Community-Led Change: Malahide and Rush Brew Up a Greener Future

Lyndsey O'Connell (Community Liaison Officer)

At VOICE, we’ve always believed that the strongest, most lasting solutions come from the ground up. That’s why we’re especially proud to be part of the Fingal Reusable Cup Project, which officially launched last weekend in Malahide and Rush. This isn’t just a climate initiative, it’s a celebration of what communities can achieve when they come together with purpose.

This project is bold. It’s collaborative. And, most importantly, it’s powered by people.

A Shared Goal: Ditch the Disposable

Inspired by the incredible impact of the Killarney Cup Project—which kept over 1 million disposable cups out of landfills in a single year—Fingal is aiming high. Malahide and Rush are taking the leap to go completely disposable cup free by November 2025, and VOICE has been working on the ground from the start to help make it happen.

From local tidy towns volunteers and sports clubs to café owners, baristas, schools, parish councils, and more—this project is a real team effort. It's about more than just cups. It’s about connection, collaboration, and community-powered climate action.

Dream Team; Malahide Volunteers from St. Sylvesters Parish, Malahide Lions Club, Tidy Towns and Malahide Chamber stand side-by-side with Mayor of Fingal, Minsiter for the Environment Darragh O'Brien and representatives from Fingal CoCo, Vytal and VOICE

How It Works

The six-month pilot is now underway, in partnership with VYTAL, a not-for-profit social enterprise offering smart reusable cup systems. If you don’t have your own cup, no problem, borrow a VYTAL cup for free, enjoy your drink, and return it to any participating café in either town within 14 days, for free. If you do not return the cup within 14 days, you will be charged 9 Euro. It’s convenient, waste-free, and designed for real life.

And of course, if you’d prefer to sit and savour your coffee, mugs are available (yes, the proper kind!). Or simply bring your own reusable cup and join the movement.

Local Heroes Rush Tidy Towns Volunteers, with representatives from Fingal Co.Co, Vytal, VOICE and the Mayor of Fingal

Why This Matters

Ireland’s packaging waste problem is staggering. With 72% of plastic packaging still ending up in incinerators, and disposable cups being nearly impossible to recycle, we can’t afford to keep doing business as usual.

Reusable solutions only make up 2% of packaging use in Ireland. That’s not nearly enough, but projects like this are changing the tide.

We’re especially proud that this initiative reflects what VOICE has always stood for: inclusive, community-first solutions that are built to last. When people feel ownership over a project, when they see their neighbours, friends, and favourite baristas getting involved, they're far more likely to support and stick with it.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Malahide and Rush

From everyone at VOICE, we want to extend our deepest thanks and admiration to the communities of Malahide and Rush. Most especcially, to the leads Vanessa and Brendan (in Rush) and Bernie (in Malahide). Your patience, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to this project have been truly inspiring.

Rolling out something new, especially something that changes daily habits, is never easy. But you’ve shown up. You’ve put in the work. And you’re helping shape a model that we believe can spread across Ireland.

This is what climate action looks like: local, inclusive, practical, and full of heart.

So, to everyone who has been part of this journey so far: thank you. Keep raising your (reusable) cups. We’re just getting started.

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