Key takeaway
Since 2024, Ireland charges a deposit on plastic bottles and cans — here's how to get your money back and where the machines are.
What is the Deposit Return Scheme?
Ireland's Deposit Return Scheme (branded "Re-turn") launched in February 2024. When you buy a drink in an eligible plastic bottle or aluminium can, a small deposit is added to the price. You get that deposit back when you return the empty container to a reverse vending machine (RVM).
Which containers are included?
- Plastic (PET) bottles from 150ml to 3 litres — water, soft drinks, juice
- Aluminium cans from 150ml to 500ml
- Glass bottles are NOT currently included in the Irish scheme
Look for the green "Re-turn" logo on the packaging — if it has the logo, it's eligible.
Deposit amounts
- Containers up to 500ml — 15 cent deposit
- Containers over 500ml — 25 cent deposit
How to return and get your money back
- Collect your empty Re-turn labelled bottles and cans
- Take them to a reverse vending machine (RVM) in a supermarket or participating retailer
- Feed each container into the machine — it scans the barcode and accepts it
- Receive a printed voucher (or digital credit in some stores) for the total deposit value
- Redeem the voucher at the store checkout — as cash off your shopping or as change
Where are the machines?
RVMs are located in most Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, SuperValu, Dunnes, and Centra stores across Ireland. Find your nearest machine at re-turn.ie. The map is updated regularly as more locations are added.
Important: don't put Re-turn bottles in the green bin
Bottles and cans covered by the scheme should be returned via an RVM — not put in the green recycling bin. The scheme tracks deposit recovery separately from general recycling. You lose your deposit if you put Re-turn items in the green bin.
General guidance only. Always verify with official sources — gov.ie, citizensinformation.ie, hse.ie.