the-go recycling facilities, we can extend the life of the products and ensure we reach our target of recycling 60% of our waste by 2030.'
"Welcoming the launch of phase two, Agnese Filippi, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, said, 'As the economy reopens, Coca-Cola remains committed to achieving our ambition of creating a World Without Waste. That requires us to focus on the entire packaging lifecycle - from how bottles and cans are designed and made, to how they're recycled and repurposed. Through Dublin’s #CircleCity initiative we want to help change consumer behaviour and encourage people to recycle on-the-go as they move around the city centre. The investment in the project by The Coca-Cola Foundation is helping us to do this and support Hubbub and Dublin City Council to double the reach and impact of this successful pilot project.'
"Gavin Ellis, Director and Co-Founder of Hubbub, said, 'We're thrilled to see the success of the initiative so far in Dublin city centre and we’re looking forward to working with our partners to double its reach. By making recycling easier, clearer and more desirable, Dublin #CircleCity is changing public attitudes to recycling, helping Ireland meet its circular economy targets.'"
Additional Information
The statement announcing the news added, "The Dublin #CircleCity campaign is being supported and delivered on-the-ground by local partners. Those include Voice Ireland, the local campaign partner; the RPS Group as an independent measurement and evaluation partner; and DublinTown, the city centre's main business improvement district.
"Details on Dublin #CircleCity campaign will be updated through the #CircleCity hashtag on Twitter & Instagram and the Dublin #CircleCity Facebook page."
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