Introduction of Deposit Return Scheme in Ireland
Ireland introduced a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans on February 1st 2024.
Ireland introduced a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans on February 1st 2024. The scheme incentivises people to return used drinks containers so that they can be successfully recycled into new containers. The scheme is operated by Re-Turn, a company which rolled out and administers the scheme. A small deposit is added to the price of the drink when a consumer makes a purchase of a drink in a plastic bottle or aluminium can with the Re-turn logo. A deposit of 15 cents applies to containers from 150ml to 500ml, and a deposit of 25 cents applies to containers between 500ml and 3 litres[1]. When return the empty, undamaged drinks container are returned to any participating retail outlet, the deposit is returned in full via a voucher. The voucher can be used in the participating retail outlet where the return was made.
The first four months of the scheme were considered a settling in period and there were reports of return equipment malfunctioning. Re-Turn, a company which rolled out and administers the scheme worked with retailers to resolve issues relating to efficient operation of the Reverse Vending Machines as technical issues had impacted early reliability. A number of retailers have switched to alternative manufacturers of RVMs[2].
The Scheme has grown in success over the year. Just 2 million containers or 2%, were returned for collection during the first month (February 2024). Returns increased 112 million drinks containers during August, equivalent to 73% of the amount sold that month, and the average monthly return is now over 100 million[3].
The Scheme is having the desired effect on improving the environment. A Coastwatch Ireland marine litter survey of 542 sites, the lowest average bottle and can count in 25 years of surveys was recorded. From a peak of 100 bottles per kilometre in 2010, it has dropped to just below eight bottles per kilometre in 2024[4]. The success of the scheme means that Ireland is track to achieve its EU collection target of 77% by the end of 2025, and the higher target of 90% by 2029[5].
Read more:
[1] https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/8526d-irelands-deposit-return-scheme-is-now-live/
[2] https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0509/1448105-deposit-return/
[3] https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/1024/1477146-bottle-collection/
[4] https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/1121/1482275-marine-litter/
[5] https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/1024/1477146-bottle-collection/
