IRELAND HAS RECENTLY introduced a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across the country.

As part of the scheme, a small deposit fee has been added to cans and bottles that will be refunded to the customer once the container is returned. It’s hoped that this new initiative will see a dramatic reduction in litter and an increase in the amount of plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans we recycle. 

Purchasing a drink in plastic bottles and aluminium or steel cans that feature the Re-turn logo will mean paying the deposit. You must return the container empty and undamaged to participating retailers nationwide to get your full deposit back.

In addition to a refundable deposit on Re-turn logo bottles and cans, during the transition period, you may be charged on drinks containers that don’t have a Re-turn logo but remember, if you pay a deposit, you’ll get it back when returned to any of the Reverse Vending Machines in participating shops nationwide.

The Reverse Vending Machine will issue a voucher that can be used against a store purchase or redeemed for cash at the till.

For drink containers with a 150ml to 500ml capacity, the deposit fee is 15c. For containers sized between 500mls and 3 litres containers, it costs 25c. 

You can find out where to return your empty drink containers here. 

With the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme, Ireland has joined the likes of Germany and Sweden, who operate similar schemes. The scheme aligns with other circular economy initiatives in Ireland that aim 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.

Currently, Ireland uses 1.9 billion bottles and cans a year. As things stand, not enough of these are being recycled, meaning we are behind on EU recycling targets for 2025 and 2030.

To test your knowledge of the scheme, we’ve put together a quiz in the above video. See how much you know when it comes to the Deposit Return Scheme.