Campaigners register plans with Europe for reverse vending machines for plastic bottles

"When the tidal waves break the plastics into smaller pieces over time, animals like fish eat it, which is how microplastics end up on our plates."

A reverse vending machine for plastic bottle returns, compelling firms to pay for the recycling of same, and an EU-wide deposit system, all form measures in a petition that has been registered by the European Commission.

If successful, it could make a fundamental difference to Ireland's plastic habits, as consumers here have the highest plastic waste generation in the EU, according to Eurostat.