Re-turn – the operator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) – today announced 1 billion drinks containers returned by the public as part of the scheme.
The 1 billionth drinks container was returned to Lidl, Kilcarbery, Dublin on Tuesday 4 February, just after the first anniversary of the scheme coming into effect.
In the first month of the scheme – February 2024 – consumers returned two million containers. Now, the scheme has seen multiple days that exceed 5 million returns.
Since Re-turn’s charity initiative Return For Children launched in June, drinks containers donated to the initiative in public events has raised €90,000 to date.
Return For Children supports six children’s charities: Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack and Jill, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice and Make-A-Wish Ireland.
Collectively, the six charities support over 165,000 vulnerable and seriously ill children across Ireland.
Circular Economy
As a circular economy initiative, Ireland’s DRS is a not-for-profit organisation tasked with achieving EU recycling targets and the move away from ‘take, make and dispose’ culture to one of returning valuable materials and keeping them in the economy for as long as possible.
Through the DRS, aluminium cans can be recycled infinitely, while PET bottles can be returned multiple times, reducing the need for virgin materials.
By returning drinks containers, consumers are contributing to a sustainable future by guaranteeing that materials are recycled into new drinks containers.
‘Making A Real Difference’
Commenting on the milestone, the CEO of Re-turn Ciaran Foley said, “One year on, we have reached a major milestone.
“It is a fantastic achievement to have 1 billion drinks containers returned, and it is great to see the growing support which is evident through the daily number of bottles and cans being returned.
“The impact of the scheme in the community is also something to be celebrated with more than 2,200 community initiatives nationwide fundraising through the DRS.
“This is all possible thanks to the public, who continue to come together for the good of the planet and each other.”
The Minister of State for Small Business and Retail and Circular Economy Alan Dillon said, “DRS is already making a real difference – recycling rates are improving, litter is reducing, the environment is cleaner and community groups, schools, charities and sports clubs are benefitting greatly from the refunds.
“I am looking forward to seeing more positive results this year.
“This is a fantastic achievement for Re-turn and its members, the producers and retailers, who have worked so hard to make DRS a success.
“DRS is a great example of what’s possible when we all work together.”
Read More: Sheahan’s Centra, Killarney, On DRS Charity Initiative: “There Are Many Ways To Give Back”
