\u201cA bunch of smaller producers have gone to Re-Turn raising concerns about the sustainability of the workload \u2013 and the sustainability of foisting one-off costs on us. It is not fair or equitable for us to have to carry this,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
For the past two years, Irish households have had to get used to the idea of retaining their empty receptacles \u2013 or face the prospect of losing money.<\/p>\n
The DRS has upended the way we recycle. Each item purchased up to the capacity of 500ml comes with an additional charge of 15 cents \u2013 which is not returned until the bottle or can is inserted into one of more than 2,500 Re-Turn machines dotted around the country. Cans and bottles with a volume of more than 500ml come with a fee of 25 cents. <\/p>\n
The impetus for the scheme was the Single Use Plastics directive. <\/p>\n
EU-mandated targets mean that Ireland has to achieve a recycling figure of 90 per cent by the year 2029 \u2013 and the scheme has become the main element in attempting to do that. When it was launched, Ireland\u2019s recycling rate for \u2018on-the-go\u2019 bottles was a meagre 23 per cent. With an estimated five million single-use bottles and cans consumed here every day, it is a big job.<\/p>\n
The DRS has undoubtedly irked a lot of people, not least those who feel inconvenienced by the frequent trips to the bottle and can machine. People have also wondered what happens to all those deposits that aren\u2019t claimed.<\/p>\n
Advocates point to a significant increase in recycling as a result of the scheme\u2019s introduction. They say it is helping to change attitudes to how we handle our waste.<\/p>\n
![\"Bob](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/CN4PNCMKMVEY3MNFQZZLBLDT7A.JPG\")
Bob Coggins of White Hag Brewery in Ballymote, Co Sligo. Photograph: Bryan O\u2019Brien <\/p>\n
Two years in, retailers, producers and consumers are now well acquainted with its workings, but that doesn\u2019t mean it is operating smoothly from everyone\u2019s point of view.<\/p>\n
Coggins says many smaller Irish producers are still unhappy with some elements, citing ongoing administration costs. He says while retailers receive an allowance, producers like White Hag do not.<\/p>\n
[\u00a0\u2018How do we make less money?\u2019 Re-turn continues to break records with cash it actively doesn\u2019t wantOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n He says the early days proved particularly challenging: \u201cWe felt that the implementation was a bit rushed. There wasn\u2019t due consideration given to all sides. The construct of the board heavily reflected large producers \u2013 and not small producers, of which there are far more, naturally.<\/p>\n \u201cEven the idea of doing it in January to March \u2013 it should have happened over the summer, away from the peaks and troughs of Christmas and the new year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt caused us a massive challenge. We were left with stock that retailers didn\u2019t want because it didn\u2019t have the scheme logo.\u201d<\/p>\n As a small drinks producer, White Hag faces different issues to those confronted by retailers. In the early days, many complained of machines not operating properly and of the time and cost involved in processing refunds. <\/p>\n According to Chris Furey, who runs eight Eurospar<\/a> supermarkets as part of the Furey Smyth Group, the scheme\u2019s \u201cteething issues\u201d have been largely resolved.<\/p>\n \u201cThe technology is there for us \u2013 and the DRS machines are in direct communication with the checkouts. There is a barcode printed and it is all effortless. That was all geared up for the retailers,\u201d Furey says.<\/p>\n Furey is effusive in praise for the scheme. He says his group is delighted to be playing its role in furthering awareness of the need to recycle, and growing the \u2018circular economy\u2019.<\/p>\n Jean McCabe of the representative body Retail Excellence<\/a> says her feedback from retailers is broadly similar and that after the initial set-up problems it had been a \u201crelatively positive\u201d experience for most. <\/p>\n She noted that, while helping the environment<\/a>, the scheme had also proven to be a good \u201cfootfall driver\u201d for businesses. <\/p>\n Furey notes that schools, like one near the Eurospar in Hartstown, Co Dublin, have used the scheme to teach children how to recycle and also generate charitable revenue for the school itself. He says the DRS machine there is \u201cone of the busiest in the world\u201d. <\/p>\n [\u00a0Reactions to Re-turn: From \u2018it adds car journeys\u2019 to \u2018an incentive for people to litter less\u2019Opens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n But there are obvious downsides, too. There is a burgeoning scavenging operation, particularly in cities where consumers are less likely to carry their empty cans or bottles home.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PJC32I3G2JFPNBWX5UB7TVIT7M.JPG\")
A shopper recycles a can at a Re-turn reverse vending machine. Photograph: Alan Betson<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/5OQTAGXFZJBIFFUNUTW5KYFIHE.jpg\")
A bin with the \u2018Give Take Return\u2019 bottle and can bin surround. Photograph: Fennell Photography <\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QLSWNXEYBVD6JP27YL7W2LVXOM.JPG\")
A man collecting bottles and cans from a bin in Dame Street, Dublin.\u00a0Photograph: Nick Bradshaw <\/p>\n![\"Ciaran](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/244AH62IIRGZHEVCG4BUXPBJYE.JPG\")
Ciaran Foley, Re-Turn CEO, at the unveiling of Ireland\u2019s Deposit Return Scheme run by Re-Turn. Photograph: Alan Betson\/The Irish Times<\/p>\n