RETAILERS in Donegal are reporting a slow start to the Deposit Return Scheme, noting initial confusion and annoyance, but also highlighting positive feedback from customers.

The recycling initiative came into effect on February 1 and involves customers paying 15c or 25c extra for drinks in plastic bottles and cans, with the option to reclaim the fee from Reverse Vending Machines.

Coyle’s Centra in Raphoe is among the outlets that forked out €20,000 for one of the recycling machines

“Around 50 bottles and cans were processed through the machine in the first week. I anticipate that number will rise to between 1,000 and 1,500 containers once the system fully takes off,” revealed manager Edward Coyle.

Once customers place their empty bottle or can into the recycling machine they receive a receipt which can be used to claim cash at the till or used towards the cost of groceries in the store. All eligible drinks containers display the Re-turn logo.

“So far, most people take the cash but I expect that will change in time as people get used to the new system and begin to trust it more.

“It will work in the long run but in the meantime people are educating themselves and we as retailers are also helping to inform people about how it all works.

“We are still in the introductory stage. This thing only went live on the 1st of February. It will work because it’s a good system. There has been a lot of negativity but that is outweighed by the positive reaction. Yes, it’s more work but recycling is more work,” added Edward.

Coyle’s in Raphoe is one of just 41 stores across Donegal that have installed a recycling machine to fully row in behind the Deposit Return Scheme. Edward explains that many shoppers are annoyed that they’re being charged the extra 15c or 25c even though a container might not have the Re-turn logo displayed.

“We have to explain that the barcode, not the logo, will allow them to claim back the charge. This will become less of an issue as more containers are produced that will display the logo and that will end the confusion.

“There are a good few customers who think I’m making extra profit but we just have to explain to them how the system works.

“There is no profit for anyone in this process. I’m charged extra by the supplier. That is passed onto the customer and then the customer can get a refund,” explained Edward.

Shops have the option to opt out of the new recycling system but are required to display a sign directing customers to the nearest Reverse Vending Machine.

Ireland is perceived to lag behind its EU counterparts in terms of recycling efforts, but the initiative is expected to yield positive results in the long run.

“I remember people saying that the plastic bag levy resulted in seeing fewer bags in hedges etc. People will soon start saying the same about plastic bottles and cans on the sides of roads and in ditches,” suggests Edward.

It seems that many young entrepreneurs, mainly male teenagers, have been collecting bottles and cans in hopes of earning extra cash from the new machines, only to be disappointed when the barcode reveals that the containers are too old to qualify for the scheme.

Ireland must reach a recycling target of 90% by 2029 and the Deposit Return Scheme has been introduced in order to comply with the European Union’s Single Use Plastics Directive.

“By the way, because a lot of people ask; the receipt from the machine is also recycled. Everything is recycled,” concluded Edward.