Re-turn, the operator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), has announced that over 500 million plastic bottles and cans have been returned since the scheme launched on 1 February 2024.
There are now over 2,500 Reverse Vending Machines, an increase of 1,800 from launch, and over 350 manual collection return points nationwide as part of the Re-turn network.
The milestone was reached on Sunday 8 September after the “busiest day” for returns with 4.32 million containers brought back in one day, Re-turn said.
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, with special responsibility for Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, reacted: “The DRS has really made itself at home in Ireland. Already, it seems like we have been doing this forever.
“To reach our EU collection and recycling targets, we need to build on this great start but I’m confident that we can get there by working together.”
Since the launch of the DRS, Re-turn has reported month-on-month growth in container returns.
Monthly drinks container returns reported:
- 2 million containers in February.
- 21 million containers in March.
- 51 million containers in April.
- 78 million containers in May.
- 91 million containers in June.
- 103 million containers in July.
- 111 million containers in August.
Daily average of drinks container returns reported:
- 69,000 containers a day in February.
- 670,000 containers a day in March.
- 7 million containers a day in April.
- 5 million containers a day in May.
- 3 million containers a day in June.
- 2 million containers a day in July.
- 6 million containers a day in August.
Commenting on the progress of the Scheme and its future, Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, said: “Re-turn is incredibly proud of how the scheme has been embraced by the people of Ireland, and this significant milestone indicates how far it has come in terms of participation from the public.
“It is performing beyond our expectations, and it has been particularly gratifying to see how it has taken off at a grass-roots level among community and charity organisations utilising the scheme for fundraising.
“We look forward to seeing the further positive effects the scheme will have over the coming months in terms of litter prevention, community initiatives and how it will contribute to a more sustainable Ireland.”
