The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a producer-led scheme and is fully funded by the beverage industry. No public or Government funding is used for the operation of DRS.
Under the DRS Regulations, it is the responsibility of producers to establish a DRS and to nominate an operator of the scheme for approval by the Minister. Re-turn is the new, not-for-profit company set up by the beverage industry to manage their obligations under the Regulations.
The DRS Regulations also place obligations on retailers to charge their customers a deposit for every in-scope drink sold, to take back the empty drink container and to refund the deposit when it is returned for recycling.
In providing a take-back service, retailers have two options - manual (over the counter) collection or automated collection through the use of reverse vending machines (RVMs). All retailers will receive a handling fee from Re-turn for providing a take-back service which has been calibrated to offset the cost of collection infrastructure, retail floor space, staff costs and security.
In addition to handling fees, Re-turn is also providing financial assistance to small retailers for the installation of RVMs. Details of these supports, as well as other useful information to help retailers prepare for DRS, is available on Re-turn’s at re-turn.ie/retailer/ or by contacting Re-turn at retailer@re-turn.ie.
