According to State Minister Ossian Smyth, 806,000 transactions on Saturday resulted in the repatriation of almost 2.3 million containers.
He stated that 2.2 million containers were returned yesterday, indicating “a steady and significant increase” over the previous few weeks.
The minister said, “The numbers show that the public has embraced the recycling scheme.”
Plastic bottles up to 500 ml, as well as aluminium and steel cans, were subject to a 15-cent refundable fee starting on February 1st. For containers 500 ml and above, there was an additional 25 cent charge.
Over €12.3 million in consumer deposits have been refunded, totalling 70.6 million returned containers. Mr. Smyth oversees developing the circular economy, which gives material reuse first priority.
Christopher O'Sullivan, a Fianna Fáil TD, praised the plan and said that “people had been lining up to knock it” when it was first announced. However, he disclosed that his local computer was broken when he attempted to utilise it.
When it worked on his second visit, he was “over-joyed” and saved €2 on his shopping that day.
Minister Smyth acknowledged TD Paul Murphy of People Before Profit's concern that the programme fails to address the core problem of eliminating single-use plastics.
The minister acknowledged that “reuse is better than recycling,” but he also said that “one single bullet” cannot do it.
During his canvassing, Mr. Murphy recalled “the frustrations a lot of people feel” with the plan.
He said, “Because they went on a bus and returned to the shop with their bags full of bottles.” The device is malfunctioning.
According to the minister, the companies that supply the devices in Ireland are also present in the other forty nations that have comparable programmes in place.
However, he conceded that one in seven individuals was let down by a malfunctioning equipment.
He went on, “The goal rate for operational machines is 90%.”
As Mr. Smyth pointed out, “there really is a learning curve for retailers in managing to maintain these machines,” as occasionally they are just full or require new receipt paper.
He went on, “There will be some changes to the scheme next month,” but he did not elaborate.