45% of DRS containers 'on market' returned up to August

Consumers returned fewer than one in every two drink containers placed on the market with the Re-turn logo between February and the end of August to the Deposit Return Scheme, according to new figures.

It means tens of millions of euro has not been claimed back in the first seven months of the scheme.

Figures from the Department of the Environment show there were 1,016 million Re-turn containers were placed on the market during that time, with 460 million returned during the same timeframe, or a 45% return rate.

Scheme operator Re-turn has disputed this 45% figure but not provided an alternative return rate for that time frame.

Collection rates reported for the scheme are calculated based on the volume of containers collected for recycling as a percentage of the total volume of containers placed on the Irish market.

The term "placed on the market" means the number of bottles and cans made available by producers for sale or distribution rather than actually sold.

This collection rate of 45% meant that €79.4m of customers deposits were returned to them during that time.

The other 55% would equate to around €97m, but as "placed on the market" does not mean sold it cannot be estimated exactly how much of customer deposits remained unclaimed during that time.

Deposits which are not refunded are known as unredeemed deposits and are retained by Re-turn to fund the operations of the Deposit Return Scheme.

It is the first time that collection figures on Re-turn containers placed on the market since the scheme began have been published.

The figures confirm that the scheme got off to a slow start.

In the first three months of the scheme 368 million return containers were placed on the market with only 75 million returned, or one-in-five.

It has picked up considerably since then.

In August, 112 million containers were returned out of 154 million being placed on the market, a return rate of 73%.

However, number of containers returned in September fell, with 103 million returned.

But it is not yet known what that month's return rate was as data on containers placed on the market, and therefore the return rate, for September is not yet available.

A Department spokesperson said Re-turn collect this information from producers monthly in arrears and it takes time to request, collect, analyse and validate this data.

In a statement, Re-turn said that using a cumulative average return rate was not an accurate measure of its current performance.

It said: "It's essential to clarify that the figures for containers "placed on the market" do not equate to actual sales.

"Therefore, using this figure to make calculations, such as the overall return rate since launch and unclaimed deposit estimates, is incorrect and does not reflect the scheme's performance or consumer engagement.

"Separately, using a cumulative average return rate from the scheme's launch date is not an accurate measure of its current performance and does not reflect the substantial progress made by the scheme and the people of Ireland. The statement that Ireland achieved a 45% return rate or that 55% of deposits are unclaimed during this period is factually incorrect.

"Since the scheme’s inception, return rates have shown continuous growth, reaching a robust 73% by August. This upward trend provides a more current and accurate picture of the scheme’s success, driven by strong public engagement and our commitment to making return points more accessible across Ireland."

It is not clear from the statement why Re-turn views its return rate for August as correct, but the cumulative total for the seven months as incorrect.

The statement continued: "A large quantity of active deposits, yet to be reclaimed, is expected and routine at this early phase, as consumers return deposits at varying rates, often storing containers for longer periods before returning them. The term "unredeemed" is not applicable to these containers, as they are active and could be returned at any time.

"It is important to note that Re-turn is a not-for-profit organisation."

The latest Irish Business Against Litter survey results, published in June, showed a 30% reduction in drinks cans thrown away and 20% reduction in plastic bottles on streets due to the introduction of the scheme.

In recent weeks, Coastwatch reported a large reduction in plastic bottles and aluminium cans washing up on the Irish shoreline also since the introduction of the scheme.

Last week, Dublin City Council began modifying a number of bins in the city centre to try to prevent scavenging for plastic bottles and cans which is causing littered streets and posing a safety risk.