Everything you need to know about Ireland’s deposit return scheme

Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme goes live on Thursday, February 1st.

The operator of the nationwide scheme, Re-turn, is advising that only bottles and cans purchased after 1 February are eligible for a deposit refund, as these drink containers will have had a deposit charged.

Niamh Kelly, Head of Marketing and Communications for Re-turn, said, “We are advising consumers that bottles and cans purchased before February 1 are not eligible for a deposit refund. Those who may have collected older bottles and cans should dispose of them as normal in a recycling bin.”

From February 1st onwards, when consumers purchase a drink in a plastic bottle or aluminium can featuring the Re-turn logo, they will pay a fully refundable deposit in addition to the price of the drink.

When the empty and undamaged drink containers are returned to participating shops and supermarkets nationwide, consumers will receive their full deposit refund.

Consumers can return these empty undamaged drink containers to shops and supermarkets either through a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) or manually, over the counter.

Re-turn has guidance for consumers as Ireland approaches the date.

When will I pay a deposit?

From 1 February onwards, drinks in plastic bottles and cans with the Re-turn logo will start to appear in shops and supermarkets nationwide. These drink containers will require the purchaser to pay a fully refundable deposit in addition to the price of the product.

When you finished your drink, you can return your empty undamaged container to any participating shop or supermarket nationwide.

What will I pay?

A deposit of 15 cents will apply to each container from 150ml – 500mls and a deposit of 25 cents for containers over 500ml to 3 litres.

Where can I return my bottle and cans?

The majority of retailers across the country have now registered for the Deposit Return Scheme and have set up their deposit return points. Consumers can return their empty undamaged plastic bottles and cans to participating shops and supermarkets nationwide. either through a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) or manually, over the counter.

From 1 February the website www.re-turn.ie will feature a map that indicates where to find deposit return points.

How will I get my deposit back?

Consumers receive the deposit back when they return the plastic bottle or can with the Re-turn logo that is empty and undamaged to participating shops and supermarkets nationwide. If through a reverse vending machine, consumers will be issued a voucher that can be redeemed at the till against store purchases or as a cash refund. If over the counter, retailers must check the container features the Re-turn logo and is undamaged and then provide a refund.

Consumers are advised not to crush or squeeze the plastic bottles and cans.

When can I return?

From the beginning of February, this scheme will be live. Consumers will start to be charged the refundable deposit on containers with the Re-turn logo and when finished, these containers can be returned to participating shops and supermarkets nationwide for a full deposit refund.

Re-turn is asking consumers not to store containers before the Scheme goes live as these bottles will not have the Re-turn logo and are therefore ineligible for any deposit refund as no deposit has been paid.

Can I still use my own recycling bins to dispose of plastic bottles?

While all consumers should use their recycling bins for mixed dry recyclables, we would ask that consumers return their plastic bottles and cans with the Re-turn logo to local participating shops and supermarkets to redeem their deposit.

The separate collection of these plastic bottles and cans guarantees a high quality recyclate material is returned and recycled and there is no cross contamination.  The introduction of Deposit Return is a proven method of increasing recycling rates, with great success in a number of other European countries.

What is not included in the scheme?

Not every drink container is eligible for Deposit Return. Only drinks in PET plastic bottles, aluminium & steel cans from 150ml to 3 litres are included in the Scheme. All containers included in the Scheme will feature the Re-turn logo.

Items that are not included in the deposit return scheme include:

• Any dairy drink products in plastic containers or cartons e.g. milk, yogurt drinks
• Steel and tin cans that contain foodstuffs
• Containers for cleaning supplies

These items should continue to be disposed of in a recycling bin.

Glass drink containers are also not included in the scheme and should be recycled as usual and brought to a glass and bottle bank.

Why is Ireland launching a Deposit Return Scheme?

The Deposit Return Scheme is a practical circular economy initiative that aims to create a closed-loop recycling system guaranteeing the material is returned and recycled. The EU has set Ireland a target to separate and collect 77% of plastic beverage bottles by 2025. This target will rise to 90% in 2029. We currently recycle approximately 60% of drink containers and Deposit Return is a proven method of increasing recycling rates, with great success in a number of other European countries.

Re-turn has created an FAQ page on the website for any questions which consumers may have, and they are strongly encouraged to reach out to [email protected] if they have any further queries.