Dublin City Council is modifying a number of bins in the city centre to try to prevent scavenging for plastic bottles and cans.
Surrounds which allow people to easily retrieve discarded drink containers are being added as part of a pilot programme.
The surrounds hold about a dozen cans and bottles at the front of the bin and will be attached to 80 of the 600 bins in Dublin city centre.
Since the Deposit Return Scheme began in February, businesses in the capital have reported increased litter levels as people scavenge in public bins and tear open plastic refuse sacks to retrieve discarded drinks containers, which are worth between 15 and 25 cent each when returned to a retailer.
Dublin City Council has launched a pilot programme called Give Take Return to try to put an end to the practice, which is causing littered streets and posing a safety risk.
The surrounds being placed on the bins will allow people to dispose of drinks containers and for those who want to retrieve them, to do so safely.
It is inspired by similar initiatives in the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark and is supported by operators of the Deposit Return Scheme, Re-turn.
Re-turn said that 50% fewer bottles and cans are in bins since the launch of the scheme and hopes this programme will help that figure grow.
Re-Turn CEO Ciaran Foley said: “Successfully capturing on-the-go drink containers and keeping them separate from general waste is critical to the progress of deposit return in Ireland.
“We want consumers to think before they bin these valuable resources. By leaving them for others, you’re ensuring they are returned, allowing someone else to benefit from the deposit refund.
“We’re excited to partner with Dublin City Council on this pilot project and look forward to its successful expansion nationwide.”
Martin Harte, CEO of the Temple Bar company, said that ripped bins and rubbish strew across the street had become a major blight on the city since the introduction of the Re-Turn scheme
He said the situation had become disgusting and that the introduction of this initiative was very welcome
“We see people every day of the week going around with keys opening these bins, going around in groups emptying them, as well of the ones smashing up bags and opening them up or crawling into bins and pulling them out. It’s a side effect of positive initiative, but it was a negative impact on the city,” he said.
Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan said: “We know that members of the public have been searching through public bins for bottles and cans to return.
“This is generating more litter on the street and it’s also an unsafe practice for the people involved. I’m confident this new scheme will go a long way towards solving those issues.”
Minister of State and Green Party TD Ossian Smyth has said the modified bins are “more hygienic”.
He said there is “phenomenon” of people reaching into bins to get bottles and this will curb such behaviour.
He said it is “a very simple innovation, it’s a practical thing, it’s good for people’s dignity and it’s also going to help to increase recycling rates”.
My Smyth said the next stage of the programme will involve rolling the bins out to “the rest of the city” and he expects Galway will be the next place to roll out the programme.
The bin surrounds have been manufactured by Wexford company, Hartecast.
Some 500 million drinks containers were returned between February and September.
Research from Irish Business Against Litter has found there are 30% fewer cans and 20% fewer bottles littering the streets of Ireland since the scheme began.
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