Ireland’s DRS administrator publishes guidance ahead of launch

Forward of Eire launching its deposit return scheme (DRS) on 1 February 2024, the scheme’s operator Re-Flip has printed steering for shoppers.

From February, when Irish shoppers buy a drink in a plastic bottle or aluminium can that options the Re-turn emblem, they’ll pay a totally refundable deposit along with the worth of the drink. Drinks in plastic bottles and cans with the Re-turn emblem will start to be rolled out in retailers and supermarkets nationwide in February. 

A deposit of 15 cents will apply to every container from 150ml – 500mls and a deposit of 25 cents for containers over 500ml to three litres. Glass drinks containers will not be included within the scheme. As soon as shoppers have completed their drink, they will return the empty undamaged container to any collaborating store or grocery store nationwide to redeem their deposits.

Re-Flip says the vast majority of retailers throughout Eire registered for the DRS have arrange their deposit return factors. Shoppers can return their empty undamaged plastic bottles and cans to collaborating retailers and supermarkets nationwide both via a Reverse Merchandising Machine (RVM) or over-the-counter.

To forestall waste, Re-urn says for a restricted interval, from 1 February there might be some inventory of plastic bottles and cans with out its emblem. As shoppers is not going to have paid a deposit on these plastic bottles and cans, they are often positioned in recycling bins.

Ossian Smyth, the Minister of State with accountability for Communications and Round Economic system, launched Eire’s nationwide DRS on 28 November 2022.

Talking on the launch, Smyth mentioned: “The DRS is an thrilling new, round initiative which is able to rework the way in which we take into consideration empty drinks bottles and cans. The refundable deposit will incentivise us to return these containers so producers could make new bottles out of outdated bottles and new cans out of outdated cans, saving supplies, and vitality and lowering litter.

“The Scheme is a large endeavor for producers and retailers and Re-turn, the producer-led firm, who’ve proven nice dedication and management in coming collectively to develop it.”

Re-Flip says the EU has set Eire a goal to separate and accumulate 77% of plastic beverage bottles by 2025, which is able to rise to 90% in 2029.