Written answers
Thursday, 7 March 2024
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Recycling Policy
Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
122. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on the first month of the operation of the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11189/24]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) launched as planned on the 1st February last and has been in operation for just over a month. Both the Department and Re-turn, the DRS operator, are monitoring the scheme closely and I receive regular updates on its performance.
To date:
- 199 producers have registered with Re-turn. These producers have registered 5,900 products with the DRS scheme.
- 5,623 retailers have registered with Re-turn representing 9,798 individual retail premises.
- There are currently 2,418 retail return points across the country. The vast majority of retailers (2,202) are using automated collection via Reverse Vending Machines while 216 retailers have opted for a manual, over-the-counter collection system.
- To date 3.9 million empty containers have been returned by customers. Of this, 1.8 million (46%) are plastic bottles and 2.1 million (54%) are cans.
- €683,270 has been refunded to customers.
- The national DRS awareness campaign remains ongoing.
No comments