Menu
08/08/2019
Time For Plastic Bottle Rebate Scheme Trial - FG
Fine Gael has called for a trial of a plastic bottle rebate scheme as part of Ireland's fight against climate breakdown.
Making the call, Dublin North West TD, Noel Rock, said: "Deposit return schemes for plastic bottles work very well on the continent but the idea has been mooted and stalled several times here in Ireland and is now under review again.
"As a society we are becoming increasingly aware of the threat posed by plastic waste to the environment, and particularly to our oceans and wildlife.
"The urgency needed at this juncture cannot be understated.
"Trialling a plastic bottle rebate scheme, drawing on the best examples of international best practices, is a way to move this idea forward and iron out any problems in real time.
"Such a scheme would fit in with the ambitious targets set out in the Government's recently published Climate Action Plan.
"Any scheme would need to put an onus on retailers and producers of plastic waste. One idea is so-called 'reversible vending machines', which have been trialled in supermarkets in the UK. This is an interesting idea as it makes returning bottles to collect your deposit something that simply becomes part of your shopping routine.
"There are various models for deposit return schemes. In Denmark for example, drinks in non-reusable containers are sold with a deposit rate of €0.20 for plastic bottles that are 500mls – which would be the standard soft-drink size and €0.40 for plastic bottles over 1 litre. The Denmark scheme also encompasses drinks cans.
"I believe this is a good model for Ireland to look at. A European Parliament report noted that within three years a recycling rate of 84pc for single-use drinks packaging was achieved using the deposit and return (DRS) model. Denmark also primarily uses reversible vending machines, with smaller shops also able to collect returned bottles.
"Dublin also already has a significant network of bring centres around the city where people can bring food waste, glass bottles and items for recycling.
"Rebate schemes such as this can reduce plastic waste going to landfill by increasing recycling rates. They also combat litter, which is something that many communities in Dublin would welcome warmly.
"While Ireland has a good rate of recycling among residents overall, there is a concern over whether households are recycling correctly. A plastic bottle rebate scheme would also be a chance to educate people to a greater extent on what is recyclable.
"A smaller-scale DRS for plastic bottles and containers should be trialled in North Dublin. A recent IBAL survey identified a disappointing result for Ballymun, which is now considered a litter blackspot," he concluded.
(MH/CM)
Making the call, Dublin North West TD, Noel Rock, said: "Deposit return schemes for plastic bottles work very well on the continent but the idea has been mooted and stalled several times here in Ireland and is now under review again.
"As a society we are becoming increasingly aware of the threat posed by plastic waste to the environment, and particularly to our oceans and wildlife.
"The urgency needed at this juncture cannot be understated.
"Trialling a plastic bottle rebate scheme, drawing on the best examples of international best practices, is a way to move this idea forward and iron out any problems in real time.
"Such a scheme would fit in with the ambitious targets set out in the Government's recently published Climate Action Plan.
"Any scheme would need to put an onus on retailers and producers of plastic waste. One idea is so-called 'reversible vending machines', which have been trialled in supermarkets in the UK. This is an interesting idea as it makes returning bottles to collect your deposit something that simply becomes part of your shopping routine.
"There are various models for deposit return schemes. In Denmark for example, drinks in non-reusable containers are sold with a deposit rate of €0.20 for plastic bottles that are 500mls – which would be the standard soft-drink size and €0.40 for plastic bottles over 1 litre. The Denmark scheme also encompasses drinks cans.
"I believe this is a good model for Ireland to look at. A European Parliament report noted that within three years a recycling rate of 84pc for single-use drinks packaging was achieved using the deposit and return (DRS) model. Denmark also primarily uses reversible vending machines, with smaller shops also able to collect returned bottles.
"Dublin also already has a significant network of bring centres around the city where people can bring food waste, glass bottles and items for recycling.
"Rebate schemes such as this can reduce plastic waste going to landfill by increasing recycling rates. They also combat litter, which is something that many communities in Dublin would welcome warmly.
"While Ireland has a good rate of recycling among residents overall, there is a concern over whether households are recycling correctly. A plastic bottle rebate scheme would also be a chance to educate people to a greater extent on what is recyclable.
"A smaller-scale DRS for plastic bottles and containers should be trialled in North Dublin. A recent IBAL survey identified a disappointing result for Ballymun, which is now considered a litter blackspot," he concluded.
(MH/CM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 January 2019
Govt Leading The Way In Reducing Single Plastics Use
Government departments, public bodies and schools will lead the way in the response to cutting down on single use plastics, with a number of measures, including no longer purchasing single-use plastic cups, cutlery and straws for use within their offices.
Govt Leading The Way In Reducing Single Plastics Use
Government departments, public bodies and schools will lead the way in the response to cutting down on single use plastics, with a number of measures, including no longer purchasing single-use plastic cups, cutlery and straws for use within their offices.
07 January 2011
Irish Waste Recyclers Join Forces
It's 'waste not, want not' as two leading recycling companies have joined forces in a deal they claim will ease pressure on Ireland's landfill sites - and potentially save companies £10,000 a year in waste charges.
Irish Waste Recyclers Join Forces
It's 'waste not, want not' as two leading recycling companies have joined forces in a deal they claim will ease pressure on Ireland's landfill sites - and potentially save companies £10,000 a year in waste charges.
04 April 2011
Gardaí Arrest Man Over Assaults
Gardaí are investigating two assaults that took place yesterday evening in Dublin. Yesterday, around 6pm in St. Anne's Park, a man in his late 20s approached a father who was with his partner and their young child. Without provocation, the man assaulted the father with a broken bottle leaving him with minor injuries.
Gardaí Arrest Man Over Assaults
Gardaí are investigating two assaults that took place yesterday evening in Dublin. Yesterday, around 6pm in St. Anne's Park, a man in his late 20s approached a father who was with his partner and their young child. Without provocation, the man assaulted the father with a broken bottle leaving him with minor injuries.
15 April 2009
Garda Struck With Bottle At Beach Rave
A Garda has had to receive treatment after being struck on the forehead by a bottle. The incident occurred as officers investigated complaints about a beach "rave" in Dublin. The officer, who is in his 30s, was left bleeding profusely from a head wound after an unknown attacker threw a glass bottle from the crowd leaving him with head injuries.
Garda Struck With Bottle At Beach Rave
A Garda has had to receive treatment after being struck on the forehead by a bottle. The incident occurred as officers investigated complaints about a beach "rave" in Dublin. The officer, who is in his 30s, was left bleeding profusely from a head wound after an unknown attacker threw a glass bottle from the crowd leaving him with head injuries.
27 August 2008
Kerry Man Stabbed In Face With Bottle
A man has been stabbed in face with a broken bottle during a violent assault on Tuesday night. The man in his 30s is recovering in hospital in Kerry following the incident, which took place in Tralee town centre just after 1.00am. The incident is believed to have taken place on Denny Street, a busy street with many guest houses and bars.
Kerry Man Stabbed In Face With Bottle
A man has been stabbed in face with a broken bottle during a violent assault on Tuesday night. The man in his 30s is recovering in hospital in Kerry following the incident, which took place in Tralee town centre just after 1.00am. The incident is believed to have taken place on Denny Street, a busy street with many guest houses and bars.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
