LIVE: Bottle banks cut open to reclaim money from Deposit Return Scheme

Bottle banks have been cut open by people wanting to reclaim money from the Deposit Return Scheme.

The picture above shows a bottle bank in Tipperary where the bins have been cut open.

Local Councillor Liam Browne said: "The law of unintended consequences kicks in, in funny ways. This is the scene from the bottle bank at the recycling centre this morning.

"In an attempt to reclaim money from the recycling scheme. The bottle banks have been cut open to retrieve bottles."

Under the Deposit Return Scheme, when you buy a drink in a container with the re-turn logo, you are charged a small refundable deposit. You can then claim back the levy by returning the empty container.

This bottle and can recycling system is known as the Deposit Return Scheme. The scheme began on February 1, 2024.

The cost of the deposit is automatically added to the cost of the drink.

You can get your deposit by returning your containers as long as they are empty and undamaged.