Dublin, Thursday 4th July 2024: Re-turn, operators of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, is pleased to announce the scheme continues to grow, setting a new monthly return record for the fifth consecutive month. Over 90 million drinks containers were returned in June, a significant rise from 78 million in May. As of July 2, 2024, the cumulative number of containers returned through the scheme has surpassed a remarkable 250 million.
Ireland averaged 3 million containers returned per day in June, demonstrating continuous growth in participation and support for the Scheme since its launch on February 1.
The highest daily returns to date were recorded on Saturday, June 22, which saw 3.55 million drinks containers being returned by Irish consumers. The final week of June, 24 – 30, saw over 22 million drinks containers brought back to deposit return points across the country.
Progress made since launch
Drinks Containers returned in Months:
- 2m containers February
- 20 m containers in March
- 51 m containers in April
- 78 m containers in May
- 90 m containers in June
Daily Average of Drinks Containers returned in Months:
- 69,000 containers a day in February
- 670,000 containers a day in March
- 1.7 million containers a day in April
- 2.5 million containers a day in May
- 3 million containers a day in June
Speaking on the growth to date, CEO of Re-turn, Ciaran Foley, said:
“June was another strong month for returns by consumers in Ireland. It has been very positive to see the rising figures thanks to the Irish public who are now returning three million drinks containers every day on average. Now that the transition period is over all drinks containers in the Scheme must display the Re-turn logo.
“It is also very encouraging to see the Deposit Return Scheme being credited with lower litter levels across Ireland in the recently published IBAL report. Less litter on our streets and countryside has always been a key objective for Re-turn and it’s great to see progress being made in this area.”
In total, over 90 million plastic bottles and cans were returned during the month of June. The rising figures showcase a widespread acceptance and effectiveness of the Scheme. It is evident that the public is coming together to avail of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme and move away from disposable culture to a circular economy model in an effort to protect the environment for generations to come.
Return for Children
Also launched in June was ‘Return for Children’ a new charity fundraising initiative supporting six national children’s charities, Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack & Jill, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, and Make-A-Wish Ireland.
Working with Re-turn, the goal of this initiative is to reduce mixed litter at events and provide attendees with the option of donating their bottle and can deposits at designated Re-turn bins, with all deposit return proceeds going to the six charities.
Re-turn is encouraging event organisers to get in touch at info@re-turn.ie to find out how they can set up ‘Return for Children’ collections at their events.