With the Government’s publication of regulations for the Deposit Return Scheme (19/11/21), Ireland has made a significant step forward from discussion to the legally binding. It will make a huge difference to our recycling rates of plastic bottles and cans in this country, to say nothing of the environmental benefits as these previously ubiquitous litter items are rebranded as money and who’s going to throw money away?
VOICE Ireland has been at the forefront of the push to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for a very long time and for a very simple reason – it is a straightforward and common sense approach to increase recycling rates and decrease littering rates. Concurrent with this, it also raises awareness about the importance of responsible resource use. VOICE Ireland’s Return for Change campaign has been struck by the near universal support for its introduction; it appears that everyone appreciates how useful and beneficial the scheme will be. At Youghal’s first Zero Waste festival on October 1st, we’ll see the model trailer as an example of how easy it will be to recycle our plastic and cans in the future.
Alongside this, and the family event on 1st, there’ll be demonstrations of ways to reduce waste – both by careful disposal and also by reusing creatively! These give cost savings as well as savings for our planet. Seapink Vintage will offer a ‘clothes swap’ stall – bring along a preloved item and swap it for a new look!
The festival is a fun event, as well as giving serious consideration to the needs of our planet going forward. Reducing plastic waste will benefit us all and VOICE Ireland will give a workshop on ways to do this. We’re encouraging you to bring your own reuse cup for your coffee and kitchen caddies will be available to help us with our composting!
All this happens alongside fun and games, with African Drumming, children’s sports activities and an exciting arts workshop! Everyone is welcome to come and join in the fun – bring your children, bring your friends – and let’s work together to save our purses and our planet!
For more information on VOICE, see www.voiceireland.org
For more information on the Network, visit www.youghalblueandgreennetwork.blogspot.com or email blueandgreennetwork@gmail.com
The Zero Waste Festival 2022 is supported by SECAD, Cork County Council Environmental Department, Youghal Residents Network, Cumann na Daoine, Youghhal GAA and VOICE Ireland.
