Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
171. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of, and the timeline for, the introduction of a deposit return scheme; if he plans to include glass in the scheme or has plans to introduce glass in the scheme at a later stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17851/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe roadmap for the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans was outlined in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in September 2020. In November last year, I signed the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021, providing the legal framework for the scheme, in particular the terms under which a scheme operator may be approved. The regulations also set out the obligations that will fall to producers, retailers and return point operators under the scheme, which will be launched later this year.
The introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme will assist in reducing single use plastics, thus helping Ireland meet EU targets while promoting a wider circular economy. Materials to be included in the scheme will be those for which Ireland faces immediate, challenging EU recycling and separate collection targets. The scheme will therefore focus on plastic bottles and aluminium beverage cans. Recycling rates in Ireland for glass are significantly above current EU targets. The Regulations provide that other materials may be considered for inclusion in the Deposit Return Scheme when the scheme is fully established.
