Written answers
Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Recycling Policy
Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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90. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for an update and report on the return deposit scheme; the number of stores that are up and running; and the uptake by consumers. [11836/24]
Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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91. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in a case where bottles or cans are rejected by the return deposit scheme machine, but have the valid logo, if stores are obliged to take these items manually and issue a refund to the consumer. [11837/24]
Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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92. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in the case where abottle or can is not accepted or not returned, if the deposit stays with the retailer. [11838/24]
Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 92, inclusive, together.
The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been in operation since the 1st of February. Both the Department and Re-turn, the DRS operator, are monitoring the scheme closely and I receive regular updates on its performance.
To date:
- There are currently 2,529 retail return points across the country. The vast majority of retailers (2,302) are using automated collection via Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) while 227 retailers have opted for a manual, over-the-counter collection system.
- To date almost 7 million empty containers have been returned. Of this, 3.4 million (49%) are plastic bottles and 3.6 million (51%) are cans.
- €1.2 million has been refunded.
Customers who have been charged a deposit on a drinks container will get their deposit back when they return the empty container. Should a retailer refuse to take-back or refund a container on which a deposit has been paid, Re-turn, the DRS operator, has advised customers to contact it by email at info@re-turn.ie or by phone at (LoCall) 1800 852 752.
Deposits which are not refunded are referred to as unredeemed deposits. As set out in the DRS Regulations, unredeemed deposits are retained by Re-turn to be put back into the Scheme and used to fund the operations of the DRS.
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