Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In 2020, after the adoption of the Single Use Plastics Directive (which imposed a 90% separate collection rate for plastic beverage bottles by 2029), my Department commissioned Eunomia to analyse options for improving the capture rate of beverage containers in Ireland. Eunomia’s report was published in October 2020. As well as looking at alternative options, this report looks at the feasibility and impacts of introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Ireland. Public consultations also took place in 2020 and 2021.

Retailers will play a vital role in the DRS and will charge the consumer a deposit for every drink sold, take back the empty drinks container and refund the deposit to the consumer when it is returned for recycling.All retailers will receive a handling fee from Re-turn for providing a take-back service. Handling fees are intended to offset the cost of collection infrastructure, retail floor space, staff costs and security. The level of handling fee payable is determined by Re-turn and is subject to independent, third-party verification.

In addition to handling fees, a number of other supports are in place to assist small retailers, including exemptions from take-back services and financial support for the installation of Reverse Vending Machines. Details of these supports, as well as other useful information to help retailers prepare for DRS, is available at re-turn.ie/retailer/.