Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
113. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it is legal for shops and off-licences to add a 15 cents deposit charge to cans which have no deposit return logo on the product and which cannot be accepted by the deposit return scheme machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10121/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been introduced to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and cans and to deliver on our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those products.
Under the DRS Regulations, retailers are required to charge consumers a deposit for every drink sold, to take-back empty containers (unless displaying a take-back exemption) and to refund the deposit to customers.
In recognition of the stock management challenges faced by producers, distributors and retailers around the introduction of DRS and to avoid unnecessary waste, a short transition period is in place to manage the selling off of old stock and the introduction of new stock. This means that retailers can continue to sell drinks that do not have the national DRS (Re-turn) logo.
The transition period will last for 4 months and from 1st June 2024 retailers can only sell drinks containers which include the Re-turn logo.
During the transition period, customers who are charged a deposit on a drinks container that does not bear the Re-turn logo will automatically get their deposit back when they return the empty container to a reverse vending machine.
Should a retailer refuse to take-back or refund an empty container on which a deposit has been paid, Re-turn, the DRS operator, has advised that consumers should contact it by email at info@re-turn.ie or by phone at (LoCall) 1800 852 752.
