Deposit Return Scheme For Plastic Bottles, Aluminium Or Steel Cans Begins Today

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Repro Free: 01/02/2024 Pictured at today's launch of Ireland's Deposit Return Scheme was Niamh Kelly, Head of Marketing & Communications, Re-turn with Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, Tony Keohane, Chairman of Re-turn and Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn. Picture Andres Poveda

Customers in Tipperary are being reminded that from today plastic bottles aluminium or steel that feature the Re-turn logo will include a deposit in addition to the price of the drink.

This is part of the iintroducing of Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles, aluminium or steel cans in Ireland..

The drinks containers included in the scheme are PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans between 150mls and 3 litres.

A deposit of 15c will apply to containers from 150ml to 500ml and a deposit of 25c for containers over 500mls to 3 litres.

Retailers have until July to switch over their stock to items with the Re-Turn Logo. 

Consumers may return containers to a retailer that takes them back over the counter or through the use of a Reverse Vending Machine.

The scheme is to help increase Ireland’s recycling rates and is also expected to contribute to less litter.

Consumers are advised not to flatten their containers as this may make it impossible for the machines to scan the code on the container.

Opponents of the Scheme are highlighting that the Scheme will increase costs for consumers if they fail to return the container to redeem the deposit with family pack purchases a particular cause for concern in respect of the extra cost to consumers.

Repro Free: 01/02/2024 Pictured at today’s launch of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme was Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, Tony Keohane, Chairman of Re-turn and Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn. Picture Andres Poveda