COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC REALM AND CLIMATE CHANGE SPC

Tuesday, February 05, 2019

HEADED ITEM NO.

 

Recycling Strategy – Update on potential pilot Deposit Return Scheme

REPORT:

Following on from a motion (54376) from the July 2017 council meeting, “that the Council adapts Container-deposit pilot scheme”, an exploratory meeting was held in Q4 2018 in relation to a pilot DRS scheme in South Dublin County. 

The meeting explored the possibility of a 12 month pilot with 8 -10 machines across the County in varying location, retailers, universities, schools, hospitals etc. The costs of such a pilot involved between €110,000 and €140,000 to purchase the machines in year one with year two costs covering installation and maintenance fees of between €14,000 and €20,000. On top of this an additional budget would be required to cover the deposit return which ranges between 10c and 20c. 

As this cost had not been budgeted for in 2019, an alternative option to the above was sought. This resulted in engagement with REPAK to become part of their Green team recycling machine trial.

The outcomes of initial discussions regarding the pilot with Repak are as follows:

• A 12 month trial is envisaged
•  Machine placement in 4 locations in South Dublin County
•  Repak will supply the machines and pay a subsidy to the recovery operator/waste contractor based on the quantities received
•  The institution/premises is responsible for the promotion, insurance, upkeep and powering of the machines. They are also responsible for the designated recycling partner to ensure the machine is emptied
•  The locations provides a free space
•  The supplier of the machine will service and maintenance the machine from the date of installation and provide training to the staff on site to ensure they understand how the machine works
•  Reward: Individual places a clean recycle material into the machine. The individual takes a photo of themselves doing this with the hashtag #repakteamgreen and uploads this to social media That month the individual is in with a chance of winning a voucher. Value tbc.
•  Repak to bring the proposal to the board on 22/2/2019
•  Potential locations:
  • Tallaght IT  - confirmed
  • The Square - TBC
  • Liffey Valley Shopping Centre - TBC 
  • Tallaght Hospital - TBC 
•  Three month lead time on purchase of machines means that pilot is expected to commence in Q2/Q3 2019