Deposit Return Scheme - how does it work?
Ireland's Deposit Return Scheme goes live on February 1st and from this date onwards, when people buy a drink in a plastic bottle or aluminium can that features the Re-turn logo, they will pay a fully refundable deposit, in addition to the price of the drink.
From the beginning of February, drinks in plastic bottles and cans with the Re-turn logo will start to appear in shops and supermarkets nationwide. These drinks containers will require the purchaser to pay a fully refundable deposit in addition to the price of the product. When finished your drink, you can return your empty undamaged container to any participating shop or supermarket nationwide.
To prevent waste, for a limited period there will be some stock of plastic bottles and cans without the Re-turn logo. As consumers will not have paid a deposit on these plastic bottles and cans, they can be placed in recycling bins.
A deposit of 15 cent will apply to each container from 150ml to 500mls and a deposit of 25 cent for containers over 500ml to three litres.
Most shops across the country have now registered for the Deposit Return Scheme and have set up their deposit return points. Cucstomers can return their empty undamaged plastic bottles and cans to participating shops and supermarkets nationwide, either through a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) or manually, over the counter. The website www.re-turn. ie will feature a map that indicates where to find deposit return points.
People will receive their deposit back when they return the plastic bottle or can with the Re-turn logo that is empty and undamaged to participating shops and supermarkets nationwide. If through a reverse vending machine, consumers will be issued a voucher that can be redeemed at the till against store purchases or as a cash refund. If over the counter, retailers must check the drinks container features the Re-turn logo and is undamaged and then provide a refund.
Consumers are advised not to crush or squeeze the plastic bottles and cans.
Re-turn is asking consumers not to store drinks containers before the scheme goes live as these bottles will not have the Re-turn logo and are therefore ineligible for any deposit refund as no deposit has been paid.
While all consumers should use their recycling bins for mixed dry recyclables, we would ask that consumers return their plastic bottles and cans with the Re-turn logo to local participating shops and supermarkets to redeem their deposit.
The separate collection of these plastic bottles and cans guarantees a 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.
Not every drinks container is eligible for Deposit Return. Only drinks containers in PET plastic bottles, aluminium and steel cans from 150ml to three litres are included in the scheme. All containers included in the scheme will feature the Re-turn logo.
Items that are not included in the deposit return scheme include any dairy drinks products in plastic containers or cartons, for example milk and yogurt drinks; steel and tin cans that contain foodstuffs; or containers for cleaning supplies. These items should continue to be disposed of in a recycling bin.
Glass drinks containers are also not included in the scheme and should be recycled as usual and brought to a glass and bottle bank.
The EU has set Ireland a target to separate and collect 77% of plastic beverage bottles by 2025. This target will rise to 90% in 2029. We currently recycle between 60%70% of drinks containers and Deposit Return is a proven method of increasing recycling rates, with great success in a number of other European countries.
Re-turn has created an FAQ page on the website for any questions which consumers may have and they are strongly encouraged to reach out to info@re-turn.ie if they have any further queries.