Re-turn confirms take-back exemptions for plastic bottles and containers

Stores and off-licences with a retail area of less than 250 sq ms will be able to apply for a take-back exemption

In preparation for going live on 1 February 2024, Re-turn, the operator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for empty bottles/containers, have announced the take- back exemptions for deposit return.

Retailers operating from shops and off-licences with a retail area of less than 250 sq. ms will be able to apply for a take-back exemption. This is to facilitate smaller retailers with limited retail and storage space.

The news has been welcomed by retailers’ organisation RGDATA, which says it was one of the issues the association had sought on behalf of non-producer retailers.

They will also need to display a QR code locator – visible to all customers in-store – to find the nearest Deposit Return Point.

According to Re-turn, the exemption will alleviate the take-back pressure on smaller retailers and will result in a large number of takeaways, mobile vans, vending machines and a range of other small venues being able to apply for a take-back exemption.

For more information on the take-back exemptions, click here.