SuperValu customers nationwide have raised over €100,000 for AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity, by donating their Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) vouchers. SuperValu has become the first retailer in Ireland to reach this milestone through the DRS initiative, reflecting both the generosity of customers and the positive impact of community action.
The long-standing partnership between SuperValu and AsIAm has not only supported vital autism inclusion programmes but also demonstrated the positive environmental and social impact that can come from small, everyday actions.
Since the launch of the DRS initiative last year, over 424 million containers have been recycled across 577 SuperValu and Centra stores, making SuperValu and Centra the largest retail group participating in the scheme.
Through the simple act of returning bottles and cans, SuperValu customers have chosen to donate their vouchers, directly contributing to AsIAm’s mission to build a more inclusive Ireland for Autistic people and their families.
Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of SuperValu and Centra, said: “At SuperValu, community is at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud that our customers have once again shown their generosity and commitment to inclusion by choosing to support AsIAm through the DRS initiative. This €100,000 milestone – the first of its kind by any retailer in Ireland – reflects the positive change that can happen when we all come together, helping both our planet and our people.”
Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, said: “By donating their Deposit Return Scheme vouchers to AsIAm in SuperValu stores, customers are helping us to support the 1 in 20 people who are Autistic and their families. We’re very grateful to SuperValu and their retail partners for their support through this initiative, as we endeavour to make Irish society a more inclusive and accepting place, where autistic people have the same chance.”
Across Ireland, thousands of Autistic individuals and their families face barriers that prevent them from fully participating in everyday life. With support from the SuperValu partnership and the DRS initiative, AsIAm can expand the reach of its life-changing programmes – breaking down systemic barriers, ensuring equal opportunities, and empowering Autistic individuals at every stage of life.
SuperValu’s partnership with AsIAm began in 2016, positioning the retailer as Ireland’s leading supporter of autism inclusion. Milestone achievements over the duration of the partnership have included autism-friendly training for SuperValu staff, as well as SuperValu’s support of the development of autism-friendly towns, beginning with Clonakilty in 2018.
The Deposit Return Scheme continues to grow across the SuperValu and Centra network, with 718 reverse vending machines (RVMs) now in operation across stores nationwide. This includes 361 RVMs across 357 Centra stores and 357 RVMs across 220 SuperValu stores.
Regional participation remains a key driver of the scheme’s success. Dublin leads the way with over 86.8 million containers recycled, followed by Cork (61.6 million), Meath (23.9 million), Galway (21.3 million), Wexford (18.4 million) and Kildare (18.1 million). These figures underline the enthusiasm of communities nationwide to recycle responsibly and contribute to meaningful causes through their DRS vouchers.
The busiest redemption days continue to be Saturdays, as customers take advantage of their weekend shop to return containers and support the programme’s environmental and social impact.
