Call for Re-turn’s unclaimed millions to fund cleaning up bin scavenger messes

Irish consumers left behind €60.1 million in unclaimed Re-turn deposits last year, which Councillor Gayle Ralph believes should be partially ringfenced to fund cleaning up messes left by bin scavengers

News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 13:25, 04 Aug 2026 Updated 14:22, 04 Aug 2026 View 2 Images Ripped open bin on O'Connell Street

Funds accrued from the Deposit Return Scheme should be redirected to assist with cleaning up messes left by scavengers according to one Dublin City Councillor.

Fine Gael Cllr Gayle Ralph has called for the establishment of a dedicated local authority support fund to help councils meet the growing cost of keeping streets clean following the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme. Last year, Irish consumers left behind €60.1 million as they failed to redeem their deposits for drink containers.

At the same time, councils across the country have been facing increased waste management costs due to the prevalence of ‘bin scavengers’ in search of unused deposits. Cllr Ralph said that while the scheme was introduced with positive environmental objectives, it has also created unintended consequences that local authorities are now being left to manage.

"Across Dublin people are searching through public bins for bottles and cans. Too often, rubbish is left strewn across our streets afterwards, creating unnecessary work for Dublin City Council's street cleansing teams and frustration for residents,” she said.

" Dublin City Council has estimated that dealing with bin interference linked to the scheme has already cost approximately €500,000. That is a significant cost to the public purse."

View 2 Images Re-turn machines (stock) (Image: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

To counteract this, Cllr Ralph has written to Re-turn Chief Executive Ciarán Foley proposing that a proportion of any surpluses generated by the scheme be ring-fenced to support local authorities dealing with these additional costs. This should include additional street cleansing as well as improved public bin infrastructure.

“The Deposit Return Scheme should not result in councils being left with a larger clean-up bill. If the scheme is generating substantial surpluses, then it is only fair that some of those funds are used to offset the costs being incurred by councils and, ultimately, taxpayers,” she said.

"This is about fairness. Local authorities are dealing with the consequences of the scheme every day. They should not have to carry those costs alone."

A total of 1.4 billion containers were returned last year, which equated to a return rate of 76.4%. However, that still left over €60m on the table which a spokesperson from Re-turn states goes toward operating costs and reinvested to support and improve the scheme.

“This includes expanding the return network, rolling out bulk-feed reverse vending machines, investing in infrastructure and consumer education, and progressing Ireland’s first PET bottle-to-bottle recycling facility,” a statement on the Re-turn website said.

But, Cllr Ralph believes there a portion of these funds should go toward local authorities carrying the burden of clean-up costs. “I think there is an opportunity to further strengthen the scheme by ensuring a portion of those funds is used to address the unintended impacts,” she said in a letter to Mr Foley.

“This would show that the scheme is committed not only to improving recycling rates but also to supporting the communities and local authorities dealing with its unintended consequences. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this proposal and explore how Re-turn and councils can work together to ensure the Deposit Return Scheme continues to be both environmentally successful and beneficial for our city,” she said.

After it emerged last February that additional cleaning as a result of the Re-turn scheme is costing between €500,000 and €1m per year, a spokesperson from Re-turn said they will engage with the council . "While Re-turn was not previously informed of the costs outlined, it would welcome the opportunity to better understand and discuss them. Our goal is to support our partners in delivering a successful Deposit Return Scheme in Ireland," they said.

"Since the scheme’s introduction, recycling rates for in-scope containers have increased from 49% to an estimated rate of over 90%, with over 76% captured directly through the scheme. Independent data also shows a 60% reduction in bottle and can litter nationwide, with Ireland’s coastlines recording the lowest levels in 25 years.

"Re-turn has partnered with local authorities, including Dublin City Council, to install bin surrounds nationwide, making on-the-go recycling more visible and accessible while helping to reduce rummaging and protect valuable recyclable materials. Consumers are encouraged to return bottles and cans through the scheme to ensure they are recycled and deposits are refunded.

"While Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme is still relatively new, approximately 800 million additional bottles and cans are now recycled annually compared with before the scheme’s launch. We recognise that large-scale change brings challenges, and we remain committed to working collaboratively to address them."

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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