By Jessica Lee
The 1st of February 2025 marked one year since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), when Ireland joined the 15 other European countries already participating in the scheme to recycle single-use beverage packaging.
Data collected by Re-Turn, the company that facilitates the scheme, has shown that over a billion plastic containers have been collected and a figure of more than €110 million in deposits have been refunded to consumers.
In addition, more than €90,000 has been raised for the Return for Children fundraiser. Funds raised from the initiative help to support several charities including LauraLynn Children’s Hospice and Barnardos Ireland.
The data also shows that Ireland is on track to reach the EU collection target of 77% by the end of 2025, with the hope that this will increase to a rate of 90% by 2029.
The scheme was polarising in the beginning, some embraced it while others swore, they would never participate in it.
My father was the latter.
If you would have told me this time last year that my dad would be the Deposit Return Scheme’s biggest champion, I would have laughed in your face.
I must admit I was on the fence about the idea too, however we both have since come around to it.
Three bags-for-life how now been allocated to house the empty cans and bottles, in their designated corner of the kitchen awaiting return day.
The weekly trip to our local supermarket runs like clockwork. When the bags have been filled to the brim, Dad puts them in the boot of the car. Then my parents make the pilgrimage to the supermarket- Aldi is the shop of choice.
“The machines are the fastest and are rarely out of order,” according to my father, Robert.
It is also worth noting that since the introduction of the DRS, it is strictly forbidden for any cans or bottles to be crushed, a habit I was quick to drop for fear of ruining the barcode – resulting in a loss of 15 cent.
To some, 15 cent may seem insignificant, however, when added up over several months can accumulate into a large sum of money.
This has been proven by many clever customers over the festive season who put their returned deposit onto Dunnes Stores gift cards. When it came time to do the big shop for Christmas, these customers knocked hundreds of euros off their totals at the checkout.
Overall, the Deposit Return Scheme is undoubtedly a huge success. There is less litter on the streets and recycling has increased. Its success is also a sign of Ireland’s commitment to reaching EU targets as well as being more environmentally friendly