Galway City Council is delighted to share a new step towards a Circular Galway City, launched during the Climate Inspirations Festival 2025: the new ‘On-the-Go’ recycling pilot. 20 new ‘bin surrounds’ have been installed on city centre bins, to collect cans and bottles ‘on the go’ - potentially saving thousands of bottles and cans from landfill, or street litter in Galway City.
Here’s how it works: If you’re out and about — maybe grabbing a coffee on Shop Street or enjoying the views in the Claddagh — and you’ve got a plastic bottle or can with the Re-turn symbol, don’t bin it. Pop it in the holder on the side of the bin.
This simple action means the bottle or can be recycled — not dumped in landfill, or worse, littering our beautiful streets.
Anyone passing by can take that bottle or can and claim the 15 cent refund.
It’s recycling that rewards — and it keeps valuable materials in the loop, ready to create something new.
This pilot is part of a true circular economy — giving bottles and cans a second life, and helping Galway City hit its recycling targets.
Galway City Council, in partnership with Re-turn, the administrator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, is collaborating to deliver this project in Galway City. Originally launched in October 2024 in partnership with Dublin City Council, the bin surrounds programme saw 80 bin surrounds launched across Dublin City Centre initially and has experienced a high level of public engagement and support.
20 bins along a route from Eyre Square, down to William Street, Shop Street, High Street, and all the way down to the bottom of Quay Street will feature the new surrounds.
The ‘On-the-Go’ pilot project is part of Galway City Council’s ‘Circular City Galway’ programme and aligns with the National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy 2024-2030 policy of eliminating waste and maximising the reuse of resources.