Small shops raise concerns over plan for plastic recycling
SMALL retailers have raised concerns over the operation of a new deposit scheme for cans and bottles that was introduced yesterday.
A 15cent deposit will be added to the price of plastic bottles and cans of between 150ml and 500ml and 25c will be added to containers of between 500ml and three litres.
Shoppers will be refunded through ‘reverse-vending’ machines or over the counter in participating shops.
The scheme has attracted criticism from smaller shops who have complained that the roll-out and information about the scheme has been poor .
The Irish Petrol Retailers Association (IPRA) said while it is not against the scheme it should be paused ‘as more work needs to be done to ensure it runs smoothly and fairly for all retailers’.
A spokesman said: ‘We believe consumers need more time to get themselves ready; realising the price they pay at the till will increase, until they claim their refund, find another bin for their containers, train themselves and their household members up on rinsing and saving containers, and to give themselves time to work out where their closest reverse vending machine is located.
‘While multinational retailers will have been prepping for this for some time and many have seen how it works in other countries, for many independent Irish-owned retailers the scheme is new and communication from Re-Turn has been allegedly poor, particularly when it comes to importing any product from outside Ireland.’
One forecourt retailer complained: ‘Not only will it affect small businesses, but it will also make the cost of alcohol on some lines anti-competitive.
‘Some shops with large volumes can access brands at a discounted price, while others are tied to stock that’s only available to their shop model.
‘Also having to direct your customer to the nearest Re-Turn point, be that at your local multinational supermarket or some other location, will lead to loss of business and potentially job losses.’
Smaller retailers are also concerned about the cost of fitting a reverse vending machine in their shop and the upfront cost of €12,000.
Jean McCabe, of Retail Excellence, said: ‘It’s certainly been a challenge for smaller retailers to be able to have the capital for the deposit return scheme and the outlay that’s involved. There are going to be a few teething problems.’
There are worries too that as the scheme starts, many plastic bottles and cans may not have the Re-Turn logo on them and smaller shops may not have the space for a reverse vending machine.
‘The capital outlay to buy a Re-turn machine will also be a challenge for many,’ she said.
In the border region, retailers are concerned customers will cross the border to buy soft drinks and alcohol where there is no deposit required on bottles and cans.
However, the Irish Beverage Council and Drinks Ireland, which represents non-alcohol and alcohol beverage industries, welcomed the scheme.
More than 4,000 retailers have signed up for the scheme and 3,500 reverse vending machines are being installed across the country.
Green MEP Grace O’Sullivan said: ‘Ireland currently generates more than double the EU average of plastic packaging waste and this costs Irish people twice – once at the shop’s till and again when you pay to have it taken away in your bin, not to mention the environmental cost of so much waste.
‘The Deposit Return Scheme turns that model on its head and puts the consumer and nature first.’