Primary schools across Ireland have been recognised for going ‘above and beyond’ with innovative recycling projects at the inaugural Re-turn Awards.
More than 300 schools entered the awards, which celebrate creative, sustainable and community-driven use of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
At a special awards ceremony hosted by Today FM presenter Ian Dempsey at Croke Park, a total of 16 schools were recognised for recycling projects supporting sustainability, fundraising and positive change within their communities.
Monster Bin
Pelletstown Educate Together National School in Dublin took home the top prize of €5,000 for its imaginative “Monster Bin’ initiative.
Pupils at the school took a whole-community approach to the project, involving teachers, parents, local businesses and the wider community in their efforts to make recycling part of everyday life.
Through posters, classroom visits and a ‘Junior Re-turn Committee,’ the project helped raise funds for a sensory pod, garden projects, graduation activities and wider school celebrations – while also encouraging long-term positive recycling habits.
Memorial garden
Meanwhile, a special Judges’ Commendation Award was presented to St. Malachy’s Boys National School in Dublin, whose Re-turn campaign helped create a memorial garden for fellow pupil Joshua, who passed away earlier this year.
Pupils, families, local businesses, the local GAA club and the wider community came together to support the initiative, highlighting the powerful difference community action can make through the Deposit Return Scheme.
“Meaningful change”
Re-turn CEO Ciarán Foley said the schools across the country that took part in the awards proved that “small everyday actions can create meaningful change”.
“Schools have shown how the Scheme can support sustainability education, while also helping to raise funds for important projects and initiatives,” he said.
“The creativity, teamwork and enthusiasm shown by students, teachers and wider school communities has been incredibly inspiring.
“While all of the finalists demonstrated originality and commitment, Pelletstown Educate Together National School stood out for the impact, inclusivity and long-term benefits of their initiative.”
“Incredible passion”
Former Irish rugby international Donncha O’Callaghan, who attended the awards as a special guest, said it was fantastic to see schools across Ireland embrace the Deposit Return Scheme in “such a creative and positive way”.
“Both students and teachers have shown incredible passion, community spirit and leadership, not just helping the environment, but also raising funds for projects and initiatives that make a real difference in their school and communities,” he said.
The awards were open to primary schools across the Republic of Ireland.
Taking school size and context into account, judges looked for entries demonstrating creativity, teamwork, fundraising success, sustainability awareness and strong community involvement.
Full list of Re-turn Award Winners
- Overall Re-turn Award Winner: Pelletstown Educate Together National School, Dublin
- Judges’ Commendation Award: St. Malachy’s BNS, Dublin
- Re-turn Local Legends Award (Large School): Scoil Angela, Ursuline Primary School, Tipperary
- Re-turn Local Legends Award (Medium School): St. Joseph’s National School, Cork
- Re-turn Local Legends Award (Small School): Kilmore Central National School, Cavan
- Re-turn Student Achievement Award: St Aengus National School, Donegal
- Re-turn Heroes Award: Kildorrery National School, Cork
- Re-turn Leadership Award: Mary Queen of Angels, Dublin
- Re-turn Creativity Award: Nagle-Rice Primary School, Kerry
- Re-turn Ingenuity Award: St Patrick’s National School Greystones, Wicklow
- Re-turn Awareness Campaign Award: Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Limerick
- Re-turn Fundraising Award: Loreto Primary School, Dalkey, Dublin
- Re-turn Teamwork Award: St. Anne’s and St. Joseph’s Primary Schools, Rathkeale, Limerick
- Re-turn Social Impact Award: Libermann Spiritan School, Dublin
- Most Returned Award: St. John’s Special School, Waterford
- Re-turn Sustainability Education Award: Queen of Angels Primary School, Dublin
