Re-turn 2024 Annual Report

1. • Ireland’s recycling rate for plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans has jumped from 49% to 91% since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme. Of this, 76% is directly captured via the DRS, with an additional 15% collected through mixed dry recycling.

 

Pictured Left to right: Chair of the Board of Re-turn Tony Keohane, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien TD, CEO of Re-turn Ciaran Foley

 

Re-turn, the administrator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), today announced that the Irish public has returned over 1.6 billion bottles and cans through the scheme since its launch in February 2024.

 

The most recent data from Re-turn also shows an estimated 798 million more containers are now being recycled each year compared to before the scheme began. Recycling rates have risen from just 49% to an estimated 91%, with 76% of containers captured directly through the DRS and a further 15% collected via mixed dry recycling.*

 

Tony Keohane, Chair of the Board of Re-turn said: “The Board is very encouraged by the strong performance and early impact of the scheme since its launch in February of last year. Re-turn has delivered a Deposit Return Scheme that is already achieving measurable environmental results and social impact, including the return of over 1.6 billion bottles and cans and a significant increase in Ireland’s national recycling rate for drinks containers.

 

This has been driven by extraordinary collaboration across government, retailers, producers and the wider supply chain, and most importantly by the enthusiastic participation of the Irish public. The Board extends its sincere thanks to all stakeholders for their continued support. We look forward to building on this momentum as we work together to meet the ambitious targets ahead.”

 

Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn said: “These latest recycling figures are far beyond what we had projected to achieve just a year after the end of the transition phase for the scheme. They speak to the commitment of the Irish people to sustainability and their desire to support the vision of a greener, cleaner Ireland.

 

Additionally, the social impact of the scheme and the engagement with it from community groups across the country has exceeded any and all expectations. Schools, clubs and charities all over Ireland have engaged with and utilised the scheme to raise funds for a wide variety of worthy causes.

 

The degree to which the scheme has been embraced is a credit to the people of Ireland. The environmental and social impact so far has been significant, but this is just the beginning. It’s vital that we continue returning containers to maintain momentum and ensure lasting change. The next focus is on capturing the remaining 15% of containers still going into standard recycling bins and the further 9% going into general waste, which would unlock even greater environmental benefits and broaden the impact of the scheme nationwide.”

 

Cleaner Streets and Shores

The environmental impact is already being felt. The Coastwatch Annual Marine Litter Survey shows that 2024 recorded the lowest average levels of bottle and can litter on Irish shores in 25 years. In parallel, Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) reports a 50% drop in litter from bottles and cans since the scheme launched.

 

These improvements are driven by public action and supported by a growing national network of return points, with further expansion planned.

 

Commenting on the success of the Deposit Return Scheme to date, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien TD said: “The Deposit Return Scheme has already established itself as a landmark initiative in Irish society, alongside transformative measures like the plastic bag levy and the indoor smoking ban. It demonstrates that when change is right, Irish people will embrace it. I’m absolutely delighted to see such a strong response, with over 1.6 billion containers returned by families, organisations, and communities across the country. I want to commend and congratulate Re-turn for their outstanding work to date, and I look forward to seeing the organisation progressing its plans to recycle plastic materials here in Ireland.”

 

Minister of State with Responsibility for Circular Economy Alan Dillon TD said: “This significant increase in our recycling rate for drinks containers is a real achievement and marks a major milestone for the Deposit Return Scheme and the circular economy more widely. While there is more to do to sustain our EU targets, this is an exceptional start. It’s also encouraging to see the wider impact – from sports and charity groups benefiting locally, to cleaner towns and countryside thanks to a major drop in plastic bottle and can litter.”

 

Community Engagement and Charity Impact

In addition to its positive environmental impact, the DRS is also delivering significant community and social value. The Return for Children initiative, developed in partnership with six of Ireland’s largest children’s charities, has already raised over €215,000 for Ireland’s most vulnerable children, and was recently renewed for the next three years.

 

Across the country, more than 3,600 schools, clubs, and community groups have embraced the scheme to support local causes. From funding life-saving equipment to backing grassroots sports projects, the scheme is proving that recycling can deliver meaningful and lasting benefits for communities nationwide.

 

Building for a More Sustainable Future

Re-turn is also advancing the development of Ireland’s first on-island PET bottle-to-bottle recycling facility, which will enable PET plastic bottles collected through the DRS to be fully recycled within the country. This step will reduce Ireland’s reliance on exporting PET plastic for processing and support Ireland’s long-term sustainability and circular economy goals. The company is currently engaged in a tender process for the facility.

 

Re-turn 2024 Annual Report

Re-turn’s 2024 Annual Report, published today, provides a comprehensive overview of the scheme’s first eleven months in operation. From its launch in February through to the end of 2024, including a four-month transition phase, the scheme saw 877 million drinks containers returned, laying a strong foundation for continued progress.

 

Key priorities for 2025 include:

1. • • Expanding the return network and high-capacity RVMs.
     • Improving access and participation across all communities.
     • Supporting retailers and producers.
     • Investing in public education to encourage consistent recycling behaviours.

 

Link to Re-turn’s 2024 annual report.