Murphy's Costcutter Express Macroom leads with Europe’s first TOMRA B5 Combi reverse vending machine installation

A community key

The store, located in Macroom, a small town with a growing population of over 5,500 residents nearby Cork, employs 18 staff members, both full-time and part-time. This close-knit team has played an active role in seamlessly integrating the RVM into their daily operations.

Embracing innovation

The TOMRA B5 Combi RVM became operational in February, together with the Irish deposit return scheme (DRS). The machine has proven to be a valuable addition to June’s store. “At first, we were unsure [about DRS], but we were hopeful. Now, everyone brings their recyclables back to us because there are no long queues like in the bigger stores,” June explains. Customers tend to bring back their empty containers weekly to the store, which sees the deposit refund mostly being spent in-store. June herself oversees the daily operation of the machine, ensuring it runs smoothly. “It’s very simple to open and clean. We try to empty it daily to keep things tidy,” she says. The machine is processing over 7,000 containers monthly, showcasing its efficiency and reflecting the community's strong commitment to recycling.

Customers have quickly embraced the new system. “Initially, there was some resistance [about DRS], but now people see the benefits. They often bring in their recyclables weekly and use the vouchers in-store, which boosts our business,” June explains.