Hanlon’s Gala brings 24-hour recycling access to Longford with TOMRA T90 | TOMRA

Located in a densely populated residential area of Longford, Ireland, Hanlon’s Gala has become a trusted destination for approximately 3,000 residents living within a five-minute walk. The store’s appeal lies in its accessibility and calm atmosphere, especially appreciated by long-time customers who prefer to avoid the hustle of larger supermarkets.

Ireland’s 24-hour retail experience

What sets Hanlon’s Gala shop apart is its 24-hour operation, a gem in the country. “We are probably one of maybe three stores in the whole country [Ireland] that open fully 24 hours. So, you could do your shopping at 3 o’clock in the morning,” says Patrick. This unique characteristic has influenced the usage patterns of the installed reverse vending machine, a TOMRA T90, with many customers opting to use it late at night. “Some people still don’t like the idea of coming to the machines during the day. They have a bit of a hang-up about it, but at night, we are offering something a little bit different,” he explained.

A lot of them [customers] are happy to use the reverse vending machine somewhere like this that’s a little quieter and easier to access.
Patrick HanlonOwner at Hanlon's Gala

Reliable performance with TOMRA T90

The TOMRA T90 RVM has been operational since July 2024, and Patrick Hanlon couldn’t be happier with its performance. “We have had no issues so far. Everything has been running pretty smoothly, so we are very happy,” he said. This positive experience marks a significant improvement from their previous competitor machine, which in Patrick’s word, “was not fit for purpose”. “We spoke to TOMRA, and they advised us on the best machine for our store. TOMRA T90 has worked out very well,” Hanlon added.

Customer feedback on the TOMRA T90 has been very positive. Despite not having advertised the new machine extensively because of the problems with the machine they had before, the store has seen a steady increase in usage. Differently than traditional grocery retailers, where consumers can use the return voucher only for local shop or cash, at Halon’s Gala the voucher allow customers to use their voucher for in-store products or fuel, has been particularly well-received. Anybody that brings back larger amounts of bottles tends to use it to buy fuel, and the smaller amounts tend to be used in stores,

TOMRA T90 was installed at Halon's Gala in July 2024.

Located in a densely populated residential area of Longford, Ireland,

We have had no issues, it’s going really well, and the feedback is very positive so far.
Patrick HanlonOwner at Hanlon's Gala

Hanlon’s Gala’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the RVM. They have planning permission for 160 solar panels, which will be installed. Additionally, designated charging points for electric vehicles are set to be connected soon. “We’ve heavily invested in our refrigeration in the last two or three years to put glass doors on the refrigeration. We retrofitted the store with LEDs quite a few years ago,” Hanlon noted. These efforts reflect a gradual but steady approach to sustainability, adapting to new information and technologies as they emerge.

Reflecting on his experience, Patrick Hanlon sincerely recommends TOMRA. “I knew TOMRA were good because they had been in Dunnes and Lidl, and I suppose they’re the type of companies that only deal with top-class providers. It’s worked out very well, and I would recommend them to anybody I speak to,” he concluded.

Hanlon’s Gala’s journey with the TOMRA T90 RVM underscores the importance of sustainability and customer-centric innovations in today’s retail landscape.