In a standout moment for media Ireland coverage of sustainability and community action, Atlantic Technological University Sligo has emerged as the overall winner of the inaugural Re-turn Awards. The achievement underlines how a simple recycling idea can evolve into a major campus movement, combining environmental action, charity fundraising and student engagement in one powerful initiative.
Announced at Croke Park during an event hosted by Spin 1038 presenter Emma Nolan, the awards celebrated third-level groups across the country that have used Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme in creative and socially meaningful ways. For the Irish media and wider media industry Ireland, the story reflects a growing appetite for positive, impact-led campaigns that connect education with real community outcomes.
ATU Sligo leads the way in media Ireland sustainability stories
ATU Sligo secured the Gold Award and a €5,000 top prize for its Bottle and Can Return Initiative, led by lecturer Robert Craig. More than a recycling project, the programme has reportedly raised over €20,000 for North West Hospice while helping return around 135,000 eligible containers.
Judges praised the initiative for blending:
- Strong environmental impact
- Campus-wide participation
- Community partnership
- Fundraising success
- Educational value
What began as a modest effort expanded into a broad collaboration involving students, staff, catering teams, cleaners, volunteers and local businesses. That scale of involvement made the project a compelling example of how sustainability can be embedded into daily campus life.
Innovation and community spirit shine at the Re-turn Awards
A special commendation went to TU Dublin Grangegorman student Likun Fang for developing Is It Full?, a free app that helps users check the status of Re-turn machines, find nearby return points and access directions. Following engagement with Re-turn, the technology is now being tested in a pilot project in Skerries to explore its potential for community collections and charitable donations.
Judge Aoife McNamara said the range and originality of entries stood out, praising the creativity and leadership shown by students and faculty nationwide. Re-turn CEO Ciarán Foley also highlighted the scale of national participation, noting that small daily actions can produce meaningful change when communities rally behind them.
Selected winners
- Gold: ATU Sligo
- Silver: TU Dublin, Bolton Street
- Bronze: Dundalk Institute of Technology
- Special Commendation: TU Dublin, Grangegorman
For anyone tracking media news Ireland, this year’s Re-turn Awards offer a clear signal: sustainability initiatives are becoming stronger, smarter and more collaborative across higher education. In the evolving Irish media industry, stories like this resonate because they show measurable impact, local relevance and genuine public value.
ATU Sligo’s success is more than an award win. It is a model for how institutions can turn everyday habits into lasting social good — a message that deserves attention across media Ireland.
Image Courtesy: Business Plus
