Meath shoppers returned €445,000 since Deposit Return Scheme launch

Leah Doherty

Meath shoppers have redeemed more than €445,000 in vouchers across seven Aldi stores since the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme in February with Navan, Clonee and Kells Aldi stores receiving the most returns.

A total of one million items have been returned in Meath during the month of June bringing the total to 2.6 million since the launch.

The average Aldi store in Meath has processed more than 374,000 items since February, worth more than €63,000 in returned deposits. This number is well ahead of the national average across all of Aldi’s 161 stores in Ireland.

Aldi DRS units have seen a steady increase in the numbers of items returned since February.

Under the scheme empty bottles and cans marked with the Re-turn logo can be returned to the reverse vending machines at all participating retailers, regardless of where the item was originally purchased. Customers receive a voucher for their returned items, which can be put against their shopping bill or returned in cash.

Aldi has also seen a growing trend where customers are adding the value of their DRS vouchers to their Aldi Christmas Savings Card.

Jason Carolan, Plastics & Packaging Manager at Aldi Ireland said: "Customers have redeemed more than €7 million in cash and vouchers at ALDI’s 161 stores, ensuring that more than 42 million items have been returned for recycling through the scheme. We’re proud to play our part in supporting and operating this scheme, which is a key part of helping to ensure more sustainable and circular economic activity.

“We’re sure that it will continue to grow from strength to strength, and we’re excited to see the innovative ways that sports clubs and charitable organisations look to harness its potential."