On August 2nd, 2026, Thurles.Info highlighted the growing litter problem caused by drinks containers being discarded on streets, roadsides and in public spaces around Thurles and other Irish towns.
Among the containers increasingly being found are round aluminium BuzzBallz cocktail cans and miniature plastic bottles used for spirits and cocktail mixes. Many of these containers cannot be returned through Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme.
The scheme generally covers PET plastic drinks bottles and aluminium or steel drinks cans with a capacity of between 150ml and three litres. However, containers must also display the Re-turn logo and carry a barcode registered with the Irish scheme. To be accepted, they must be empty, undamaged and retain their original shape.
Consequently, an imported or unregistered container may be rejected by a Reverse Vending Machine, even when it is made from aluminium or PET plastic and falls within the specified volume range. Miniature glass bottles and containers made from plastics other than PET remain outside the scheme.
Our original report can be read here: Alcohol Containers Fast Becoming New Litter Menace In Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Government Minister’s office contacted
Following publication of that report, we contacted Minister of State Mr Alan Dillon, who has responsibility for the Circular Economy at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
We received the following standard automated acknowledgement:
“Thank you for your email to Minister of State Alan Dillon’s Office. Your correspondence will be brought to the attention of the Minister and relevant officials in the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
Please be advised that if the issue raised in your correspondence is more appropriate to another Government Department or Agency, your correspondence will be forwarded to that organisation for direct response, in accordance with the provisions of the Department’s Data Protection Policy.”
This acknowledgement merely confirms receipt of our correspondence. It provides no substantive response to the litter problem raised and offers no indication as to what action, if any, may be taken.
Bottled water without the Re-turn logo
We have again contacted Minister Dillon’s office after observing Irish retailers selling multipacks of bottled water whose packaging states that the bottles are “100% recyclable”, but which do not appear to display the official Re-turn logo.
“100% recyclable” is not the same as being eligible for a deposit refund
Under the published scheme rules, in-scope containers must display the Re-turn logo and carry a barcode registered with the scheme. Re-turn states that all in-scope drinks containers placed on the Irish market must meet these labelling requirements.
The water shown in our accompanying photograph above is sold in 500ml plastic bottles; a size that would normally fall within the scope of the Deposit Return Scheme if the bottles are made from PET plastic and properly registered. Their apparent lack of a Re-turn logo therefore raises questions as to why such products are being offered for sale and whether Irish consumers can return them for a deposit refund.
Without a financial incentive to return these bottles, more of them are ending up discarded along roadsides, on streets and in other public places, adding to an already serious litter nuisance.
Consumers who see a recycling symbol may understandably believe that a bottle can be placed in a Reverse Vending Machine. If the machine then rejects it because its barcode is not registered or because it lacks the required Re-turn marking, the system becomes confusing and public confidence is weakened.
We now respectfully ask Minister Dillon and his Department to clarify:
Why drinks containers that appear to fall within the scheme’s material and volume requirements are still being offered for sale without the Re-turn logo?
Whether retailers are permitted to sell such products in Ireland?
Which authority is responsible for inspecting retailers and enforcing compliance/
What measures will be taken to include, or otherwise address, aluminium cocktail containers, miniature bottles and other drinks packaging currently falling outside the scheme?
Whether the Deposit Return Scheme will be reviewed to prevent avoidable gaps that contribute to litter?
Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme can reduce litter only when the containers most likely to be discarded are included and when consumers can easily identify what is returnable.
A recyclable container that cannot be returned is still a container that can become litter.
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