Re-turn scheme sees 750 million deposits of drinks containers in just 10 months

The new return scheme for cans and plastic bottles has generated 750 million deposits of drinks containers in just 10 months.

Since the scheme was launched on February 1 past, three quarters of a billion returns have been made at 2,500 active reverse vending machines.

There were 1,800 reverse vending machines at the launch and the scheme continues to grow, according to Deposit Return Scheme operator Re-turn.

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It said more than 750 million returns were made up to Wednesday of this week – helping to make this year’s litter volume the lowest in a quarter of a century for cans and plastic bottles.

The Deposit Return Scheme brings together all parties involved in the manufacture, selling, and consumption of beverages.

A scheme spokesperson said: "As uptake and adoption of the scheme continues to grow, the Re-turn network of Deposit Return Points has also increased by more than 700 since its launch.

"There are now over 2,500 Reverse Vending Machines and over 300 manual collection return points nationwide.

"Over €83,000 has been raised to date for Return for Children, the Re-turn charity initiative with 546,000 containers donated since the initiative started in June.

"Return for Children directly supports six national children’s charities, Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack and Jill, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, and Make-A-Wish Ireland.

"Collectively, these six charities support over 165,000 vulnerable and seriously ill children in communities across Ireland."

She added: "Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme aims to move away from the 'take, make and dispose' culture to one of returning valuable materials and keeping them in the economy for as long as possible.

"Through the Deposit Return Scheme, aluminium cans can be recycled infinitely while plastic bottles can be recycled multiple times, reducing the need for the use of virgin materials.

"By returning drinks containers, consumers are contributing to a sustainable future and guaranteeing that materials are recycled into new drinks containers.

"Since its launch, Re-turn has reported month-on-month growth in container returns."

The company said that environmental benefits are boosted even further if households return used containers rather than dumping them in recycle bins.

The spokesperson said: "By returning all Re-turn logo drinks containers through deposit return points, rather than placing them in the recycling bin, consumers are ensuring the separate collection of a higher quality recyclate.

"We can increase our recyclate quality to 98%, from 80% before the introduction of the scheme.

"The scheme is continuing to play a significant role in reducing landfill and litter around the country."

Re-turn’s chief Ciaran Foley said the figures, which show 750m deposits, are a sign of its success and how it has been "embraced".

He said: "This significant milestone speaks to how widely the scheme has been embraced by the people of Ireland.

"Coastwatch Ireland confirmed that this year has seen the lowest average bottle and can count in 25 years of the marine litter survey."

He added: "We look forward to seeing the further positive effects the Scheme will have over the coming months."

The Re-turn company was established by beverage producers and retailers to fulfil their obligations under the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021.

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