Last year, I signed the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021, providing the legal framework for a national deposit return scheme. The Regulations require that the approved body who will operate the scheme, must achieve separate collection rates for recycling of in-scope bottles in accordance with Directive 2019/904/EC on the reduction of the impact of certain plastics on the environment and also achieve EU recycling targets for in-scope containers, or aluminium or steel beverage containers.
By 2025, Ireland must ensure the separate collection of 77% of plastic beverage bottles placed on the market (by weight), rising to 90% by 2029. In the case of aluminium, the current EU recycling target is set at 50% by 2025 and rises to 60% by 2030. While Ireland’s recycling rate of 54% currently surpasses the EU recycling target, we will need to improve our performance further. I expect the deposit return scheme to contribute significantly to target attainment for both material streams.
In advance of the introduction of the Scheme later this year, I will introduce Regulations to establish, among other things, the level of deposit for the materials to be collected.