The Deposit Return Scheme is an "inconvenience" we must "get used to," according to the CEO of Re-turn who operates the scheme.

On The Hard Shoulder today, Ciaran Foley said the scheme has got off to a “solid start,” recycling two million containers in February when it was first introduced.

There were some 200,000 containers collected in a single day alone on February 29th across 2,200 reverse vending machines available nationwide.

Mr Foley said the opening figures compare well to other countries.

"We model our scheme on the Slovakian scheme, which went live in 2022, as we have similar populations," he said.

“They redeemed 264,000 containers in their first month and we redeemed over two million so, looking at that comparison, we’ve made a really good start.

“That scheme two years on is now doing 93% redemption rates which is really encouraging for us.”

Scheme purpose

Mr Foley said the purpose of the scheme is to have a 90% recycling rate on plastic and aluminium containers by 2029 – as per an EU directive.

“We’re at about 55% to 60% now,” he said.

“When you consider we put about two billion of these products on the market in Ireland every year, the difference between 60% and 90% is about 600 million bottles that currently are not being recycled properly.

“Even worse, they are ending up on our streets, rivers and beaches.”

Minister Ossian Smyth and Re-turn CEO Ciaran Foley launch the Deposit Return Scheme. Image: Julien Behal Photography

Mr Foley acknowledged the scheme is a hassle for some.

“It’s an inconvenience and we get that,” he said.

“But people do get used to it and I don’t think it’s that inconvenient as we’re going back to stores anyway.

“The point is it’s worth it and it's why we had to do this scheme.”

Scheme 'Hacks'

Mr Foley said he is aware some people have managed to ‘hack’ the scheme.

“It is fraud and I will be honest; it’s not different from shoplifting if you’re trying to defraud the scheme,” he said.

“But it is a lot of work for 15c and once the transition period is over [on June 1^st] all containers will have the Re-Turn logo on it.

“People shouldn’t be doing it.”

The Re-Turn CEO said they will be looking at an app-based system in the future.

You can listen back here:

Main image: Re-Turn CEO Ciaran Foley pictured in Newstalk studios today.