Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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113. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of retailers and producers currently operating the deposit return scheme; the challenges faced in the introduction of the scheme and what is being done to overcome them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47688/25]

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 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, 287 producers have registered with Re-turn. Cumulatively, these producers have registered almost 11,160 products with the scheme. 7,221 retailers have registered with Re-turn representing 12,077 individual retail premises.

Re-turn is responsible for all operational and funding matters relating to DRS.