All plastic bottles and cans sold in retailers must display Deposit Return Scheme logo from Saturday

As of May 30, Ireland has achieved its highest monthly total of more than 75 million containers returned, more than February, March and April combined. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Only containers displaying the Re-turn logo of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme can be legally sold to consumers from Saturday.

This means any PET (polyEthylene terephthalate) plastic bottle or aluminium can from 150ml to 3l bought from a retailer must now display a Re-turn logo. 

Since the launch of the scheme on February 1, retailers had four months' notice to sell through any remaining non-logo and non-deposit stock. Dairy and glass containers are not included.

Speaking on the end of Ireland’s transition period, Re-turn chief executive Ciaran Foley, said: “Our goal has been to ensure a smooth transition period as we launch the scheme in its fullest form.

We are delighted to see the growth to date in the average numbers of containers returned, and we expect to see this continue as we move out of the transition period.

“The cooperation of producers, retailers and the public has significantly contributed to the success of Ireland's Deposit Return Scheme so far.

“Together, we are taking important steps towards a more sustainable future."

The Deposit Return Scheme has seen a consistent increase in weekly average return rates since it was launched on February 1.

As of May 30, he said Ireland has achieved its highest monthly total of more than 75 million containers returned, more than February, March and April combined.

Consumers are now on track to achieve more than 150 million drinks containers returned since the launch of the scheme.

As of May 30, 149.8 million drinks containers have been returned by consumers.

The scheme is now averaging 2.5 million containers returned daily in May, a significant rise from the two million containers returned in the entire month of February.

It was set up as part of an EU-drive to increase the amount of plastic bottles and aluminium cans we recycle.

Before the launch of the scheme, just 60% to 70% of our bottles and cans were being recycled.

The rest were ending up as street litter, dumped in rivers and beaches and around the countryside.

The EU launched its Circular Economy Package of recycling initiatives in 2015.

Under the EU's Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive, for example, Ireland must ensure the separate collection of 77% of plastic beverage bottles by 2025 and 90% of them by 2029.

When people return empty, undamaged drinks containers to participating retail outlets, they get the deposit they paid for when they bought the product back in full.

A refundable deposit of 15c applies to containers from 150ml to 500ml and 25c to containers between 500ml and 3l.