Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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287. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the number of retailers and producers currently operating the deposit return scheme; to outline any challenges faced in the introduction of the scheme, and efforts to overcome them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43530/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) was introduced in February 2024 to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and cans and to deliver on our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those products. Participation in DRS in its first year has been very positive. Re-turn was set up by beverage producers to meet their obligations under the DRS Regulations and is a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee.

To date, 280 producers have registered with Re-turn. Cumulatively, these producers have registered almost 10,547 products with the scheme. 7,115 retailers have registered with Re-turn representing 11,915 individual retail premises.

Re-turn is responsible for all operational and funding matters relating to DRS. While I have no function in the day-to-day business operations of this company, officials from my Department monitor performance of the scheme closely and are satisfied with the efforts Re-turn has made to support producers and retailers in meeting their obligations and making the scheme a success.