A national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been introduced to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium/steel cans and to ensure we meet our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those containers.
The Single Use Plastics Directive sets a 90% recycling target by 2029, with an interim target of 77% by 2025. While I fully expect those targets will be achieved or exceeded, it is unlikely that every container for which a deposit has been paid will be returned through DRS and a small percentage of containers will continue to be recycled through kerbside collection and civic amenity sites or will be discarded as general waste or litter. It is not possible to estimate the portion of bottles and cans that will continue to be recycled through kerbside collections.
Deposits which are not refunded to customers are referred to as unredeemed deposits. As per the DRS Regulations, all unredeemed deposits will be retained by Re-turn, the DRS operator, to be put back into the Scheme and used to fund the operations of the DRS.
Re-turn has committed to continually review accessibility practices considering the needs of all users. This includes the early convening of a consultative group to ensure that the concerns of all parties, in particular those with accessibility challenges, are heard and addressed. I understand that Re-Turn has invited a number of disability organisations to participate.
Individuals with accessibility issues who may face difficulties returning bottles and cans to their local retailer may contact Re-Turn directly. My Department and Re-Turn will monitor this issue closely as the scheme builds momentum in the coming months.
