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The new nationwide money-back scheme for plastic drinks bottles and aluminum cans comes into effect today and aims to incentivise people to return used drinks containers so that they can be successfully recycled into new containers.
The Deposit Return Scheme intends to significantly increase recycling rates.
It requires people to pay a small deposit on the purchase of drinks sold in aluminum cans or plastic bottles and then return the empty containers to retailers to collect their deposits.
Minister of State with responsibility for the Circular Economy Ossian Smyth said it will eliminate the issue of waste drinks containers on roadsides and beaches by turning such items into new bottles and cans.
About two billion aluminum drink cans and plastic bottles are sold in Ireland each year and just over 60% are currently returned for recycling.
The remainder end up in incinerators, or turn up as waste on the street, lakeshores, riversides and country roads.
This scheme will tackle this issue, aiming to increase the recycling rate up to 90%.
From this morning, consumers will have to pay a small deposit in addition to the normal price of any drinks sold in a plastic bottle or aluminum can that is stamped with the Re-turn logo.
The deposit, which is 15 cents for drinks up to 500ml and 25 cents above 500ml, will be paid back in full when the empty, undamaged drink container is returned to a reverse vending machine in a retail outlet.
Just over 18,000 of these machines have been installed in shops all over the country ahead of today’s launch while another 200 smaller shop owners plan to operate the scheme manually.
Mr Smyth said that giving these containers a financial value will encourage consumers to return them.
Similar deposit return schemes operate effectively in 40 countries around the world, including 15 in Europe, where the average EU collection rate is 92%.
Watch: Deposit return scheme – what you need to know
Ciaran Foley, the Chief Executive of Re-turn, the company that operates the scheme said it is one of the most significant and transformative circular economy projects in our recent history.
He said it will bring numerous exciting benefits to Ireland.
“It increases recycling rates, reduces litter, lowers emissions, prevents waste, and eases the strain on our natural resources,” he said.
“The separate collection of these plastic bottles and cans guarantees that high-quality material is returned and recycled and there is no cross contamination,” he added.
Minister Smyth said he wants to acknowledge the collaboration and the leadership industry has shown in establishing a complex new system in a relatively short timeframe alongside the smaller businesses who have opted into the scheme.
He promised ongoing support to make the scheme work for local businesses and communities.
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