Deposit return scheme (recycling) - Part 2

https://www.checkout.ie/packaging-design/a-step-closer-to-the-circular-economy-198985

Hey Minister!

I pay the deposit, clean the bottle/can-sort it for ReTurn and bring it to the RVM!

When do I get fecking paid!

“One of the big learnings that we took away from our examination of the
Deposit Return Schemes in other countries was that everyone in the
Deposit Return Scheme chain has to be paid for their work.

Just taking the three bullet points you mention in addition to mine

1 electronic refunds would suit some and if they can be incorporated to run alongside the current system I was would support that.

2 the present machines have to read the barcodes so I don't think they can be adapted to accept crushed cans.

3 for many people the shop is the obvious place to use an RVM. Personally I fit it in with a trip to the shop and want that to continue. If bulk machines were introduced I expect they would be at civic amenity sites. Would that suit your requirement for a non shop location ?

4 I've already covered the threatened bin charge increase and I'm totally opposed to any increase. I'm not sure what you mean by sweetener.

I expect details of how much the cash pile is will be released and plans for using it too.

There have been a few posts about reducing plastic use today. It's a much wider subject than DRS and I'm not sure it's on topic.

Dunnes Stores machine today refused this bottle "barcode not accepted/recognised at this machine, please recycle elsewhere"

Carrick Glen water

I dont share you're optimism for incoming transparency on deposit figures

I have zero optimism for transparency.

It's misleading to say Australia does certain things, when it varies from State to State. South Australia started their scheme in 1977, and I doubt it is the same today as back then. Tasmania is still working on bringing in a scheme.

"Tasmania

In December 2014 a state-based deposit scheme was rejected by the government, citing costs and the need to ship containers to the Australian mainland for processing. Various environmental organisations, including The Greens and many Tasmanian local councils have been pushing for a scheme in Tasmania for many years. Most people are in favour of a scheme according to various studies that have been conducted over the years."

Australia is a lot bigger than the EU by area. 7.688 million km² as against 4.423 km². There are many variations, so you would need to outline the history of any schemes you want me to compare. One which started in February 2024 is likely to have evolved less than ones which are in operation for decades. And there has always been local debate everywhere, with many voices declaring the schemes to be scams. This is from Melbourne 7 month ago on Reddit: (Victoria started their scheme in November 2023, so may be going through some growing pains).

PSA

Just went to drop off a bunch of cans, all of which were labelled “10c refund at collection”. Turns out this was not the case for most of them.

The helpful fella at the collection point said if the cans don’t have a barcode, they can’t be scanned. That ruled out a whole bunch of craft beers in my haul.

He also said many local brews don’t scan either, even with a barcode (ie Burnley Brewing pale ale and Jarrah Boy lager, which I discovered).

I’m in CDS West, so it might be a problem with the provider. I couldn’t find any info about ineligible cans online. But yeah, if you rock up with a heap of cans, be aware that you might have to chuck some in the yellow bin anyway.

actually the law of unintended consequences has our house buying MORE plastic rather than recyclable cans. The price for cans is now off the charts so now we’re more likely to buy the large plastic bottles

cans get melted, random rubbish you put in will just burn off and they are absolutely still being recycled. So you're not doing anything other than running the risk of cutting your fingers doing that pointless petulance.

Yes because you have to pay the f'n deposit to get it back, if it was €6.00 for 4 cans it is now €6.60 (6.00 plus 4 x 0.15)

If a shop is charging more plus the deposit that is a price increase.

Tetrapak is plastic bottle which try to look like paper one. Bit less of plastic yet completely not recyclable.

No it's not and it will not be considered inflationary by the CSO. It's a deposit. If I hire from a hire company I pay a deposit for to return the item when I return the item my deposit is refunded I cannot write the deposit off against tax . It's similar with DRS its not a price increase, it's not a tax it's a deposit.

We had all this hooh ha with the smoking ban and the plastic bag tax. A cohort believed the sky was falling in. Of course there are some teething issues most will be sorted over the next couple of months

Glad you put that caveat in there to clarify your comment.

Your obviously not bothered about a lot of producers using the opportunity to ramp up the base cost of the product or the additional fee that will surely be added or has already been added to your bin charges.

Never mind the oceans of issues that have been outlined on this thread.

It's worked for you because you are getting your money back. Great stuff.

Tetra Pack is made of 14% plastic sheets, 5% aluminium, 6% from a bio-plastic cap and 75% cardboard.

It is recyclable but it is a complicated process.

https://www.fiftyshadesgreener.ie/blog/the-very-questionable-sustainability-of-tetra-pak

Typically the truck driver never even sees the RVM.

Those bins are left in the yard on collection day.

The truck drives in and empties them just like your wheelie bin.

There is no handling, you are the last person to touch the bottle/can.

The deposit has been added to the price of the goods not much else in most cases. It's a deposit it's refundable have you never heard of a deposit.

There was a time when all glass bottles had a deposit on them it's stopped about 50 years ago. Often remember returning a few and having the price of a chewey bar

If you can't return your cans to a DRS, it is a price increase.

The point the poster is making, and I agree, is that the cost of the item has increased. Whether it's partially a deposit or not. In January if I had six euro in my pocket and six euro only I could have bought those cans. 6 euro isn't enough to buy them any more......

Now that's just with the DRS fee

The base prices of cans bottles etc across the board has increased also.

Oh yes, 24 packs of water have gone up €2 per slab (before adding the tax)

Yay!

Sure I recall it.. the thing is though our parents at the time weren't already paying for glass collection. Whereas we've been paying and still pay for recyle collection inc these cans and bottles. There was no need for it, all it needed was better advice and enforcement of the existing system with more litter wardens etc

True…… but you well know the point that many/ most households are already paying for the collection and recycling of these. If segregating was an issue, why don't we likewise have 'can banks' etc.

I find it difficult to have sympathy for foe tge vast majority buying bottled water unless they are in aboil water notice area. Buy a reusable water battle and fill it out of a tap. Our tap water is probably the finest in the EU.

But the problem was on the go waste. Only 23% were recycled. A significant proportion were dumped out the window of cars in rural areas or left on the beach on a day out. Only way to hit a 90 recycling target was to introduce a deposit scheme. If you ever took part in a local cleanup day 70-80% was bottles and cans dumped on the roadside

And the sooner they bring in the coffee cup levy the better.

Was not aware of that, thank you. Good to know.

You're the one making it get burned, by acting like a petulant 5 year old, even if you are presumably over whatever the minimum age to register here is (13?)

It's based on the fact that it is common place around towns and villages. I walk regularly I do a 3 mile circle. I carry a plastic bag with me. Every week on the half mile either side of my house as I return home I pick the rubbish. I get 8-10 cans and bottles everywhere week. It pretty common place people threw them out of there cars. I.agine that