Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Submissions invited on the scope and legislative framework for Scheme

The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future – and the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economyset out the government’s commitment to introduce a Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles (up to three litres in volume) and aluminium cans.

In October last year, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, sought the public’s views on the type of DRS that would be suitable in an Irish context. Having considered the 364 submissions received, he is now publishing a draft legislative framework for further observations and submissions. This framework, when finalised after consultation, will enable the introduction of a DRS in Ireland by Q3 2022.

The public consultation and draft legislative framework also follows a series of meetings between officials from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and a range of stakeholders including beverage producers, retailers, the waste industry and the environmental sector.

The Scheme will be producer-led and funded. The proposed legislative framework sets out a model similar to those currently operating in Ireland under the Extended Producer Responsibility regime. This involves a scheme operator running the DRS on behalf of the producers. The scheme will operate on a not-for-profit basis and will be responsible for assisting Ireland in meeting challenging EU waste collection and collection targets.

The consultation is open for submissions until 17:30, 7 May 2021

ENDS