Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1003. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of introducing a deposit and return scheme for plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4937/20]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Government is determined to reduce the excessive use of plastics. As a first step, the purchase of certain single use plastics has been banned throughout the public service. We are committed to increase recycling rates of plastics from 34% now to 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030, along with other EU member states, and to phase out non-recyclable plastics entirely. A Deposit and Return Scheme is one option proposed for EU member states to consider as a means of increasing the collection of plastic beverage containers and achieve the new 90% target for this waste stream identified in the Single Use Plastic Directive.  

In 2019 I commissioned a study to examine how Ireland can deliver a 90% collection target for single use beverage containers, including plastic bottles, as required under the Single Use Plastics Directive. This study examines the possibility of introducing a Deposit and Return Scheme and how this might operate in an Irish context. The introduction of an initiative such as a Deposit and Return Scheme needs to be carefully considered in the context of potential benefits, expected costs and impacts identified to enable evidence-based decision making in this matter and having regard to other potential measures that would facilitate the 90% collection rate. The study into how Ireland can achieve the 90% collection target has been received and is currently being reviewed in the context of developing a new Waste Action Plan.   

The introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme was also considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and the Environment in 2018. The estimated set up and running costs were identified as between €76m to €116m net cost, without consideration of the impacts on the existing kerbside collection and existing household subsidy.