Together with Fingal County Council, VOICE is taking bold steps to tackle single-use cup waste, bringing real change to Rush and Malahide.

‍

Why This Matters

Packaging waste has been a pressing issue for years. Single-use bags, plastic bottles, food containers, and wrappers are the biggest culprits polluting our oceans—together, they account for nearly half of all human-made waste found in marine environments.

In 2021, Ireland generated a staggering 1.2 million tonnes of packaging waste. While recycling plays a role, it’s not a perfect solution—it’s energy-intensive and still relies on waste being produced in the first place. The real answer? Reuse.

‍

‍

‍

A Growing Movement for Change

Exciting advancements at the national and EU levels, including Ireland’s upcoming cup levy, are pushing countries toward reusable packaging. But progress is slow—according to Repak, only 1% of all packaging in Ireland in 2021 was reusable. There’s still so much more to do.

Inspired by the hugely successful Killarney Cup Project, which has already kept over a million disposable cups out of the bin in just one year, we’re setting our sights on an ambitious goal: making Rush and Malahide single-use cup free by 2026!

Community-Powered Action

Our journey started with passionate local volunteers and business owners, and we’re blown away by their dedication. Groups like Rush Tidy Towns, Malahide Lions Club, St. Sylvester’s Parish Council, and Malahide Tidy Towns have been instrumental in rallying support. The response from local retailers has been overwhelmingly positive, proving that our communities are ready for change!

With VYTAL as our reusable cup and technology supplier, we’ve got a game-changing system that makes it easy for both businesses and customers to ditch disposable cups for good.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

The Road to a Single-Use-Free Future

‍May 2025 – Launching the Six-Month Pilot

We kick off our reusable cup pilot across Rush and Malahide! Over six months, we’ll work closely with local retailers to stock reusable cups and educate residents on how to take part in this initiative.

November 2025 – Saying Goodbye to Disposable Cups!

By the end of the pilot, we aim to have both towns fully embracing reusables, making single-use cups a thing of the past.

‍

Join the Movement

This is more than just a project—it’s a movement. By working together, we can make a real impact, protect our environment, and lead the way in sustainability. Stay tuned for updates, and get ready to say YES to reusables and NO to waste!

Want to get involved? Reach out to us and be part of the change? Please get in touch lyndsey@voiceireland.org or Donate Today.

‍