The new deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans will be a ‘game changer’ for recycling as several local stores signed up to the scheme.

The Deposit Return Scheme came into effect on February 1 and has been welcomed by local Green Party members.

The new, nationwide money-back scheme for plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans was rolled out on Thursday this week. The scheme incentivises people to return used drinks containers so that they can be successfully recycled into new containers.

Diarmaid Griffin has been nominated to run in the local elections this summer by the Green Party.

He said: “Along with the successful Killarney Coffee Cup Project, this initiative paves the way for cleaner streets, parks, and waterways. This scheme is a game changer for recycling and is set to reduce the number of plastic bottles and aluminium cans that go to landfill, and into our natural environment.”

Meanwhile several local SuperValu and Centra stores have signed up for the scheme and will provide bottle banks where recyclable materials can be exchanged for cash.

These include Daly’s SuperValu on the Park Road, and the Centra Stores on Muckross Road and at the The Reeks at the Cleeney Roundabout.

“As part of our strategy to build more sustainable communities and play our part in protecting the planet, we are delighted to roll out the DRS scheme across our SuperValu and Centra stores in Kerry. By investing €28m in the installation of over 600 Reverse Vending Machines in every county in Ireland we hope to make returns as convenient as possible for everyone,” said Ian Allen, Managing Director SuperValu and Centra.

From February 1 , when you buy a drink in a plastic bottle or aluminium can with the Re-turn logo, you will pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink. When you return your empty, undamaged drinks container to any participating retail outlet, you get your deposit back in full. A deposit of 15 cents will apply to containers from 150ml to 500mls, while a deposit of 25 cents will apply to containers between 500ml and 3 litres.