Irish consumers return a billion containers under Deposit Return Scheme

Andrei Romanschi (left), store manager at Lidl Kilcarbery and Niamh Kelly (right), head of marketing and communications at Re-turn celebrating the one billionth drinks container being returned at Lidl Kilcarbery, Dublin. 

One billion drinks containers have been returned by Irish consumers since the country’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) began last February.

According to the scheme’s operator, Re-turn, the Irish public have now returned enough bottles and cans to circle the globe 4.7 times. The one billionth container was returned to Lidl, Kilcarbery in Dublin on Tuesday.

The aim of the scheme is to improve recycling rates across the country, and tackle litter, and one year on from its launch, daily returns have grown from thousands a day, to over five million a day on several occasions.

Re-turn says that by returning drinks containers, consumers are contributing to a “sustainable future” and guaranteeing that material is recycled into new drinks containers.

As well as that, the Irish Business Against Litter survey 2025 reported a near 50% fall in the prevalence of plastic bottles since the scheme was introduced.

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The initiative was initially plagued by complaints from consumers who were charged deposits when they should not have been, some machines had issues recognising returns, and some were ‘out of order’.

However, Re-turn said that teething issues such as these were to be expected as the scheme rolled out, but these have largely been addressed. There are now over 2,600 reverse vending machines across the country, and over 470 manual return points nationwide.

Pictured are Niamh Kelly, Head of Marketing and Communications at Re-turn, Colin Walsh, Senior Project Manager at Lidl Ireland, Ela Standa, Team Member at Lidl Kilcarbery, and Andrei Romanschi, Store Manager at Lidl Kilcarbery, celebrating the 1 billionth drinks container being returned at Lidl Kilcarbery, Dublin this week.

Return for Children, the fundraising initiative by Re-turn, has also raised €90,000 since its launch in June.

The initiative, which runs at large-scale events such as festivals, concerts, and matches, gives attendees the option to donate their cans and bottles to charity. The partnership means that vital funds can be raised for charity while also reducing the amount of litter generated by these large events.

Return for Children was created to support six national children’s charities — Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack and Jill, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, and Make-A-Wish Ireland.

Collectively, these six charities support over 165,000 vulnerable and seriously ill children across the country.

Commenting on the success of the scheme so far, Re-turn CEO, Ciaran Foley, said: “One year on, we have reached a major milestone. It is a fantastic achievement to have one billion drinks containers returned, and it is great to see the growing support which is evident through the daily number of bottles and cans being returned.

“The impact of the scheme in the community is also something to be celebrated with more than 2,200 community initiatives nationwide fundraising through the DRS. This is all possible thanks to the public, who continue to come together for the good of the planet and each other.” 

Elsewhere, Minister of State for Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon said the scheme is “already making a real difference.” 

Recycling rates are improving, litter is reducing, the environment is cleaner and community groups, schools, charities and sports clubs are benefitting greatly from the refunds.

“I am looking forward to seeing more positive results this year. DRS is a great example of what’s possible when we all work together.” 

How the scheme works 

Consumers pay a deposit when they buy a bottle or can and get it back when they return it empty and undamaged to participating shops and supermarkets nationwide.

The deposit amount will range from 15c to 25c depending on the size of the container.

Consumers will be issued a voucher at the reverse vending machine that can be redeemed at the till against store purchases or as a cash refund.

If returning items over the counter, retailers will ensure the drinks container features the Re-turn logo and provide a refund if it is undamaged.

To locate the nearest deposit return point, individuals can visit the Re-turn 'Where To Return' map.

This map is accessible either by scanning a QR code in stores or supermarkets, or by visiting their website.