New Mayo Lidl store to have reverse vending machine

Lidl has announced that its new store in Claremorris will open on Thursday, June 2.

The fifth Lidl supermarket in Mayo sees a significant local investment of more than €6 million and will create 35 permanent jobs in the locality, bringing the total number of Lidl employees in the county to more than 130.

It will become the company's second only supermarket in the country to have a reverse vending machine for its deposit return scheme.

The machines will enable customers to deposit used plastic beverage bottles and aluminium cans in return for money-back vouchers redeemable in-store.

Lidl’s reverse vending machines will aim to redirect 1,500 tonnes of plastic annually that will then be manufactured into new products.

For every unit deposited a customer will receive a €0.10 voucher in return with a maximum voucher limit of €2.

The machine can collect and process up to 17,000 units a week which is representative of approximately 1,500 tonnes in a year when rolled out to Lidl’s 170 stores nationwide.

Following an initial trial period in Lidl’s Glenageary store, the retailer is now to rolling out the machines to its wider store network across the country, which is sure to allow Lidl’s 1.5 million weekly customer base lend itself as the perfect test bed for intelligence gathering ahead of the legislative changes due in 2022.

As well as the introduction of the innovative reverse-vending machine, Lidl Claremorris will boast a modern store design that has a spacious interior layout with a new 1,546 sqm. shop floor that has high ceilings and wide aisles, which creates a comfortable shopping experience for all.

This new store will feature a range of additional sustainable features such as roof mounted solar panels and electric car charging points.

Commenting on the opening Adrian Feerick, store manager, said: “We are excited to open our doors next week and bring Lidl’s award-winning quality and the best value on the market to the vibrant and thriving Claremorris community.

"Our new, state-of-the-art store will offer customers a stellar shopping experience with our ‘concept’ design, wide aisles and ample parking.

"We’re also delighted that Claremorris has been chosen as the location for an innovative deposit return machine – the second of its kind in the country - and we’re looking forward to hearing our new customers feedback on the initiative.”