Deposit Return Scheme hits milestone with 900m bottles and cans returned
Re-turn celebrates nearly one billion plastic bottles and cans returned in the first year of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, marking a significant step towards sustainability and reducing litter across the country
Print15 January 2025
Re-turn, the operator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, today announced that more than 900 million plastic bottles and cans have been returned since the Scheme launched last year.
As we near the one-year anniversary since the launch of the Deposit Return Schemes transition period, uptake and adoption of the Scheme continue to grow.
In December, over five million plastic bottle and can returns were recorded on a number of occasions.
Deposit Return Points
The Re-turn network of Deposit Return Points has also increased by more than 800 since its launch.
There are now more than 2600 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs).
Additionally, there are now over 470 manual return points nationwide.
The increase in the number of RVMs included the installation of four new RVMs at Cork Airport in November 2024, two RVMs on-site facilitate the return of deposits to passengers, and two RVMs accept plastic bottle and can deposits on behalf of Return for Children, a charity fundraising initiative supported by Re-turn.
Circulating materials
As a circular economy initiative, Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme aims to move away from the ‘take, make and dispose’ culture to one of returning valuable materials and keeping them in the economy for as long as possible.
Through the Deposit Return Scheme, aluminium cans can be recycled infinitely while PET plastic bottles can be recycled multiple times, reducing the need for the use of virgin materials.
By returning drinks containers, consumers are contributing to a sustainable future and guaranteeing that materials are recycled into new drinks containers.
By returning all Re-turn logo drinks containers through deposit return points rather than placing them in the recycling bin, consumers are ensuring the separate collection of a higher quality recyclate.
By returning all in-scope drinks containers to deposit return points, Ireland can increase its recyclate quality to 98%, from 80% before the introduction of the Scheme.
The Scheme continues to play a significant role in reducing litter around the country, as seen in the recent surveys conducted by Coastwatch* and IBAL**.
Growing support
“This is an exciting milestone as we celebrate the first year since the Deposit Return Scheme began its transition period,” said Ciaran Foley, CEO, Re-turn.
The achievement of nearly one billion plastic bottles and cans returned is testament to the growing support of the Irish people.
The early impact is undeniable – recent research from IBAL shows almost a 50% reduction in plastic bottle and can litter on Irish streets already.
“Additionally, over 2,000 local initiatives have been launched to raise funds for clubs and charities, making a tangible and positive difference in communities nationwide.
“This 900 million milestone is a fantastic achievement and a sign of even greater things to come,” concluded Foley.
Communities and event organisers who want to fundraise through the Re-turn logo plastic bottle and can collections for ‘Return for Children’ or their own chosen charities can get further guidance on how to do so by contacting communities@re-turn.ie.
Read more: Deposit Return Scheme hailed as a positive success In Cork
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