COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 14, 2008

QUESTION NO. 2

QUESTION: Councillor M. Corr

To ask the Manager to provide reward-scheme/token-producing recycling banks in all RAPID neighbourhoods in order to incentivise people towards pro-social behaviour in terms of litter and recycling?

REPLY:

A Reverse Vending Machine has been installed in Killinarden Community Centre on a pilot basis.  Token are awarded for each aluminium can or plastic bottle which is deposited into the machine.  It has been very successful and has made a marked difference on the amount of can / plastic bottle litter around the general area.  Indeed in the first month 30,000 cans were deposited.  It is monitored and managed by the Community Centre who empty the machine each time it is filled and this would be a requirement in the installation of any further reverse vending machines.  There is a cost involved and these costs, sustained recycling statistics, impact on litter and other relevant information will be analysed in conjunction with the suppliers of the materials to ensure that the roll-out of any such scheme can be managed and provide the type of incentive requested.