Consumers bring back three million plastic bottles and cans in one day

For the first time since its launch in February, the Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottle and drinks cans has seen over three million items returned in one day.

That is according to Re-turn, which operates the scheme.

The new high was achieved last Sunday and it brings the total number of items returned since the scheme launch to over 100 million.

In the month of May, average returns reached 2.37 million items per day - in stark contrast with the 2 million drinks containers returned during the entire first month of the scheme.

Speaking on its progress to date, Ciaran Foley, the CEO of Re-turn, said the scheme was 100 days old at the weekend and returns have gradually improved.

"We are seeing really good support from Irish consumers with continued growth in numbers participating and returning drinks containers each week," Mr Foley said.

"The inaugural months of a Deposit Return Scheme is all about gradual improvement, and that's exactly what we're achieving. Return numbers are steadily rising each week with people now returning millions of bottles and cans every day," he added.

The growth comes as complaints continue about problems with malfunctioning Reverse Vending Machines in various parts of the country, which the company says they are addressing.

Re-turn has confirmed there are 2,300 RVMs in the country and less than 1% of those machines have had to be changed.

Mr Foley also said that there are very few mechanical issues with machines now.

Scheme performing ahead of expectations

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Mr Foley acknowledged that there were initial problems but said these are dissipating.

"There were always going to be issues and there were issues. They're absolutely getting ironed out ... put this in context, 3 million containers in one day is way ahead of where we could have expected to be," he said.

Mr Foley said people who wants to raise funds through the scheme can email communities@return.ie.

"We will provide bags and bins," he explained, for people to collect unwanted containers.

Consumers can also ask retailers to cash their vouchers in for them.

"It's your right and the retailer has to provide it," he said.

Mr Foley said most restaurants do not pass on the deposit charge to customers.

However customers have the right to keep the container and claim the deposit back if they do, he said.