More than 2.4 billion plastic bottles and aluminium cans have been collected since the commencement of Ireland's deposit return scheme.
The new figures were released as the initiative, managed by Re-turn, marks its second anniversary.
According to Sensoneo, Slovakian-based company which delivered end-to-end IT solution for Re-turn, 3133 active collection points serviced by 2,798 reverse vending machines (RVMs) have been opened across the state in under two years of operation.
Close to 12,200 products across PET plastic bottles and aluminium cans have been registered for the scheme.
DRS applies to containers of between 150ml and 3L with the return logo on them.
In December 2025, Re-turn expanded access to its RVMs and recycling infrastructure to three islands - Arranmore Island in Co Donegal, Cape Clear Island in Co Cork and Inishturk, Co Mayo.
Previously Re-turn said that, since the scheme's introduction, recycling rates for drinks containers have increased from 49% to an estimated rate of over 90%, with more than 76% of the figure captured directly through the scheme.
In recent days, Dublin City Council's boss Richard Shakespeare suggested that the scheme has lead to increased littering in the capital with the city's "most vulnerable citizens needing to go chasing bottles and cans out of bins."
Mr Shakespeare evaluated the cost of additional cleaning between €500,000 and €1 million a year.
In response, Re-turn said that it is willing to engage with Dublin City Council on the operation of the Deposit Return Scheme in the city centre.
"Our goal is to support our partners in delivering a successful Deposit Return Scheme in Ireland," Re-turn's statement said.
