The ‘naysayers’ who were up in arms about the Deposit Return Scheme have been “proven spectacularly wrong,” Shane Coleman has said.

The scheme has recycled more than half-a-billion plastic bottles and cans since its launch in February of this year – with the monthly figures rising from two million in February to 111 million in August.

Meanwhile, preliminary results from the Coastwatch autumn survey have shown a “massive reduction” in plastic bottles, cans and tins washing up on Irish shorelines since the scheme was launched.

Bin Surround

This morning, scheme operator Re-Turn and Dublin City Council (DCC) are launching new bins in the city that will allow people to ‘donate’ containers for others to return.

The ‘Bin Surround’ programme sees 80 bins modified to allow people to easily retrieve containers that other people have thrown away.

The plan aims to cut down on people scavenging for containers in bins amid fears they could harm themselves.

Dublin Lord Mayor James Geoghegan launches the new Bin Surround scheme, 17-10-2024. Image: Stephanie Rohan/Newstalk

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, presenter Shane Coleman said Deposit Return has been an “incredible success” – despite the controversy when it was first launched.

“There was such a hullabaloo about this whole campaign, the return scheme, the bring it back, scheme,” he said.

“The naysayers, I would contend this morning, have been proven spectacularly wrong.

“The scheme is working incredibly well. We've seen a huge drop in the number of plastic bottles in our streets, in our seas and in our waterways.

“It is actually working, despite all the carping and despite all the giving out.”

Fellow presenter Ciara Kelly said she is still recycling in her green bin rather than using the scheme – but agreed that the scheme is working.

She said the new ‘Bin Surround’ programme should also cut down on litter around bins from people scavenging through them.

Re-turn

Re-turn has warned people that containers recycled through the green bin achieve around an 80% recycle quality rate.

The rate rises to 98% if you use Deposit Return.

Shane said the success of the scheme is clear to see, adding: “People who give out about it, I'm sorry, guys, you were wrong and you've been proven wrong”.