Students of all levels are invited to apply for Re-tur Awards 2027 following success of students last year.
Last year, St Aengus National School, Bridgend, won the Re-turn Student Achievement Award after its campaign raised funds for the school’s three autism classes, helping to support sensory equipment, resources, transport and activities.
Donegal also had success at third level, with the ATU Green Pantry Society winning the Re-turn On-Campus Collaboration Award.
The society created a zero-budget campaign that introduced six branded collection stations across campus, with funds split between Donegal Hospice and the Green Pantry, which redistributes surplus food to students.
Applications for the 2027 awards were launched last week by content creator and former primary school teacher Kayleigh Trappe.
One primary school and one post-primary school will each take home €5,000, while a further 10 schools will receive €1,000 each.
At 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.
Primary school entries can be submitted here, while post-primary school entries can be submitted here with entries closing for both on Friday, February 12, 2027.
Third-level entries can be submitted here and close on Tuesday, February 23, 2027.
All winners will be celebrated at a ceremony in Croke Park on 13 April 2027.
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.
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 the size and circumstances of each entry into account.
Launching the second annual Re-turn Awards, chief marketing officer at Re-turn, Dermot Mulligan said: “We were absolutely blown away by the response to the Re-turn Awards last year.
“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.”
Commenting on the launch, Re-turn Awards ambassador, Kayleigh Trappe said: “I’m thrilled to be part of the second Re-turn Awards and to celebrate the positive impact school and third-level communities can make through the Deposit Return Scheme.”