Calling all students across the country! The Re-turn Awards are back and they’re bigger than ever!
Schools and third-level communities across Ireland are being called on to get Re-turning, get creative and transform everyday cans and bottles into something bigger as entries open for the Re-turn Awards 2027.
Launched by content creator and former primary school teacher Kayleigh Trappe, the Awards celebrate the creative ways schools, students, staff and campus communities are using Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme to make a difference – from improving recycling to turning deposit refunds into support for projects, initiatives and causes that matter to them.
Now in their second year, the Awards are expanding to include post-primary schools for the first time, alongside primary schools and third-level communities across Ireland.
One primary school and one post-primary school will each take home €5,000, while a further 10 schools will receive €1,000 each. At third-level, entrants will compete for Gold (€5,000), Silver (€2,000) and Bronze (€1,000), alongside 11 category awards of €650 and a new Applied Learning Award.
Primary school entries can be submitted here, while post-primary school entries can be submitted here with entries closing for both on Friday, 12 February 2027. Third-level entries can be submitted here and close on Tuesday, 23 February 2027. All winners will be celebrated at a ceremony in Croke Park on 13 April 2027.
Almost 400 entries were submitted last year, showcasing how schools and third-level communities used the Deposit Return Scheme to support sustainability, fundraising and school initiatives.
This year, post-primary students can bring their own ideas and energy to the programme through TY, CSPE, Student Councils, Green Committees, subject departments, year groups or other school teams. Initiatives can be led by students, staff or school groups, with participants encouraged to take ownership of everything from planning and awareness-building to collections and fundraising.
Entries will be judged on more than the number of cans and bottles collected. Judges will consider leadership, learning, creativity, engagement and the overall impact of each initiative, while also taking the size and circumstances of each entry into account.
Launching the second annual Re-turn Awards, Dermot Mulligan, Chief Marketing Officer at Re-turn, said:
“We were absolutely blown away by the response to the Re-turn Awards last year. Schools and campuses across the country really got behind it, coming up with brilliant ways to use their Re-turns to raise funds, support their communities and get more people thinking about recycling.
“This year, we want to get even more young people involved, so we’re really excited to welcome post-primary schools for the first time. It gives students a chance to take the lead, come up with their own ideas and show what they can achieve together.
“And it’s important to say that this isn’t just about who collects the most cans and bottles. We want to hear the story behind each entry. We want to know what students did, what they learned, how they got others involved and the difference it made in their school, campus or community. We saw some fantastic ideas last year and we can’t wait to see what comes through this time.”
Commenting on the launch, Re-turn Awards Ambassador Kayleigh Trappe said:
“I’m thrilled to be part of the second Re-turn Awards and to celebrate the positive impact school and third-level communities can make through the Deposit Return Scheme.
“The Awards are a brilliant opportunity to recognise students’ creativity, as well as the environmental and community impact that can come from everyday Re-turns. I’d encourage primary, post-primary and third-level communities across Ireland to get involved and show how they are using the Scheme to support projects and causes they care about.”
Primary and Post-Primary Schools
The Re-turn Awards are open to all primary and post-primary schools in the Republic of Ireland.
Judging takes school size into account, giving every school an equal chance.
There is no one-size-fits-all way to Re-turn it Right! Schools can join the programme in any creative way they like; through themed days, class challenges, community collections, or simple daily habits, and then share their story for a chance to win prizes.
Third Level
The Re-turn Awards are open to all third-level initiatives across the Republic of Ireland. From Students’ Unions, societies and clubs to faculties, staff groups and wider campus teams, if you’re using the Deposit Return Scheme to fundraise, support a cause, drive sustainability on campus or encourage better recycling habits, it’s time to get recognised by Re-turn.
It’s not just about how many plastic cans and bottles are Re-turned – it’s about the difference they make. We are looking for inspiring stories of ingenuity, leadership, creativity and behaviour change among unions, societies, clubs, faculties & campuses.
The judges will take scale and context into account, recognising and celebrating initiatives no matter how big or small.
DRSI CLG, trading as Re-turn, is a company limited by guarantee and was established by beverage producers and retailers in order to fulfil their obligations under the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2024.
The Scheme brings together all parties involved in the manufacture, selling and consumption of beverages and has proved successful internationally in increasing collection rates.