Cork Airport has become the first airport in Ireland to introduce Deposit Return vending machines, with all funds raised going to a number of charities.
Two charity reverse vending machines (RVMs) and two standard RVMs give passengers the choice of either donating their deposits or cashing them in at airport's cafés, bars or food court.
All funds raised from the charity RVMs found both landslide and airside, will go to the 'Return for Children’ initiative to support six of Ireland’s largest children’s charities, including Barnardos, Childline and Make-A-Wish Ireland.
CEO of Re-turn Ciaran Foley said every bottle or can recycled through the charity machines "contributes directly to making a difference in the lives of children in need".
Cork Airport Managing Director Niall MacCarthy said the airport is committed to playing its part in ensuring a sustainable future for Irish aviation.
"Recycling plastic bottles and aluminium cans is a must-have, and we are proud to be the first transport hub in Ireland to pilot this scheme.
"We’re delighted to have the best energy reduction of all Irish airports and commercial semi-state bodies in the last two years and we have an ambitious and progressive sustainability plan," he said.
Over 700 million containers have been returned to be recycled through Ireland's Deposit Return Scheme since it launched in February 2024.
