Business owner donates DRS bottles and cans to Mullingar Tidy Towns

A local food business owner is donating all of the plastic bottles and aluminium cans left behind by customers to Mullingar Tidy Towns and he is encouraging others to follow suit.

Since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in February, consumers pay a 15 or 25c deposit everytime they buy a drink in a can or plastic bottle, which can recouped when they return the container.

Eoghan Murray, proprietor of Apache Pizza and Pita Pit, noticed that despite the additional cost now placed on every can and bottle, many people still leave their containers behind. He estimates that between his two popular food outlets in Blackhall staff collect around four bags of bottles and cans with the return logo on them each week.

Instead of pocketing the money, which amounts to between €50 to €60 a week, Eoghan decided to contact Mullingar Tidy Towns to see if they wanted the cans and bottles. Unsurprisingly, the committee gratefully accepted his offer.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Eoghan said that he is delighted to be able to support an organisation “that does so much for the town of Mullingar”.

“We are seeing that many people aren't going to bring their cans from here to the cinema and then home. We thought why not get Tidy Towns involved?

“We are looking to get other people and businesses who are supportive of Tidy Towns to get involved too. It is very easy to do.

“The lads from Mullingar Tidy Towns do such a great job. They don't get enough recognition. We are happy to support them.”

John Bawle from Mullingar Tidy Towns says that they are very thankful to Eoghan for his support.

“It's amazing. It hits all the targets for us. The cans are being returned and we are benefiting from the income generated. Our group will use this money to buy more plants, buy new litter pickers, we can just do so much. It may seem small to someone, 15 or 25c, but when you add it up there's around €12 or €15 a bag and there will be around four bags a week.

“We come round every week and collect the bags from Apache and Pita Pit and then we put the cans in the machine. It is huge for us. Fair play to Eoghan.”

He added that Tidy Towns would be happy to join forces with other community groups if they wanted to get involved. He also said that Tidy Towns would love to see other businesses participate.

“If more businesses wanted to get involved, we could collect the bags of cans and bottles from them.

“We also are happy to get other community groups involved. If they have an event coming up or they are struggling a bit and could do with some funds, they could get involved too.

“It doesn't have to be all for Tidy Towns. It could be for everyone in Mullingar. We are here to help. It's about everyone working together.”

It may have received a mixed response from the public when it was introduced in February, but John says that the town has been noticeably cleaner in recent months.

“The streets are much cleaner. The canal is much cleaner. It is catching on. It is slow, but it is working.”