The Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien TD, today celebrated the one-year anniversary of the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
Designed to significantly reduce single-use waste, DRS has been one of the most positive consumer behaviour initiatives to happen this country in decades and has already had a transformative impact. In its first six months 350 million containers were returned and by the end of its first year, over 980 million containers have been collected through the scheme, diverting millions of plastic bottles and aluminium cans from landfill and litter.
The scheme has also taken off at a grassroots level, with community and charity organisations using it for fundraising. €90,000 has been raised for the ‘Return for Children’ initiative and well over 2,000 schools, clubs and community organisations have registered with DRS for their own fundraising activities.
Minister O’Brien said:
"In its first 12 months, DRS has collected and recycled over 980 million bottles and cans and has dramatically reduced the number of those containers ending up as litter or being landfilled. I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the scheme in its first year. The efforts are making a real difference in reducing waste and promoting recycling and I look forward to an even stronger 2025.
"Essential to the success of DRS has been the Irish beverage industry and retailers, who through Re-turn, who have come together to build an entirely new recycling model. With over 3,000 return points nationwide, DRS ensures maximum coverage for urban and rural communities alike”.