Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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141. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the containers returned via the deposit return scheme are being recycled in Ireland; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7069/25]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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142. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the facility in which the containers returned via the deposit return scheme are being recycled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7070/25]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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144. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there was a tender process for the collection of the containers returned via the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7072/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take PQs 141, 142 and 144 together.

The collection, processing and recycling of containers returned via the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is an operational matter for the DRS operator, Re-turn. While I have no function in relation to the award of contracts, I can confirm a tender process for the collection and processing of DRS material was completed by Re-turn and contracts were awarded in 2023 to Full Circle Packaging and Limerick Polymers Production (LPP) respectively. All material is processed at LPP’s facility in Limerick, after which it is sent to licensed facilities in Ireland, the UK or Europe for recycling.

One of the significant benefits of DRS is the potential to establish Ireland's first bottle-to-bottle recycling plant on the island. When we have sufficient and consistent supply of high-quality material available, it may become commercially viable to operate a recycling facility in Ireland.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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143. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the value of unclaimed deposits from the first year of the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7071/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As with all Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), deposits which are not redeemed are retained by the operator and are reinvested exclusively for the development of the scheme. As the return rate improves, the level of unredeemed deposits will reduce considerably however the funds available are invested in a range of measures to promote and improve collection rates including:

• Improving reverse vending machine (RVM) coverage and optimising convenience for consumers
• Enhancing accessibility to maximise the Scheme for all users
• Supporting larger, bulk-fed machines enabling quicker, higher volume returns
• Communications and awareness, supporting the consumer’s understanding of DRS and the benefits of a separate collection system for these materials.