Ireland's endeavour towards a sustainable future marks a significant milestone with the successful initiation of its national deposit return scheme. Spearheaded by Re-turn, the scheme has garnered notable traction within its inaugural month, reflecting a promising shift towards enhanced recycling practices.
Under the stewardship of Re-turn, Ireland's national deposit return scheme has witnessed remarkable participation, with over two million drinks containers returned within the first month alone. Notably, the scheme reached a zenith on 29th February 2024, with 200,999 containers returned, underscoring a burgeoning acceptance among consumers.
Chief Executive's Encouragement
Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, lauds the enthusiastic response of consumers, emphasising the pivotal role they play in advancing recycling initiatives. With over 670,000 containers collected during a single weekend, Foley expresses optimism regarding Ireland's trajectory towards surpassing recycling targets, aiming for a commendable 77% by 2025.
“We are committed to delivering the Deposit Return Scheme and helping Ireland reach its recycling targets of 77% by 2025, and early indications suggest we can reach this ahead of schedule.”
“From the 1st of June, all drink containers in plastic bottles or aluminium cans from 150ml to 3 litres will feature the Re-turn logo and will be accepted by a Reverse Vending Machine,” Foley exclaimed.
Infrastructure and future outlook
The infrastructure supporting Ireland's deposit return scheme encompasses 2,193 reverse vending machines dispersed across 1,380 return locations. This concerted effort aims to bolster separate collection and recycling rates for single-use drinks containers, aligning with EU directives mandating a 77% separation and collection rate by 2025, escalating to 90% by 2029.
Transition period and consumer assurance
Acknowledging the transitional phase, Foley assures consumers of a seamless experience, promising full refunds for deposited containers during this period. With the imminent introduction of the Re-turn logo on all eligible drink containers from June 1st, clarity and accessibility are poised to augment further, facilitating widespread participation.
Global perspective and achievements
Drawing parallels with European counterparts, Ireland's debut in deposit return schemes showcases robust participation rates akin to successful launches in other nations. Notable examples include Romania and Latvia, where exponential growth in container returns underscores the efficacy of such initiatives in driving sustainable practices. If you wish to learn about such green initiatives in the international aluminium industry in more detail, have a look at AL Circle’s free report, Sustainability in the Global Aluminium Sector.
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