Cash for cans is on the way after the Government announced details of a nationwide system that will give consumers cashback for empty cans and bottles.
You will be able to get 15c back for a regular small soft drink can and 25c for an ordinary plastic water bottle of 500mls or larger.
However, it also means that drinks in cans and plastic bottles will become dearer because there will be an extra deposit tax slapped on these drinks to help pay for the new scheme.
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A non-profit company called Return.ie will run a network of special vending machines that will give you money back in return for your empty used aluminium cans and plastic bottles.
When you’re finished putting your old (clean) cans and bottles into the recycling machine, you will receive a ticket which can be used as a voucher for the store the machine is located in, can be exchanged for cash, or donated to a charity.
The move comes as the Coalition battles to meet strict EU plastic recycling targets or face stiff penalties from Brussels.
Irish people go through 1.9billion drinks in plastic bottles and cans here every year.
Ossian Smyth is the Cabinet Minister with special responsibility for the circular economy.
He said: "We are not recycling enough to meet our EU targets.
“We've got a target for 2025 and one for 2030, and in order to do that, we believe that we need to give people an incentive to bring back the bottle or the can.
"Many people are putting it into their green bin, but it's just not enough and a lot are ending up on the ground - so, there is a lot of litter.
"A benefit that's going to come out of this scheme is that people are not going to have a party and leave a lot of cans and bottles on the ground because they're going to be worth money."
He said he is "sure that there is going to be far less litter as a result".
Mr Smyth said the system would be easy for consumers to use.
He told RTE’s Morning Ireland: “I think people understand what it's about.
“It's just the same as when you arrive at the supermarket, and you need a trolley and you put in a coin, and you put down a deposit and you get it back when you return the trolley.
"When you return the bottle, you will get the refund back."
The reverse vending machines are expected to be operational in locations all over the country from February 2024.
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