Funding is needed to set up the Deposit Return Scheme on 18 of Ireland’s inhabited offshore island territories.
That's according to representative group Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann ahead of their meeting with the Junior Environment Minister this week.
They will tell Ossian Smyth about their struggles with trying to return bottles and cans with only one reverse vending machine available on Inishmore.
Island
PR officer Chloe Ní Mháille said they're willing to put in the work to get the scheme up and running.
“You're looking at up to €20,000 to get these machines,” she said.
“We all live by the coast; things rust more rapidly than on the mainland.
"We need to make sure if they are outdoors or in a sheltered area that the machines are not breaking down. Logistics involve getting engineers out to fix things.”
A worker demonstrates a Deposit Return Scheme Reverse Vending Machine in a Marks & Spencer supermarket in Dublin, 1-2-34. Image: Stephanie Rohan/NewstalkMs Ní Mháille said local training could be needed on islands.
“Maybe there’s somebody on the island we can train on the machines,” she said.
“There's a whole range of issues that go with this that aren't considered and we're willing to engage and work with this, but we need funding to get those machines piloted ASAP.”
Some of Ireland’s most populated offshore islands include Inis Mór (820), Árainn Mhór (478), Inis Oírr (343), Bere Island (218), Inis Meáin (184), Inishbofin (184), Tóraigh (141), Clare Island (138), Oileán Chléire (110), Sherkin Island (110), Inishturk (56).
