Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
56. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work that has been carried out by his Department to date with respect to the introduction of a beverage container deposit and refund scheme; if there are plans to introduce such a scheme in the near future; if so, the details and timelines of such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8630/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a deposit and return scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans in 2022 is a commitment in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy which I published in September 2020. Development of the Action Plan was assisted by the deliberations of the Waste Advisory Group - a broad-based stakeholder forum which my Department chairs and which includes members from environmental NGOs, beverage producers, retailers, representatives from the waste industry and regulators. DRS was a specific topic considered by the Waste Advisory Group last year.
Since publication of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, my Department held a public consultation on design options for a DRS in November 2020 following which my officials held further bilateral engagements with various stakeholders including environmental NGOs, beverage producers, retailers and representatives from the waste industry.
A sub-group of the Waste Advisory Group has been established to input to the detailed design of the DRS and this group held its first meeting on 15th February. A second public consultation, focusing on the preferred model and draft regulations, will issue before the end of Q1 2021.
