A new scheme to recycle drinks bottles and cans will see recyclers receive money for handing over their gathered rubbish.
The Deposit Return Scheme, which is expected to be up and running in February 2024, will repay those who collect and recycle their bottles and cans, which is hoped will encourage more people to recycle.
As we approach Christmas, a festive time filled with food and drinks as well as mountains of wrapping paper and rubbish, recycling has never been so important.
Of course, recycling is important year-round; we consume around 1.9 billion drinks cans and bottles each year.
Tony Keohane, Chair of Deposit Return Scheme Ireland, joined Drivetime to discuss the innovative new scheme and what to expect.
Speaking on what he said is "day one of phase one", Keohane said the project is "calling for retailers and suppliers, the producers to sign up for the scheme".
Under the scheme, a shopper will be charged a deposit when they buy one of the items, which they will receive back when they recycle it back at the shop or any shop. Reverse vending machines will be set up to make the recycling process as convenient as possible for the consumer.
This sort of scheme is a long time coming, but as Keohane said, "it's not a company doing one thing, it's all of the industry, all of the suppliers, all of the producers, and all of the retailers combining to bring this scheme live by February 2024".
"It's a massive logistics operation that includes an IT system that will cope with all this, as well as positioning 3,000 machines in individual retailers and retailer stores right across the country, which will involve some layout changes."
Keohane added that it will be obligatory for retailers to sign up for the scheme, and if they don't there will be "enforcement methods in place". "All retailers who sell these cans and bottles ... will be obliged to charge a deposit and then give that deposit back to consumers when they bring the empty can or container back."
"We are prepared for issues to go wrong but we've got such cooperation at this stage from the suppliers, the producers, the retailers, everybody. It's key to get this up and running because, in fact, it will be the law as well as the right thing to do."
So rather than receiving money for recycling any bottles and cans you find, you will be receiving back a deposit you paid when you purchased the items originally. Keohane compares it to a shopping trolley.
As for the machines that will be used to recycle, they will scan in the product and will give the consumer a coupon, which can be cashed in at the store. These machines are currently in use across Europe, Keohane said.
Smaller stores will have a manual system in place, he added.
To listen to the full interview, click above.
