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ATU wins National Gold Award as recycling initiative raises over €22,500 for hospice
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has been named the overall Gold Award winner at the inaugural Re-Turn Awards, held at Croke Park in Dublin on Wednesday, 3 June, in recognition of a pioneering recycling initiative that has combined sustainability, community engagement and fundraising to deliver tangible impact.
The Bottle and Can Return Initiative, led by ATU lecturer Robert Craig, secured the top national honour and a €5,000 prize, which will go directly to North West Hospice. The award marks a significant milestone for a project that has raised more than €22,500 in just over a year, while facilitating the return of approximately 135,000 bottles and cans and diverting significant waste from landfill.
The awards, hosted by broadcaster Emma Nolan, brought together third-level institutions from across Ireland, celebrating innovative uses of the Deposit Return Scheme to promote environmental responsibility and community benefit. Judges selected ATU for its “combination of environmental impact, education and community involvement,” describing it as a standout example of how small actions can scale into meaningful change.
What began as a modest initiative has grown into a campus-wide effort involving students, staff, O’Hehirs catering teams, Flannery’s cleaning staff, estates, volunteers and local businesses. Special recognition is due to Des Faul, General Manager at O’Hehirs, whose early leadership in bringing the catering teams on board and whose tireless commitment have been instrumental in the initiative’s success. Today, dedicated recycling points across ATU campuses have become an everyday feature, reinforcing sustainability while directly supporting local charities.
For Robert Craig, the national recognition reflects the strength of collective action. “This started as a simple idea- to use the Deposit Return Scheme in a way that could give something back locally,” he said. “What’s happened since has far exceeded expectations. The real achievement is the consistency of the effort- students and staff choosing every day to take part, knowing it’s making a difference. Winning the gold award is fantastic, but the fact that every cent of that prize goes to North West Hospice makes it even more worthwhile.”
The initiative’s success has also had a wider impact beyond fundraising, helping to embed sustainable habits across campus while strengthening ties between the university and the wider community.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, said the award represents a defining moment for the university’s approach to sustainability and regional engagement.
This is a remarkable achievement for ATU and a powerful example of what can be accomplished through collaboration and shared purpose. What Robert and the wider university community have created is not just a recycling initiative—it is a model of how higher education can deliver real environmental and social impact. Winning the national gold award reflects the scale of that impact and the leadership being shown by our staff and students.
For North West Hospice, the initiative continues to provide both vital funding and a strong connection to the community.
Mary Forte, Commercial Manager at North West Hospice, welcomed the recognition. “The support from ATU has been incredible. This initiative shows how something as simple as recycling can translate into real, tangible support for patient care. The funds raised—and now the award—make a genuine difference to the services we can provide. We are deeply grateful to everyone involved.”
The success of the recycling initiative was mirrored elsewhere across the university at the awards, with the ATU’s Donegal Green Pantry Society receiving national recognition for its work in reducing food waste and supporting students. Led by Peter Reynolds and Charles Lucas Makiohe, the Society’s ReTurn initiative, developed in partnership with local retailers and organisations, has demonstrated how sustainability and student wellbeing can be effectively combined. ATU student, Jack Follard was also shortlisted in the awards for his Re-Turn initiative.
For Robert Craig and the team behind the project, however, the focus remains firmly on the future.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “If we can keep growing participation and building awareness, there’s no limit to the impact we can have—for the environment and for the community.”ing awareness, there’s no limit to the impact we can have—for the environment and for the community.”
Feature photo caption: (L-R) Ciaran Foley, CEO, Re-turn, Mary Malone, Lecturer at ATU, Elizabeth Craig, Robert Craig, Lecturer at ATU, Orla Flynn, ATU President, Mary Nolan, Lecturer at ATU, Des Faul, General Manager at O’Hehirs, Mary Forte, Commercial Manager at North West Hospice, and Emma Nolan, Re-turn presenter.
For media enquiries, contact:
Aidan Haughey
Communications Manager
Tel: 086 086 6913
E: aidan.haughey@atu.ie
