Over 70 per cent of adults believe Re-Turn scheme has been a success

Kenneth Fox

A total of 71 per cent of adults believe that the Re-Turn scheme has been a success since it was introduced in Ireland.

2 years after the Re-Turn Scheme was introduced in Ireland, iReach asked adults in Ireland their thoughts on the success and barriers of the Deposit Return Scheme.

1 in 4 adults (25 per cent) use the machines in shops or supermarkets much more than they did at the start, and 14 per cent use them a bit more than they did at the start.

This is highest for adults aged 25-34, with 30 per cent using the machines much more than they did at the start.

13 per cent of adults have used the machines less or stopped using them. 25 per cent of adults aged 18-24 have used them less or stopped using them.

Of those who have used the machines less or stopped altogether, 41 per cent did so as the amount of money refunded does not make it worthwhile.

36 per cent think that having to put items in one-by-one isn’t worth it, 33 per cent think the locations of machines aren’t convenient, and 32 per cent think the machines are faulty.

2 in 3 adults (66 per cent) think the machines have had a positive impact on the environment, with 26 per cent of these strongly agreeing.

This is the highest for adults aged 25-34, with 83 per cent thinking they have a positive impact.

58 per cent of adults think Irish towns and cities are now cleaner because people collect bottles or cans for the rewards, with 21 per cent strongly agreeing.

48 per cent of adults think the deposit return scheme was and is just another way for the government to make money off the Irish population, with 24 per cent feeling this strongly.

Finally, 17 per cent of adults say they have gone back to putting bottles or cans in the green bin due to the hassle of using the machines. This is the highest for 33 per cent of adults aged 18-24.