News
Deposit Return Scheme welcomed in Killarney
The new deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans will be a ‘game changer’ for recycling as several local stores signed up to the scheme.
The Deposit Return Scheme came into effect on February 1 and has been welcomed by local Green Party members.
The new, nationwide money-back scheme for plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans was rolled out on Thursday this week. The scheme incentivises people to return used drinks containers so that they can be successfully recycled into new containers.
Diarmaid Griffin has been nominated to run in the local elections this summer by the Green Party.
He said: “Along with the successful Killarney Coffee Cup Project, this initiative paves the way for cleaner streets, parks, and waterways. This scheme is a game changer for recycling and is set to reduce the number of plastic bottles and aluminium cans that go to landfill, and into our natural environment.”
Meanwhile several local SuperValu and Centra stores have signed up for the scheme and will provide bottle banks where recyclable materials can be exchanged for cash.
These include Daly’s SuperValu on the Park Road, and the Centra Stores on Muckross Road and at the The Reeks at the Cleeney Roundabout.
“As part of our strategy to build more sustainable communities and play our part in protecting the planet, we are delighted to roll out the DRS scheme across our SuperValu and Centra stores in Kerry. By investing €28m in the installation of over 600 Reverse Vending Machines in every county in Ireland we hope to make returns as convenient as possible for everyone,” said Ian Allen, Managing Director SuperValu and Centra.
From February 1 , when you buy a drink in a plastic bottle or aluminium can with the Re-turn logo, you will pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink. When you return your empty, undamaged drinks container to any participating retail outlet, you get your deposit back in full. A deposit of 15 cents will apply to containers from 150ml to 500mls, while a deposit of 25 cents will apply to containers between 500ml and 3 litres.
Killarney resident Alexandra Mae Gemeniano has been announced as an official finalist for Miss Universe Ireland 2026.
The announcement was made at the national competition’s summer launch party, which took place last week at Bewley’s Café Theatre on Grafton Street in Dublin.
Alexandra (43) is originally from the Philippines and moved to Ireland with her family when she was 17. She became an Irish citizen in 2011. After living and working in the UK for 14 years, she returned to Killarney to be closer to her family and currently works in the beauty industry.
The launch event marked the official start of the selection process to find Ireland’s representative for the global Miss Universe competition. The current title holder is 19-year-old Aadya Srivastava from Galway.
The national final is scheduled to take place on Saturday 20th June at the Bonnington Hotel in Dublin. The winner will represent Ireland at the 75th annual Miss Universe global final, where the reigning Miss Universe, Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, will crown her successor.
Three Killarney businesswomen were among the top winners at the 10th anniversary Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards, held at The Rose Hotel, Tralee, on Friday, June 5.
Carina Audley, founder of Killarney-based event styling firm The Event Edit, was named Kerry Business Woman for Services. The award recognizes her work growing the business from a personal concept into a highly successful premium event styling and mobile childcare provider working with leading venues across the county.
There was double celebration for Killarney sisters Hayley and Terrie Murphy.
Legacy Elite Cheerleaders coach Hayley Murphy won the Champion of Diversity and Inclusion award, capping off a hectic week where her athletes secured multiple solo, stunt, and team podium finishes at the Summer Flip Out Championships in Galway. Her sister, Terrie Murphy of Sorella Berries, claimed the Food Generation/Manufacture award.
Alexandra Mae Gemeniano announced as Miss Universe Ireland finalist
Killarney resident Alexandra Mae Gemeniano has been announced as an official finalist for Miss Universe Ireland 2026. The announcement was...
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