Electric Picnic to feature re-turn deposit bins with charitable options

This years Electric Picnic will feature the new re-turn donation bins for plastic bottles and cans, and gives Picnickers the option to donate their returned deposits to children's charities.

Organisers are encouraging festival goers to take part in this new 'Return for Children' charity initiative.

The initiative supports six national children's charities; Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack & Jill, LaraLynn Children's Hospice, and Make-A-Wish Ireland. 

This initiative represents over 165,000 children who avail of services from these charities, for reasons of poverty, abuse, neglect and bereavement, and also children whose lives are affected by serious childhood illness, in some cases life-limiting.

Designated Re-turn donation bins located throughout the Electric Picnic site and a Deposit Return facility will give attendees the option to return their plastic bottles and cans for a voucher, or to donate their drinks container deposits to the charity initiative.

If attendees prefer to get their plastic bottle and can deposits back, there will be a number of Reverse Vending Machines located near the bar areas of the arena grounds where attendees can receive their vouchers.

“We are delighted to be a part of the Electric Picnic experience this year and work with Live Nation in offering attendees the option to donate to our very worthy charity initiative Return for Children," said CEO of Re-turn, Ciaran Foley.

“Our Re-turn donation bins and Deposit Return Points give attendees an easy and convenient way to donate or return their empty cans and plastic bottles. The separate disposal of these drinks containers means not only are festival goers recycling optimally but they can also benefit six incredible children’s charities if they wish.

“Re-turn will also have a designated stand in the Electric Picnic arena area, providing visitors with the opportunity to chat with the team and learn about the Deposit Return Scheme’s benefits and positive impact on energy, water, landfill, and CO2 savings," he finished.

To help keep the Stradbally festival litter free on August 16-18, Re-turn has prepared a helpful list of dos and don’ts:

• Designated area: Do set up a designated Re-turn area at your campsite to keep plastic bottles and cans separated from other rubbish.
• Shake it out: Do shake out empty plastic bottles and cans to remove any remaining liquids. This will reduce the potential of build-up in your designated Re-turn area or bin.
• You can leave the cap on: Do leave caps on plastic bottles. Plastic bottles can be returned with or without their caps, but Re-turn encourages festival goers to leave them on as they can also be recycled.
• No crushing: Don’t crush or squash your cans or plastic bottles. RVMs and Manual Return Points need to be able to read the drinks container barcode and Re-turn symbol.
• Don’t bin it: Don’t discard your drinks containers in other bins at the festival. You lose your deposit and waste valuable resources. PET plastics and aluminium can be recycled multiple times to make new plastic bottles and cans, reducing the need for virgin materials.