Retailers participating in the deposit return scheme (DRS) will be fined €5,000 from next weekend if found selling old stock of the plastic containers and cans without the Re-turn logo.
June 1 will mark the end of the transition period for retailers, meaning they must sell any containers not registered with the scheme.
The DRS launched in Ireland on February 1 with the aim to reduce litter and achieve a “circular economy” by incentivising consumers to recycle single-use containers. Some 131 million containers have been returned through the scheme as of last Thursday night, including almost 57 million in May.
The EU has set Ireland a target to separate and collect 77 per cent of plastic beverage bottles by 2025. This target will rise to 90 per cent in 2029.
Ossian Smyth, the junior minister for the environment, said that local authorities would begin inspecting shops from Saturday.
Advertisement
“The shops will have their final chance now to sell off everything they have at a discount before the end of the month — because if they try to sell a product that doesn’t have a Re-turn logo on it in June they can be fined,” he said.
“It will now be much simpler for the public to understand that every plastic container and can will be returnable. The shops have had four months to adjust to this and any customers who purchase a can without the Re-turn logo on them can call the local authority and they will fine them [the retailer].”
Smyth said there had been some issues during the transition period with consumers putting shampoo bottles and milk cartons into the reverse vending machines. “I think it’s difficult for people to adjust to something like this but the fact that three million containers are coming back in one day, and if we reach that level every day from now on, we’re going to have a huge improvement,” he said.
The Irish Petrol Retailers Association said its members had now reached almost entirely new stock.
Vincent Jennings, chief executive of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association, said the scheme was a “culture shock” but should also be viewed as a “phenomenal success story”.
Lidl said “a small number” of old stock without the Re-turn logo might still be present in some stores, but they would not be sold after May 31. Aldi said it was currently “washing out” the last few unmarked items.
