Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
139. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for a detailed update on the introduction of laws with regard to recycling plastic bottles and aluminium cans; to outline progress on the Government’s legislation in this area; and when new regulations for recycling will be introduced and become active for the public to participate in. [47273/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAround 1.9 billion drinks containers are consumed in Ireland each year. Drinks containers are typically consumed on the go and are often thrown away in mixed waste or littered rather than being recycled. A national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is being introduced to encourage more people to recycle bottles and cans and to ensure we meet our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those materials under EU Single Use Plastics and Packaging legislation.
In November 2021, the Deposit Return Scheme Regulations (S.I. No. 599 of 2021) were signed. These Regulations made it the responsibility of beverage producers to establish a DRS and to nominate a DRS operator for approval by the Minister.
Deposit Return Scheme Ireland (trading as Re-turn) was established by the Irish beverage industry in February 2022 as a new, not-for-profit company to fulfil their obligations under the DRS Regulations. I approved an application from Re-turn to establish and operate a DRS under national regulations on 1st July 2022.
This approval was a vital foundational element for the project, giving Re-turn the legal standing to establish a DRS and commence formal engagement with producers, retailers and other operators.
DRS was launched in November 2022, when registrations opened for producers and retailers. This is a major project involving the development of complex IT, infrastructure and communication systems and Re-turn has been working with all relevant stakeholders over the course of 2023 to prepare for go-live on 1st February 2024.
Further regulations are currently being drafted for my signature to address operational requirements such as the deposit amount, minimum sizing of in-scope containers and retailer exemptions. I will sign these regulations in the coming weeks.
