Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
122. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the first month of the operation of the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11189/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) launched as planned on the 1st February last and has been in operation for just over a month. Both the Department and Re-turn, the DRS operator, are monitoring the scheme closely and I receive regular updates on its performance.
To date:
- 199 producers have registered with Re-turn. These producers have registered 5,900 products with the DRS scheme.
- 5,623 retailers have registered with Re-turn representing 9,798 individual retail premises.
- There are currently 2,418 retail return points across the country. The vast majority of retailers (2,202) are using automated collection via Reverse Vending Machines while 216 retailers have opted for a manual, over-the-counter collection system.
- To date 3.9 million empty containers have been returned by customers. Of this, 1.8 million (46%) are plastic bottles and 2.1 million (54%) are cans.
- €683,270 has been refunded to customers.
- The national DRS awareness campaign remains ongoing.
