Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme

Since going live one year ago, Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme has introduced a radical change in how beverage producers, retailers and consumers interact with the market. Underpinned by a dynamic partnership across the beverage industry, retailers, government, and the Scheme Operator, Re-turn, Ireland’s DRS has moved from strength to strength, with one billion containers collected to date.

A ‘Closed-Loop’ Recycling System

A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) sees a deposit placed on single-use drinks containers, which is then refunded to the consumer when they return their bottles and cans. Consumers are incentivised to bring back their used products, which will lead to a reduction in littering and increased recycling. Unlike traditional recycling methods, a DRS aims to create a ‘closed-loop’ recycling system, allowing the returned material to be recycled into new drinks containers, and contributing to Ireland’s separate collection target for plastic bottles - 77% by 2025, increasing to 90% by 2029.

Under the Irish DRS, plastic PET bottles and aluminium/steel cans are subject to a deposit - 15c on containers up to 500ml, and 25c on containers over 500ml-3 litres. Consumers can then return these to any participating store or return point to receive their refunded deposit.

Scheme Performance at a Glance

• To date, one billion containers have been returned through the Scheme.
• Over 2,600 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) have been installed, located across the country.
• By separating plastic and aluminium from general recycling, the quality of the recycled materials jumps to 98% as part of DRS, compared with just 80% in the traditional recycling bin system.

Supporting Local Communities and Charities

Re-turn have recently launched ‘Return for Children’, a new charity fundraising initiative in partnership with six of Ireland’s children’s charities - Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack & Jill, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, and Make-A-Wish Ireland. Working with large-scale events such as festivals, concerts and sporting matches, ‘Return for Children’ will provide attendees at participating events with the option to donate their plastic bottles and cans at designated Re-turn bins for charity. Additionally, increasing numbers of return points at schools, sports clubs and voluntary groups will provide an important, and direct, source of funding for community-based organisations.

A Leading Example of Multi-Stakeholder Partnership

Ireland’s combined alcohol and non-alcohol industry, and retailers, led by Ibec’s Irish Beverage Council, have engaged extensively and constructively together with key stakeholders in delivering a successful DRS for Ireland. We continue to remain actively engaged to ensure that the potential of DRS is maximised, including regular engagement with Re-turn, and the introduction of the Scheme’s high-quality recycled material into our production chains.

DRS is the result of active and dynamic partnership across the beverage industry, Government, and Re-turn. The Scheme allows the entire beverage chain, from producer to retailer and through to the consumer, the opportunity to play their part in increasing recycling, reducing litter, and building a more circular economy.

Robert Kiernan

Director, Irish Beverage Council

Food Drink Ireland