Clare FM

Aontú's Midwest representative has branded the Deposit Return Scheme an "absolute total failure". The state-wide recycling initiative has drawn much criticism in recent days as new figures have revealed only a fraction of bottles and cans for which deposits were charged have been returned. Upon the introduction of the scheme on February 1st, it was stated that Ireland's 'on-the-go' bottle recycling rate is only 23%. With an estimated 5 million drinks containers consumed each day, a key aim of the scheme is to boost this rate to 90% by 2029. Over 4,000 retailers now have a Deposit Return Scheme machine installed on their premises and the majority of outlets are now charging a deposit of between 15c and 25c on each container. Although Minister Ossian Smyth estimated this would result in €1 million in deposits being returned each day, new figures show over the first 40 days of the scheme, just €1.2 million in deposits have been returned. Aontú's Midwest representative Eric Nelligan believes international best practice not being observed has resulted in a scheme being implemented that isn't "fit-for-purpose". A prominent critical voice in relation to the scheme has been Ennistymon Senator Martin Conway who called for the scheme to be paused prior to its introduction. Addressing Minister Neale Richmond in the Seanad, Senator Conway raised the effect the scheme would have on small businesses and suggested that machines be run by local authorities at designated recycling sites. The Fine Gael Oireachtas member maintains that much like when the smoking ban came in, the new initiative has merit but is encountering teething problems.