Re-turn scheme sees busiest day so far with 2.3m returns

The new Deposit Return Scheme had its best day yet over the weekend, the Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action has heard.

Minister of State Ossian Smyth revealed that, on Saturday, more than 2.3 million containers were returned, in 806,000 transactions.

Yesterday, 2.2m containers were returned, he said, pointing to “a steady and significant increase” in recent weeks.

The figures demonstrate that the recycling scheme has been embraced by the public, the minister added.

On 1 February, a 15 cent refundable charge was added to plastic bottles – along with aluminium and steel cans – up to 500ml, and 25 cent added to containers 500ml and over.

To date, 70.6m containers have been returned, with over €12.3m worth of deposits paid out to customers.

Mr Smyth has responsibility for introducing the circular economy, which prioiritises the re-use of materials.

Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan welcomed the scheme, noting that, when it was introduced, “people had been lining up to knock it”.

But he revealed that when he went to use his local machine, it was out of order.

He was “over-joyed” when it worked on his second visit, saving him €2 on his shopping that day.

Minister Smyth accepted the observation from People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy that the scheme does not deal with the fundamental issue of getting rid of single-use plastics.

“Re-use is better than recycling,” the minister conceded, but added that no “one single bullet” can achieve that.

Mr Murphy recounted “the frustrations a lot of people feel” about the scheme which they have shared with him while out canvassing.

“Because they arrive back to the shop, with their bags full of bottles,” he said, adding that “they went on a bus. The machine’s broken”.

The suppliers of the machines in Ireland also operate in the 40 other countries where similar schemes are in place, the minister said.

But he acknowledged that one in seven people are being disappointed by a machine which is not working.

The target rate or working machines is 90%, he added.

“There really is a learning curve for retailers in managing to maintain these machines,” Mr Smyth said, as sometimes they are simply full, or need to have the paper for receipts changed.

Some changes to the scheme will follow next month, he added, but did not provide further details.