Scouts turn waste into €2,000 win

Empty bottles and cans have delivered a big win for Ballinora Scout Group.

The Cork club has scooped a €2,000 prize and a starring role in a local ad campaign after being named one of five winners in Re-turn’s Small Town, Big Difference competition.

The scouts were chosen from more than 340 entries nationwide. Their clever use of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) – where people collect and recycle bottles and cans – has raised much-needed funds for new tents to support the growing group.

As part of their prize, Ballinora Scouts will feature on bus stops, billboards and local radio across Cork until 7 September. The aim is to show how small actions, like returning a plastic bottle, can have a big impact for local clubs.

Re-turn, which runs Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, launched the campaign to highlight inspiring community stories. Entries poured in from sports clubs, tidy towns committees, youth groups and charities, all showing how deposit donations are funding vital projects.

Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, said: “Ballinora Scout Group shows how the scheme goes beyond recycling. Every returned bottle helps fund projects that bring people together and strengthen communities.”

Judges, including broadcaster Jennifer Zamparelli and online favourites Tadhg and Derry Fleming, picked the five winners from ten finalists. The Ballinora Scouts impressed with their mix of fundraising and community spirit, rallying locals to turn empties into opportunity.

Over the past year, more than 3,400 community groups across Ireland have raised money through the DRS. Each donated deposit means one less container in landfill – and a boost for local projects.

For more details or to see which groups near you are fundraising through bottle and can collections, visit Re-turn’s Community Initiative Map at re-turn.ie