7 Notice of Motion
7.1 Submitted by Councillor Trevor Golden

To ask Meath County Council to liaise with the Recycling Centre Operator to install a Re-
turn vending machine at the Trim Recycling Centre.

Response
The Deposit Return Scheme, which is a producer led scheme, was rolled out from the 1st
February 2024 and incentivises people to return plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans
so that they can be successfully recycled into new containers. The scheme is operated by
Deposit Return Scheme Ireland (DRSI) CLG, trading as Re-turn and with larger retailers
and some smaller retailers having installed Reverse Vending Machines, (RVMs) at their
premises to automate the deposit return process. Nearly 200 smaller retailers will
operate the scheme on a manual, over-the-counter basis.

The question of expanding the number of RVMs to recycling centres and other facilities
including sporting facilities is a matter which has been raised with the Department of the
Environment, Climate and Communications and it is understood that following the end
of the transition phase in June a review of the roll out will take place and any gaps
identified including possible roles for Local Authorities in locating such infrastructure
within the Recycling centres.