Eamon Michael Ryan, an Irish Green Party politician, has reportedly proposed a new idea to give people 20 cents a can for returning their empties. Ryan, who has also served as a Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport, is proposing the idea to boost recycling numbers. Ryan believes the deposit return scheme will see consumers able to bring back empty aluminium cans or plastic bottles.
But before introducing the new scheme, the Minister intends to acquire feedback from punters and the industry, and for that matter, he has launched a public consultation process.
He said: “If we are to get the benefits of a circular economy, we need to adapt our approach to how we use and manage our resources.”
“We must strive to keep resources in circulation for as long as possible and the introduction of a DRS is a first step in this as we need to collect and recycle more plastic bottles and aluminium cans,” he added.
“It will also help to reduce litter and will ensure we meet the EU targets which are coming down the tracks. This consultation paper is the first step in this process and I hope interested stakeholders and members of the public take the time to consider the issues around DRS and support its introduction,” said Mr Ryan.
In the new scheme, refundable deposit will be applied to beverage containers to incentivise consumers to return them. The public consultation paper suggests a sum of €0.20.
A department spokesman said: “The primary function of a DRS is to increase recycling rates and support the circular economy by keeping materials in productive use and reducing demand for new materials.”
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