A total of 635 million plastic bottles and aluminum cans have been returned to the Deposit Return Scheme so far.
That is according to new data from the Department of Environment, Climate, and Communications.
This equates to €110 million in deposits returned to customers. The collection rate for August was equivalent to 73% of all containers placed on the market that month.
The Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and cans was launched at the start of February this year.
Only two million vessels, or 2%, were returned for collection during that first month.
By seven months in, the number of containers returned monthly had grown 56 times higher.
It was up to 112m drinks containers during August, equivalent to 73% of the amount sold that month.
It means a total of €19m of deposits were returned to customers in August.
This rate of engagement with the scheme by the public puts Ireland well on track to achieve its EU collection target of 77% by the end of 2025, and the higher target of 90% by 2029.
The first four months were deemed to be a settling-in period for the scheme.
During that time a total of 153m drinks containers were returned.
The total returned in the first three-month period since the end of that settling-in period was double that amount.
Average monthly rates now regularly exceed 100 million bottles and cans, or about €18m of deposits refunded.
The latest Irish Business Against Litter survey results, published in June, showed a 30% reduction in drinks cans thrown away and 20% reduction in plastic bottles on streets due to the introduction of the scheme.
In recent weeks, Coastwatch reported a large reduction in plastic bottles and aluminum cans washing up on the Irish shoreline since the introduction of the scheme.
Ossian Smyth, the Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for the circular economy, said he is delighted to see that the Irish public have adapted so quickly to Deposit Return Scheme and the habit of bringing their empty containers back to retailers.
He said hitting these rates of return is a major achievement and demonstrates the trust that Irish people have in the scheme.
“We knew it would work, and this data provides a very early indication of progress. It is already having a positive impact on the Irish environment by reducing litter and making sure these recyclable containers do not end up in landfill. This is a forever scheme though and we can’t rest on our laurels.”
Ciaran Foley, the Chief Executive of Re-turn, the company that operates the scheme, said the August figures show how far the scheme has come in terms of participation and support.
“It’s particularly gratifying to see how the scheme has taken off at a grassroots level, with community and charity organisations using it for fundraising. However, we are still only at the beginning, and there is much more to do.
“The early momentum is promising, but we’re focused on building long-term success. We look forward to seeing the further positive effects of deposit return in litter prevention, community initiatives, and its contribution to a more sustainable Ireland.”
ollection rates reported for the scheme are calculated based on the volume of containers collected for recycling as a percentage of the total volume of containers placed on the Irish market.
The term “placed on the market” means the number of bottles and cans made available by producers for sale or distribution rather than actually sold.
Article Source – 635 million bottles and cans returned to Deposit Return Scheme – RTE