Glass bottles should be included in the planned deposit return scheme, a Fianna Fáil senator says.
Under the scheme - due to come into effect in the second half of this year - customers will pay a refundable deposit when they buy drinks in plastic bottles or aluminum cans.
That deposit will then be refunded once the can or bottle is brought to a "return point".
The Government says the scheme is aimed at "reducing single-use plastics, helping Ireland meet EU targets and promoting a wider circular economy".
Regulations allowing for the scheme were signed late last year, with work underway now to get the scheme operational and set the rate of the deposit.
Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan, however, told Newstalk Breakfast she wants to see the scheme extended beyond the currently planned scope.
She said: “We want to absolutely welcome the introduction of a scheme - it has been very successful in every country that it has been introduced in.
“I’d like it to be as flexible and as far-reaching as possible - that is to include glass bottles, and have that variable rate.”
Senator McGreehan said she believes glass wasn't included as there’s already a large amount of glass bottle recycling in Ireland.
However, she also noted that research has indicated that high rate has fallen somewhat in recent years.
The Fianna Fáil senator also wants to see 'variable' deposits as part of the scheme, such as higher deposits for larger containers.
She observed: “If there is a flat rate across all bottles, you might be incentivised to buy the bigger bottle - [and therefore] consume more soft drinks, or consume larger quantities of alcohol.
“That’s why you’d include a variable rate - to match the size and quantity of the contents of that bottle.”
