Student awards Re-turn for ‘bigger than ever’ competition

STUDENTS across the country have been encouraged to enter the 2027 Re-turn Awards, with the organisation stating next year’s competition will be “bigger than ever”.

Schools and third-level communities across Ireland have been called on to get “Re-turning”, get creative and transform everyday cans and bottles into something bigger, as entries open for the Re-turn Awards 2027.

Launched by content creator and former primary school teacher Kayleigh Trappe, the Awards celebrate the creative ways schools, students, staff and campus communities are using Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme to make a difference - from improving recycling to turning deposit refunds into support for projects, initiatives and causes that matter to them.

Now in their second year, the awards have expanded to include post-primary schools for the first time, alongside primary schools and third-level communities across Ireland.

One primary school and one post-primary school will each take home €5,000, while a further 10 schools will receive €1,000 each.

Third-level entrants will compete for Gold (€5,000), Silver (€2,000), and Bronze (€1,000), alongside 11 category awards of €650 and a new Applied Learning Award.

Entries close for primary and post-primary applicants on Friday, February 12 2027, while third-level entries can close on Tuesday, February 23 2027. All winners will be celebrated at a ceremony in Croke Park on April 13 next year.

Almost 400 entries were submitted last year, showcasing how schools and third-level communities used the Deposit Return Scheme to support sustainability, fundraising and school initiatives.

This year, post-primary students can bring their own ideas and energy to the programme through TY, CSPE, Student Councils, Green Committees, subject departments, year groups or other school teams. Initiatives can be led by students, staff or school groups, with participants encouraged to take ownership of everything from planning and awareness-building to collections and fundraising.

Entries will be judged on more than the number of cans and bottles collected. Judges will consider leadership, learning, creativity, engagement, and the overall impact of each initiative, while also taking into account the size and circumstances of each entry.

Dermot Mulligan, chief marketing officer at Re-turn, said the organisation was “absolutely blown away” by the response to last year's Re-turn Awards.

“Schools and campuses across the country really got behind it, coming up with brilliant ways to use their Re-turns to raise funds, support their communities and get more people thinking about recycling. This year, we want to get even more young people involved, so we’re really excited to welcome post-primary schools for the first time. It gives students a chance to take the lead, come up with their own ideas and show what they can achieve together,” Mr Mulligan concluded.

All entries can be submitted online at www.re-turn.ie.