Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
128. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has set a date from which all sales of cans or PET bottles must have a deposit paid; if he has discussed with retailers whether products without the logo and bar code printed on the container can apply a deposit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18591/24]
View answerIn recognition of the stock management challenges faced by producers, distributors and retailers around the introduction of Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and to avoid unnecessary waste, a short transition period is in place to manage the selling off of old stock and the introduction of new stock. This means that retailers can continue to sell drinks that do not have the national DRS (Re-turn) logo.
The transition period will last for 4 months and from 1st June 2024 retailers can only sell drinks containers which include the Re-turn logo.
During the transition period, customers who are charged a deposit on a drinks container that does not bear the Re-turn logo will automatically get their deposit back when they return the empty container to a reverse vending machine.
Should a retailer refuse to take-back or refund an empty container on which a deposit has been paid, Re-turn, the DRS operator, has advised that consumers should contact it by email at info@re-turn.ie or by phone at (LoCall) 1800 852 752.
