Introduction
A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a recycling system that targets commonly littered items – usually drinks containers. Consumers pay a small deposit on items such as plastic bottles, which can then be refunded at a return point. Return points are usually located at retailer sites that sell similar products. DRSs have been particularly successful in Scandinavian countries, which report over 90% recycling rates of in-scope items.
The DRS in the Republic of Ireland went live for consumers on 1 February 2024.
The Republic of Ireland DRS is managed separately to those in other countries in the UK, including Northern Ireland, and will operate slightly differently as summarised in this article.
What we know so far
Towards the end of 2022 the Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, launched Ireland’s national DRS. It was confirmed that the DRS will go live to consumers in February 2024 and will include PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans between 150ml and 3 litres. A deposit of 15c will apply to containers 500mls or less and a deposit of 25c for each container above 500ml.
The scheme is operated by Deposit Return Scheme Ireland CLG, trading as Re-turn, who were appointed in July 2022. Re-turn developed the required IT, infrastructure and communications systems over the course of 2023, including:
- Design, procurement and implementation of a digital DRS platform
- Registration of producers and products
- Registration of retailers and other return point operators
- Sourcing and installation of reverse vending machines
- Procurement of contracts for the collection, processing and recycling of material
