Shower of plamasing cunts
Our streets are covered in rubbish
1 Like
https://www.38north.org/2021/06/turning-waste-into-treasure-north-koreas-recycling-push/
The North Koreans have shown us what is possible.
Yes, yours are
The lady who dreamt up the scheme is back in her native Wisconsin shopping for a holiday home.
Here’s a summary of what’s known so far about the effects of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS, “Re-turn”) on recycling and litter — things that are already shown, what looks promising, and what challenges remain. If you like, I can also look at academic assessments (journals etc.) for more rigorous studies.
What is the scheme
Launched 1 February 2024.
Applies to plastic drink bottles and aluminium/steel cans with a “Re-turn” logo. Consumers pay a small deposit (15c for containers up to 500ml; 25c for over 500ml up to 3L) which is refunded when the empty
What impacts have been observed so far
Here’s what the data over the first ~1–1.5 years tells us:
Metric Before / Early After (so far) Change / Effect
Recycling rate for plastic bottles & aluminium/steel cans ~ 49% (just before scheme) ~ 91% as of mid-2025 Large increase; scheme is capturing ~76% of containers directly via DRS and remainder via mixed (dry) recycling.
Number of containers returned — Over 1.6 billion bottles & cans returned since launch (as of ~mid-2025) Very large participation in absolute terms.
Litter reduction (bottles & cans items) — ~ 50% fewer bottles & cans being littered, according to IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter) surveys.
Marine litter / beaches Historically higher levels of bottles and cans. Lowest levels of bottle/can litter on Irish shores in 25 years, per Coastwatch.
Public participation — ~ 84% participation rate in the scheme by public (people using it) after ~1 year.
What seems promising / positive
Behavioural change: The financial incentive seems to be working — people are returning containers, the volume is high, the public is engaging.
Recycling quality: Because containers are returned separately (through DRS) rather than being mixed in with general recycling bins, the quality of material being recycled is higher — less contamination, more usable material.
Litter type specificity: There is particularly strong improvement in reduction of bottles & cans litter — those are exactly what the scheme targets. So it is succeeding in that domain.
Awareness & infrastructure rollout: There are a large number of return points / reverse vending machines, and community / charity organisations are using the scheme for fundraising etc., which helps cement behaviour.
Overall assessment
On balance, early evidence suggests that Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme is having a significant positive impact on both recycling rates and reducing litter from bottles & cans. It appears to be working well in its first year (or so), exceeding some expectations:
Recycling rates for the covered containers jumped dramatically;
Litter in those categories has dropped substantially;
Public participation is strong.
Yes, I’d like a more rigorous analysis please. This looks like a puff piece. I’d also like to see figures for “bags for life” that have become single use plastics due to their use for ferrying cans to the DRS.
1 Like
Double use surely?
Maximum.
Dublin is covered in it
I bought a yoke like this in Dunnes last year, leave it in the shed and once full off I go, fellow Returnees look at me in envy as they haul their dripping bags across the car park, quick wash under the outside tap and off we start the process again.
6 Likes
Bully for you. SuperValu Sutton has a dumpster beside the DRS that’s full to the brim of used plastic bags.
2 Likes
Rodders will be able to fit the entire party into his electric mini.
1 Like
A lot of people are thick as pig shit, a load more have notions, that’s not the fault of the machines or the Green Party in fairness
Green Party choo choose Hazel as Deputy Leader. Carlow teachers better watch out
2 Likes
Hopefully that’ll bring about the end of those horrible cunts.
Climate change aint going away
See poor enniscorthy
I thought the Re-Turn machines had reversed climate change?
1 Like
They reversed litter mate
Thanks for that reminder to visit the COTY thread.