Since the launch of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) on 1 February 2024, 900 million bottles and cans have been returned nationwide.
Figures released by Re-Turn, the operator of Ireland’s DRS, showed that 900 million bottles and cans had been returned since the scheme was introduced.
Since the scheme’s launch, Re-turn’s network of Deposit Return Points has increased by over 800. There are now 2,600 “reverse vending machines” (RVMs) operational and 470 manual return points across Ireland.
The increase in the number of RVMs included the installation of four new RVMs at Cork Airport in November 2024.
Re-turn said two RVMs on-site allow passengers to collect deposits, and the other two RVMs accept plastic bottles and can deposits on behalf of Return for Children, a charity fundraising initiative supported by Re-turn.
This is an exciting milestone as we celebrate the first year since the DRS began its transition period.
Re-turn said that through the DRS, aluminium cans can be recycled “infinitely,” while PET plastic bottles can be recycled multiple times.
In Ireland, a survey by Irish Business Against Litter, a coalition of businesses against littering, found that the DRS had led to a 35% reduction in the number of Irish towns being described as “littered”.
Analysis by Reloop has found that the average return rate for European countries with a DRS is 90% – with Germany showing the best results at 98%.
CEO of Re-turn Ciaran Foley said the early impact of the scheme was “undeniable” and pointed to research by IBAL that showed there had been a 50% reduction in plastic bottles and can litter since the scheme’s launch.
Commenting on the progress of the scheme, Foley said: “This is an exciting milestone as we celebrate the first year since the DRS began its transition period.
“The achievement of nearly one billion plastic bottles and cans returned is testament to the growing support of the Irish people.”
