What can be expected of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme?

Republic of Ireland's planned deposit return scheme (DRS) has just opened for registration to producers and retailers.

The announcement, made by Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, paves the way for the scheme which launches in February 2024 and aims to increase recycling of the 1.9 billion drinks bottles and cans that are consumed each year in Ireland.

Retailers and producers are now required to register with Re-turn, the not-for-profit company set up by beverage producers. The company has been granted the legal standing to establish Ireland's DRS and manage formal engagement with producers, retailers and other operators’.

According to Re-turn, all retailers that sell ‘in scope’ drinks – PET plastic bottles and aluminium/steel cans from 150ml to three litres – must register with them, in order to fulfil their ‘environmental and legislative responsibilities’.

Under the Scheme, a deposit of 15 cents will apply to containers of 500mls or less and a deposit of 25 cents for each container above 500ml.

In 2020, a poll commissioned by environmental charity Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment (VOICE) revealed that 88 per cent of the population in the Republic of Ireland favour an ‘all-in’ DRS. This ‘all-in’ approach would have included the collection of metal cans, plastic water bottles, plastic milk bottles, glass bottles, coffee cups, and drinks cartons and pouches.

Under the EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive, Ireland must ensure the separate collection of 77 per cent of plastic beverage bottles placed on the market by 2025, rising to 90 per cent in 2029.

Tony Keohane, Chair of DRS Ireland, commented: "Deposit return schemes are a proven success in over 40 other jurisdictions around the world, including 12 in Europe, and will help us reach our recycling targets. We look forward to continued collaboration with producers and retailers in establishing a Deposit Return Scheme that delivers significant environmental benefits for everyone."

Re-turn states that in February 2024, when consumers buy a drink in a plastic bottle, aluminium or steel can that features the Re-turn logo, they will pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink. When consumers return their empty, undamaged container to retail outlets that fall under the obligation, they will get a full deposit back in full.

According to the Government's Consultation Document and Re-turn, the system will likely work as follows:

Re-turn says that the monetary value placed on bottles and cans through the scheme initiates an incentive to recycle them. If the buyer of a beverage decides not to recycle the product that they paid a deposit for and instead throws it away, someone else may pick it up and return it to a retailer to claim the deposit refund.

It is expected that all retailers will have an obligation to accept materials covered by the scheme, regardless of whether the container was purchased on its premises or not.

What is Re-turn?

In 2021, the Minister For Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan T.C., signed the legislative regulations for the introduction of a DRS in Ireland. DRS CLG, trading under the new name Re-turn, is the new system administrator appointed to oversee and manage the operation of the DRS.

Development of IT, infrastructure and communication systems is expected to be delivered by Re-turn over the course of 2023 – including: