Starting today, consumers in Ireland can help boost plastic recycling rates by returning their PET bottles in a new deposit return scheme (DRS).
The DRS in Ireland covers drinks in cans and PET bottles, excluding dairy, featuring a ‘Re-turn’ logo and ranging from 0.15 to 3 litres in size. Consumers pay a deposit of €0.15 for containers 0.15 to 0.5 litres in size, and €0.25 for those over 0.5 litres. This deposit is refunded when consumers return the empty can or bottle to any retailer that sells beverages. Irish retailers can choose to handle container returns manually or automate collection through reverse vending machines (RVM). The RVM will issue a voucher that can be redeemed at the till against store purchase or for a cash deposit refund.
The scheme is being delivered by Dublin-based Re-turn, a company established by beverage producers and retailers in order to fulfil their obligations under the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021. The scheme is funded through producer fees for each product placed on the market.