The Republic of Ireland

In July 2026, my boyfriend and I set off on a road trip around the Republic of Ireland in our van, and it completely lived up to the hype. The rolling green countryside, the deep blue Atlantic coastline, crystal-clear water and the hundreds of dolphins we spotted along the way made it one of the most beautiful places we've visited. We spent our days hiking, exploring little coastal towns and making the most of the incredible scenery. One thing that really stood out to me was how clean everywhere felt. There was very little litter, and there were cycle lanes in so many places, which was brilliant to see as someone who loves travelling by bike.

Something we noticed almost immediately was Ireland's Re-turn deposit scheme. When you buy a drink in an eligible plastic bottle or can, you pay a small deposit on top of the purchase price. Once you've finished your drink, you simply take the empty container back to one of the many Re-turn machines found in supermarkets and shops across the country. The machine scans the barcode, accepts the container and prints a voucher for the value of your deposits, which you can spend in-store or redeem at the till.

What I really liked was how accessible the whole system is. We came across return points everywhere during our road trip, so there was never any need to carry bottles around for long or throw them away. It only takes a minute, and because there's a financial incentive, it encourages people to return their bottles rather than leaving them behind.

If you'd rather not keep the refund yourself, many stores also give you the option to donate your deposit to charity. Different retailers support different local and national charities, making it an easy way to give a little back while helping the environment at the same time.

After seeing the scheme in action, it's easy to understand why Ireland felt so clean. Combined with its investment in cycling infrastructure and obvious pride in its landscapes, the Re-turn scheme is a simple idea that genuinely seems to be making a difference. It's one of those things you don't think much about before you arrive, but after experiencing it, you can't help but wonder why every country doesn't make it this easy.