From the Galway City Tribune – Galway’s first ‘reverse vending machines’ – which reward the public for recycling plastic bottles and aluminium cans – are set to open in Doughiska.

German supermarket giant Lidl has sought planning permission to roll out the money-back machines under a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) which was first introduced in a Dun Laoghaire branch last year.

The company wants to make changes to the Doughiska store – including the demolition of the existing entrance pod and removal of the shopping trolley bay – to make way for a DRS room with five vending machines.

The machines will accept plastic drinks bottles and cans – for each one deposited, custoemrs will receive a 10c voucher for spending in Lidl, up to a maximum voucher limit of €2.

According to the retailer, each machine can collect and process up to 17,000 units each week – this will equate to 1,500 tonnes per year when the system is rolled out at all 170 stores in Ireland.

City Council planners are due to make a decision on the planning application – which also includes the construction of a new standalone sheltered bay for shopping trolleys and the relocation of a number of ‘blue badge’ parking spaces – shortly before Christmas.

This article first appeared in the print edition of the Galway City Tribune. You can support our journalism by subscribing to the Galway City Tribune HERE. A one-year digital subscriotion costs just €89.00. The print edition is in shops every Friday.