Public send complaints to minister Eamon Ryan about ‘punishing’ Deposit Return Scheme

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has received dozens of complaints from the public about the controversial deposit return scheme for recycling cans and bottles.

These complaints include multiple letters from people with health issues and disabilities, as well as from immuno-compromised people, wondering if it was fair or even possible to expect them to visit supermarkets when they normally had their groceries delivered.

“I am disabled following a stroke, live alone and have no car,” one person wrote. “I’ve been informed by my supermarket that delivery drivers cannot accept returnable bottles/cans and I must bring them to my nearest shop. Would you kindly explain to me exactly how I can do this as a disabled pensioner?”

Another asked if there should be some form of dispensation for elderly or vulnerable people worried about catching Covid in a crowded supermarket.

There was a similar direct plea to Mr Ryan’s Leinster House email address from another person with a disability and mobility issues.

“I certainly cannot carry empty bottles and cans to a reverse vending machine. Sure I cannot even physically go to the shop in the first place,” they wrote.

“I am very dependent on the supermarket delivery to give me any sort of independence in life. As pathetic as that sounds, it is the truth.”

Another person with a disability said they had always been “militant” about doing their best when it came to recycling — but the new scheme would “hit the poorest people the hardest”.

Many of the emails were from people who were already happy to recycle using their green bins and wondered why an extra step was necessary.

“Surely it’s not a very green policy to now have to travel by car to your nearest shop and stand at a machine with bottles when they could be placed in a recycling bin at home?” one wrote.

Another habitual recycler said it seemed like a “collective punishment” for other people who did not bother to sort their rubbish.

“Although I like the premise of the idea, it is deeply flawed and not thought- out,” they complained.

One person felt the scheme wrongly targeted the public — when indeed it was industry that should be discouraged from manufacturing so much single-use packaging.

“Basically, you’re punishing people who did things right in the first place.”​

Another was of the same view, ­writing: “Once again, the Government deems that the person with the least amount of power in this situation should bear the cost of this initiative. There is no alternative packaging available, no political will to ban the use of plastics — just another green stick with no carrot.”

Others were opposed to the scheme full-stop and blamed the Green Party, with one saying the party’s only ideas seemed to involve “extra taxes and fines”.

One email said: “I can’t wait for a member of your party to knock on my door for the local elections. I will give them a large black bag of empty cans.”

Another said they were concerned that if people brought bottles to a shop and they were rejected by the machine, it could lead to dumping.

“Where do you think aggrieved people are gonna throw them away? Hint, it won’t be a recycling bin, out of pettiness.”

There were numerous complaints about machines that didn’t work.

“Went to recycle my plastic bottles and cans today,” one email said. “I drove a distance, used the machine with approximately 40 items, three of them registered — 55c receipt. Felt rather foolish. Disappointed after the effort I made.”

In a statement, the Department of the Environment said that since the scheme began in February, more than 74m containers had been returned with €13m refunded.

On accessibility issues, they said they were working on an engagement process with the National Disability Authority to work on a best-practice approach.

The spokeswoman said: “While some locations have experienced issues, the overall availability rate averages at about 85pc. Re-turn is focusing considerable resources on improving this.”

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