In a bid to fight the war on plastic waste, one Dublin museum is doing its bit to prevent thousands of single-use plastics heading to the landfill.

In a bid to fight the war on plastic waste, one Dublin museum is doing its bit to prevent thousands of single-use plastics heading to the landfill after a weekend of celebrations.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is offering free entry to anyone who disposes of their leprechaun beards, silly hats, flags and any other St Patrick's paraphernalia responsibly. 
Once the initiative is complete all unwanted items will be then be donated to ReCreate Ireland, a social enterprise who collect unloved and leftover materials from businesses across the country. All items are then redistributed to communities, schools and centres at knockdown and affordable prices.
St Patrick's Day novelty items can be repurposed and upcycled in various ways including arts, crafts and school projects. 
In a statement, a spokesperson for EPIC said: "At EPIC we believe that Ireland had given far more to the world than stereotypes."
"From the 17th to the 20th of March, we’re inviting you to trade in your St Patrick’s Day novelty paraphernalia - costume hats, shamrock glasses, leprechaun beards or tricolour boas - and visit our museum during the St. Patrick's Festival weekend to get a deeper understanding of the influence of the men and women who have left and learn more about what Ireland has given the world."
"Whether it’s our inventors, writers, musicians, architects or scientists, we want you to visit EPIC and discover what it really means to be Irish."
Don't let your St Patrick's Day novelty plastic end up at the dump, trade it in a discover what it really means to be Irish with vaults of interactive exhibitions and activities suitable for the whole family. 
To claim your complimentary pass to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum located at the CHQ Building on Custom House Quay, simply bring your green tat to the museum ticket desk before 6.45pm March 20th. 
Kellie Kearney is a Dublin mammy of 4 kids aged 2, 3, 4 and 9 (and she is expecting baby #5 in May). A self-confessed procrastinator and picker-upper of things, Kellie would never turn down a coffee and she loves to travel. You can follow her every day true to life moments on Instagram.