Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
193. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any consideration has been given to implementing a deposit return scheme for single-use paper items, similar to the trial being conducted for plastic containers; the evidence used to inform his deliberations on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17170/23]
View answerIn November 2022, I launched Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single use PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans. DRS aims to boost the recycling rate for these beverage containers by charging a small, refundable deposit to customers at the point of sale.
Materials included in the DRS are those for which Ireland faces immediate, challenging EU recycling targets. The EU Single Use Plastics Directive sets a recycling target of 77% by 2025 and 90% by 2029 for single use plastic beverage bottles. The revised EU Packaging Directive also sets 2025 and 2030 targets for individual packaging streams, including a recycling target for aluminium of 50% by 2025 and 60% by 2030.
A separate DRS for other materials is not envisaged at this time, however the department continues to assess the best approach to dealing with other materials, which may in the future include new schemes such as deposit return, extended producer responsibility, levies on single use items or outright prohibitions similar to those introduced under the EU's Single Use Plastics Directive.
