Discover the rainbow installation that will illuminate the St. Patrick’s Festival

Next weekend will see the opening of a large rainbow installation in the Festival Quarter as part of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations (March 16 and 17).

The structure that has been built from more than 1,500 recycled cans was made by the non-profit organization Every Can Counts in collaboration with Loreto College, which is based in St Stephen’s Green.

A group of 18 Loreto College freshmen took it upon themselves to collect cans for the installation. In addition, local recycling centers, Rathmines Bring Centre and Windmill Road Civic Amenity Centre, also contributed donations.

Earlier this month, university students had the opportunity to visit the Every Can Counts warehouse in Dublin. There, they were able to learn about the rainbow construction process and how aluminum cans can be recycled repeatedly. Empty cans are recycled and return to the shelf as good as new in only 60 days.
During the Festival event, there will be six members of Every Can Counts in charge of collecting cans in special recycling backpacks and conducting surveys among attendees in order to raise awareness about the importance of recycling.

All money raised from the cans collected by the team will be given to the Capuchin Day Center, an organization that has been nominated by Loreto College.
The Capuchin Day Center is dedicated to helping individuals who have no place to live in Dublin by providing shelter, hot meals, food supplies, medical care, counseling and access to bathing facilities.

After the implementation of the new Deposit Return Program in early February, the installation of the giant rainbow was carried out immediately.
According to research conducted by Every Can Counts, it has been found that a large percentage of people (69%) claim that the new Deposit Return Scheme will motivate them to recycle more, with concern for the environment being their main incentive.

It has also been noted that the majority of people in the Republic of Ireland (approximately 78%) prefer to buy products in packaging that they consider recyclable. Popular choices include aluminum cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles.

According to Chris Latham-Warde, program manager for Every Can Counts, the St. Patrick’s Day celebration is an ideal opportunity to promote Irish culture and heritage. As such, the organization is pleased to partner with Loreto College and the St. Patrick’s Festival to participate in this year’s festivities.
“As well as brightening up Dublin, our installation will remind people of the benefits of recycling their beverage cans, especially as it marks over a month since the Deposit Return Scheme was launched in the Republic of Ireland. Aluminum can be recycled again and again, and manufacturing cans from recycled metal uses 95% less energy than manufacturing from raw materials. Dubliners and Irish people alike can play their part in this process by ensuring they return all their empty cans, allowing this valuable material to remain in circulation.”

Loreto College Principal Jackie Dempsey expressed her enthusiasm for the transition year students and their collaboration in the implementation of Every Can Counts at the St. Patrick’s Festival.

After months of effort collecting cans all over the city of Dublin, you can finally see the result in the form of a large rainbow. This installation is not only an eye-catcher, but also a reminder of the importance of recycling and the positive impact it has on the local community.
According to St. Patrick’s Festival executive director Richard Tierney, the “Every Can Counts” initiative goes beyond simply recycling; it is a symbol of commitment to community and environmental stewardship. Loreto College and this initiative will be part of the Festival this year, reminding everyone that every small action counts for a brighter and more sustainable future not only in Ireland, but also elsewhere.

“We would also like to say a huge thank you to the transition year students at Loreto College who have spent months working on this project. We look forward to seeing their hard work in our Festival Quarter over the weekend.”

“In our organization, sustainability is a core value that we seek to lead from the very beginning. It permeates every aspect of the festival, from its production to its program. Our goal is to carry out important initiatives on the ground while continuing to support thought-provoking creative pieces throughout our program.”they added.

The Every Can Counts organization has been formed as an alliance between beverage can manufacturers and fillers, along with the recycling industry, with the primary goal of achieving 100% recycling of all beverage cans.