A billion bottles and cans have been returned for recycling by Irish consumers under the deposit return scheme in just over 12 months, the operator said on Friday.
The billionth drinks container was returned to a Lidl shop in Kilcarbery, in Dublin, Re-turn said.
Daily return numbers continue to grow from thousands in February 2024 to more than five million a day on several occasions so far this year
Re-turn is a not-for-profit organisation set up to help the State reach EU environmental targets by reusing and recycling valuable materials and keeping them in the economy for as long as possible.
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Through the Deposit Return Scheme, aluminium cans can be recycled infinitely, while PET plastic bottles can be recycled multiple times, reducing the need for the use of virgin materials.
The chief executive of Re-turn, Ciaran Foley, hailed what he said was “a major milestone” and said it was “great to see the growing support which is evident through the daily number of bottles and cans being returned.”
He said the impact of the scheme in the community was “also something to be celebrated, with more than 2,200 community initiatives nationwide fundraising through [it]. This is all possible thanks to the public, who continue to come together for the good of the planet and each other.”
Since 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 launched in June, drinks containers have been donated to the initiative at public events, raising €90,000 to date.
Minister of State for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon said the scheme was “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 benefiting greatly from the refunds. I am looking forward to seeing more positive results this year. ”
He said it was “a fantastic achievement” and hailed it as “a great example of what’s possible when we all work together”.
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