Press release
Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme is live
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The Deposit Return Scheme — a new, nationwide money-back scheme for plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans — is being rolled out from today (Thursday, 1 February). The scheme incentivises people to return used drinks containers so that they can be successfully recycled into new containers.
The Deposit Return Scheme is a key commitment of the Programme for Government 2020, and is a fundamental building block of a circular economy. About 5 million drinks are consumed in single-use containers in Ireland each day. As well as boosting recycling rates, the Deposit Return Scheme will significantly reduce the number of bottles and cans being littered or sent to landfill or incineration.
From today, 1 February 2024, when you buy a drink in a plastic bottle or aluminium can with the Re-turn logo, you will pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink. When you return your empty, undamaged drinks container to any participating retail outlet, you get your deposit back in full. A deposit of 15 cents will apply to containers from 150ml to 500ml, while a deposit of 25 cents will apply to containers between 500ml and 3 litres.
Welcoming the launch of the new scheme, Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth said:
"I am delighted to launch our national Deposit Return Scheme today. This is an exciting, new initiative which will boost recycling rates, greatly reduce litter, and improve the environment. It will get bottles and cans off our roadsides and beaches and contribute to the circular economy by turning waste drinks containers into new bottles and cans.
"We know deposit return schemes work — they operate effectively in over 40 countries around the world, including 15 in Europe, where the average EU collection rate is 92%. By giving these containers a financial value, it incentivises consumers to return them. I think people in Ireland will really get behind this scheme and make it a great success; we saw this with the introduction of the plastic bag levy and the Euro.
"The Deposit Return Scheme is a once-in-a-generation development for the Irish beverage industry. I want to acknowledge the collaboration and the leadership industry has shown in establishing a complex new system in a relatively short timeframe. I would also like to recognise the smaller businesses who have opted into the scheme. They can be assured of my ongoing support in making the scheme work for local businesses and communities."
The scheme is operated by Deposit Return Scheme Ireland (DRSI) CLG, trading as Re-turn, who Minister Ossian Smyth appointed in July 2022. DRSI CLG was established by beverage producers and retailers to fulfil their obligations under the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021.
Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, said:
"We're delighted to launch Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, Re-turn. Today represents the introduction of one of the most significant and transformative circular economy projects in our recent history. I would like to extend our sincere thanks to both Ireland’s retailers and producers for their invaluable collaboration during this process, as without their cooperation, this wouldn’t have been possible.
"The introduction of this scheme brings numerous exciting benefits to Ireland — it increases recycling rates, reduces litter, lowers emissions, prevents waste, and eases the strain on our natural resources. The separate collection of these plastic bottles and cans guarantees that high-quality recyclate material is returned and recycled and there is no cross contamination. The introduction of Deposit Return is a proven method of increasing recycling rates, with great success in a number of other European countries. This is a positive step towards a cleaner and more sustainable Ireland. We encourage consumers to reach out to Re-turn with any questions they may have. Together, we're going to make a significant impact on our environment.”
More information on the Deposit Return Scheme is available on the Re-turn website.
From today, 1 February 2024, when you buy a drink in a plastic bottle or aluminium can with the Re-turn logo, you will pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink.
Re-turn is overseeing the roll-out of the Deposit Return Scheme and foresees more than 2,000 return points being ready to accept returns and refund deposits from today. Larger retailers and some smaller retailers have installed Reverse Vending Machines, or RVMs, at their premises to automate the deposit return process. Nearly 200 smaller retailers will operate the scheme on a manual, over-the-counter basis.
Consumers will receive the deposit back when they return the empty, undamaged plastic bottle or can (with the Re-turn logo) to participating shops and supermarkets nationwide, either through a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) or manually, over the counter. RVMs issue customers with a voucher that can be redeemed at the till against store purchases or as a cash refund. If containers are returned over the counter, retailers will provide a refund once the container is undamaged and features the Re-turn logo. Consumers are advised not to crush or squeeze the plastic bottles and cans.
From 1 June, all stock not branded with the Re-turn logo will be phased out of shops and consumers will only be able to buy drinks for which a deposit is payable.
To locate the nearest deposit return point, individuals can use the Re-turn 'Where To Return' map. This map is accessible either by scanning a QR code on 'Take Back Exemption certificates' or by visiting the Re-turn website.
Queries in relation to the operation of the scheme can be sent to re-turn@teneo.com
Further details can be found on the Re-turn website.
Government policy is moving towards achieving a 'circular economy'. We cannot continue to make, use and throw away. Circularity means using our resources carefully and, by moving to a circular economy, we can reduce material use.
Delivering a circular economy will have positive environmental, economic and social impacts. Across Europe, countries are moving towards and adopting circular economy practices. The EU is pursuing its ‘European Green Deal’ strategy, which has the circular economy at its heart. In March 2020, the EU launched its Second Circular Economy Action Plan.
At the national level, Ireland published its first whole-of-government Circular Economy Strategy in December 2021 to ensure policy coherence across the public sector and to outline the government’s overall approach to the circular economy for stakeholders and the public.
The Circular Economy Act 2022 goes further — by translating this policy approach into a statutory requirement. It will also provide the necessary statutory underpinning to a range of actions that will strengthen waste enforcement in relation to illegal dumping and littering, for example, by allowing for the GDPR-compliant use of CCTV and other technologies in enforcement actions. The Circular Economy Strategy provides a national policy framework for Ireland’s transition to a circular economy. This Act places that Strategy, and the commitment to a circular economy, on a clear statutory footing. The National Circular Economy Programme (operated by the EPA) will be placed on the same statutory basis.
The circular economy is not a new idea; in fact many circular activities are already commonplace. However, achieving the full benefits requires more than action at individual level; it requires the right mix of government policy and regulation, new business models and new systems of production. It also requires education and awareness.
Find out more on the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications website.