Re-turn has reported that Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) saw its busiest day on bank holiday Monday 3 June, with 3.5 million containers returned.
Over the entire long weekend, 9.2 million containers were returned – the most returned to date in a three-day period.
Yesterday, Tuesday 4 June, saw over three million containers returned.
The average daily return rate across the bank holiday weekend was three million.
These figures far exceed the two million containers returned in the entire month of February – the first month of the DRS.
Re-turn – the organisation implementing the scheme – has reported 164.9 million total containers returned to date.
Saturday 1 June also marked a new phase of the scheme, as the transition period for selling old stock ended.
Retailers can only sell in-scope containers with the Re-turn logo, and they will all be eligible for return, as long as they are empty and undamaged.
‘Thanks To The Irish Public’
Speaking about the record-breaking weekend, the chief executive of Re-turn, Ciaran Foley, said, “The June bank holiday weekend saw incredible engagement from Irish consumers.
“We have achieved several milestones over the past month, and it has been incredibly positive to see the rising figures, thanks to the Irish public, who are now returning millions of drinks containers each day.
“Consumers have now brought back over 161 million bottles and cans.
“The start of June also marked the beginning of the scheme’s next phase, where every in-scope bottle and can must now display the Re-turn logo.
“This new phase, coupled with the fact that summer is a key season for beverage sales, will likely result in higher returns.
“We’re confident that our nationwide network is ready to answer the demand.”
Read More: Deposit Return Scheme Transition Deadline – Ireland Set To Hit 150m Containers Returned
