Deposit Return Scheme For Empty Plastic Bottles & Aluminium Cans.

**Aldi,** *(Translated “Albrecht Discount”)* **Kickham St, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, *[E41 YP28]* Thurles** **has ‘Deposit Return Scheme‘ machinery for empty Bottles & Cans, installed in advance of the February 2024 recycle deadline**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

Ireland will soon be introducing a Deposit Return Scheme.
In February 2024, when you buy a drink in a plastic bottle, aluminium or steel can that features the Re-turn logo, consumers will pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink. When you return your empty, undamaged container to any retail outlet, you will get your deposit back in full.

Convenient for Everyone:
With return points all across Ireland, returning your Re-turn drinks containers couldn’t be easier. Anywhere that sells drinks with the Re-turn logo, must accept your empty, undamaged containers and refund your deposit in cash or against other purchases

Communities Together:
Recycling is one of the most effective actions we can take as individuals and communities to tackle climate change. Working together with a common purpose, we can protect our communities and create a healthy and positive footprint for future generations.

Protecting our Environment:
Internationally, Deposit Return Schemes have proven very successful in reducing litter. By placing a monetary value on these drinks containers, there is more incentive for consumers to return them, rather than littering our environment.

Economy Initiative:
As a circular economy initiative, the new Deposit Return Scheme aims to move away from the ‘take make and dispose’ culture to one of returning valuable materials, and keeping them in the economy for as long as possible.

General Comment:
Pity that only returns bearing the ‘Re-turn logo‘ are being accepted. No incentive for people to pickup empty cans already discarded across our Irish countryside.