Limerick retailer says 'change of mindset needed' for new recycling scheme

PAYING more for cans and bottles has come to shops from Limerick, as part of the new Deposit Return Scheme. 

Multiple shops in Limerick city and county have introduced big blue recycle units, from this Thursday, February 1.

The purpose of these waste units in-store means that by paying more for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, a consumer can get money back for recycling these products properly.

Shoppers will pay between 15c and 25c extra on cans and bottles and will get that money back by way of a voucher when they return their empty, clean cans and bottles.

Manager Helen Griffin of Garvey’s Supervalu, Corbally, said: “I think it is a great incentive, as recycling is something that we are clearly not doing enough of - locally, you would see a lot of litter on the streets, so I think this scheme will prevent that from happening.

“All a customer simply has to do is insert an undamaged plastic drink bottle or aluminium can with a Re-turn logo into the machine. A voucher will be issued and a person can redeem it at the till. 

“I think it will be a bit slow at the start to take off, but I think people will see the benefits from it and I think a change of mindset is needed, so that people will start using it and realise they can save money doing so.”

About 5 million drinks are consumed in single-use containers in Ireland each day.

How does the Deposit Return Scheme work for customers?

When you buy a drink in a plastic bottle or aluminium can with the Re-turn logo, you will pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink. 

When you return your empty, undamaged drinks container to any participating retail outlet, you get your deposit back in full. A deposit of 15c will apply to containers from 150ml to 500mls, while a deposit of 25c will apply to containers between 500ml and three litres.