About Us

At present in Ireland, we generate about 800 million single-use beverage bottles and over 1 billion aluminium cans each year, with between 60-70% currently collected for recycling.

What does this mean?

This means that over 30% of drink containers are not collected, and may end up as litter on our streets, countryside, rivers and beaches. Under the Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive, by 2025, Ireland must ensure the separate collection of 77% of plastic containers placed on the market, rising to 90& in 2029.

DRSI CLG, trading as Re-turn, is the new system administrator appointed to oversee and manage the operation of the Deposit Return Scheme and will ‘go live’ to the general public on 1 February 2024.

The introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme in Ireland is a simple solution to achieving higher collection rates for containers. There are more than 40 Countries and regions that have successfully introduced the Deposit Return Scheme, with 14 in Europe and Ireland being the 15th Country to implement the scheme.

About Us

About Us

Company Overview

The Re-turn team comprises a group of 30 with extensive experience in business, sustainability, and waste management. They are dedicated to ensuring the success of the Deposit Return Scheme in Ireland, and their expertise will be essential in achieving the scheme’s goals.

Benefits of the Deposit Return Scheme:
  • Achieve EU Recycling Targets
  • Protect our Environment
  • Reduce Litter and Waste
  • Circular Economy Initiative
  • Relieve pressure on natural resources

* The Average collection rate of established EU schemes is over 90%.

Company Overview

Company Overview

Mission Statement

The Deposit Return Scheme Ireland (DRSI) is committed to creating a sustainable and circular economy by implementing an effective and efficient system for the collection, recycling, and recovery of beverage containers. Our mission is to reduce litter, conserve resources, and minimise environmental impact through the promotion of responsible consumption and waste management of plastic and PET containers in Ireland.  

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Eligible Containers for Deposit Return

Most drinks containers made of plastic, aluminium or steel between 150ml and 3 litres will be included in the Deposit Return Scheme.

  • 150ml – 500ml +15c
  • Over 500ml – 3L +25c

All eligible containers will display the Re-turn logo making identification easy for consumers.

Not every drinks container is eligible. There are exceptions such as milk or other dairy-based products that won’t have a deposit logo but should still be recycled.

Eligible Containers for Deposit Return

Eligible Containers for Deposit Return

Deposit Return Schemes in Europe

There are more than 40 countries and regions that have successfully introduced the Deposit Return Scheme, with 14 in Europe and many more being implemented. Ireland will be the 15th Country to implement the Deposit Return Scheme on 1 February 2024.  

Deposit Return Schemes in Europe

Deposit Return Schemes in Europe

Governance and Leadership

The process leading to the election of the six Producer and two Retail representatives was managed jointly by Retail Ireland and Irish Beverage Council and Drinks Ireland

Nominees were required to:

  • Elections were completed on 15th December 2021
  • Independent Board Members Appointed in Q1 2022
  • 32 Board meetings in  2022
  • Future board elections (after completion of the first 5-year term) will be open to all scheme members.

Governance and Leadership

Governance and Leadership

Return for Children

‘Return for Children’ is the new charity fundraising initiative supporting six national children’s charities – Barnardos IrelandBarretstownChildline by ISPCCJack & JillLauraLynn Children’s Hospice, and Make-A-Wish Ireland launched in conjunction with Re-turn – operators of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme. Each charity addresses different aspects of children’s needs, from healthcare and support for serious illnesses to providing essential services and advocacy for vulnerable children.‘Return for Children’ is designed for large-scale events such as festivals, concerts, and sporting matches. The goal of this campaign is to reduce mixed litter at events and provide attendees with the option of donating their bottles and can deposits at designated Re-turn bins, with the deposit return proceeds going to charity.

Event organisers who do not have a charity partner and would like to give their attendees the option to donate their bottles and can deposit to ‘Return for Children’, please get in touch with Re-turn by emailing info@re-turn.ie

Return for Children

Return for Children

Board of directors

Mr Ciaran Foley

CEO

Mr Tony Keohane

Independent Chair

Mr David Kelly

Independent Director

Ms Noreen O' Kelly

Independent Director

Mr Kevin Donnelly

Producer 1 Director

Mr Tom Burke

Producer 1 Director

Mr Conor Hyland

Producer 2 Director

Mr Shane Kelly

Producer 2 Director

Ms Rosemary Garth

Producer 3 Director

Mr Joseph Ownes

Producer 4 Director

Ms Tara Buckley

Retailer 1 Director

Ms Edel Russell

Retailer 2 Director

FAQ's

Retailers may opt for either manual return or for automatic collection, through Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs). Retailers have the choice of whether they opt for a reverse vending machine or not. It is not compulsory for any retailer to have a reverse vending machine.

From 1 February, 2024, when you buy a drink featuring the Re-turn logo, you will be charged a small deposit  in addition to the price of the drink. The drinks containers included in the Scheme  are PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans between 150mls and 3 litres. A deposit of 15c will apply to containers from 150ml to 500ml inclusive and a deposit of 25c for containers over 500mls to 3 litres inclusive.

To prevent waste, for a limited period, from 1 February there will be some stock of plastic bottles and cans that may not feature the Re-turn logo. Should consumers be charged a deposit on these drinks containers, please be assured that you will get your deposit back when you return to RVM Deposit Return Points nationwide.

Consumers may return containers to a retailer that takes them back over the counter (manual), or through the use of a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM). If returning to an RVM, you must insert all Re-turn drinks containers as instructed and you will then be issued with a voucher which may be redeemed at the till.  *It is important to note that vouchers issued from an RVM must be redeemed at the same retail outlet.

You will have the choice to receive your refund against a store-bought purchase or in cash.

The variable deposit fees reflect the size of the drinks containers and is reflective of the value of the material. The larger the container, the more valuable the plastic and aluminium for recycling purposes.

The drinks containers included in the Scheme  are PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans between 150mls and 3 litres. A deposit of 15c will apply to containers 500mls or less and a deposit of 25c for each container from 500ml to 3 litres.

PET plastic drinks containers, steel and aluminum cans between 150ml and 3 litres that show the Re-turn logo are accepted. They will need to be empty, undamaged and the barcode needs to be clearly legible.

Not all drinks containers are eligible for Deposit Return. No dairy products are included in the Scheme. Eg. Milk, yogurt drinks. These containers will  not have a Re-turn logo, but should still be recycled.

You can return your empty, undamaged plastic bottle with or without the lid. We recommend returning bottles with caps, because this will ensure that the cap is recycled, too. Also, if the bottle cap is still on, it is easier to preserve the shape of the bottle.

Currently, Ireland has a recycling rate of over 80% for glass and is surpassing recycling targets for this material. As a result, there are no plans to include glass in the Scheme but this may be open to change in the future.

All containers collected will be sent for recycling. The Deposit Return Scheme focuses on maximising the volume and quality of material collected for recycling.

DRSI CLG, trading as Re-turn, is a new company limited by guarantee and was established by beverage producers and retailers in order to fulfil their obligations under the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021.

The new Scheme brings together all parties involved in the manufacture, selling and consumption of beverages and has proved very successful internationally in increasing collection rates.

The management and operation of the Deposit Return Scheme does not cost the public or government any money at all. The system is funded through producer fees for each product placed on the market.

Each RVM will provide a clear set of instructions on how to return your bottles and cans. Instructions will also be displayed on screen.

Notify the Retailer of RVM malfunction.

Contact us via email: info@re-turn.ie

Or give us a call on 01 461 8680

Retailers whose business floorplan is less than 250 sqm can register for a Take Back Exemption via the Retailer portal.
To avail of an exemption, a retailer must apply to and be granted an exemption by Re-turn, subject to the retailer:
• displaying instore a take back exemption notice for consumers
and
• displaying in a manner that is visible to all customers a QR code locator, to find the nearest Deposit Return Point.
Yes. Ireland’s DRS Legislation defines a ‘Retailer’ as any person who for the purpose of trade or otherwise, in
the course of business, sells or otherwise supplies ‘in scope’ products to a final consumer. If your business
sells or otherwise supplies in scope products, you are defined as a ‘Retailer’ and are legally obliged to
register with the Scheme.
All Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Cafes (HORECA) are required to register with Re-turn and will
automatically be eligible for a Take Back Exemption once completed. This is based on the premise that the
majority of drinks containers are purchased for on-site consumption. However, all HORECA businesses are welcome to operate a Manual Take Back Scheme, provided that they can meet the requirements for this. More information on Manual Collections is available at (insert link to Manual Collections doc here).
The hospitality sector is split between on-site consumption and off-site consumption.
Businesses that predominantly cater for onsite consumption do not have to charge a deposit for in scope products. The rationale for this is that the empty containers remain on premises and are collected on-site. It is up to the each establishment to determine whether or not to charge the deposit. If a deposit is charged, the consumer can take their container off site. If the deposit is not charged, then the business is responsible for collecting the containers and taking them to a Return Point Operator to reclaim their
deposit.