Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme converts every empty can into 15–25 cents back in your pocket—yet Irish consumers failed to redeem €66.7 million in deposits during 2024. Here is how the maths works out, where to return your containers, and why crushing cans before recycling will cost you the deposit.

4 related posts

Small cans (≤500ml): 15c deposit · Large cans (>500ml): 25c deposit · Launch date: 1 February 2024 · 2024 containers returned: 877.85 million · Unredeemed deposits: €66.7 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact number of cans needed to reach $100 depends on local trade prices and retailer policies
  • Availability of bulk deposit return machines outside major urban centres
  • Whether smaller independent shops will install reverse vending machines or continue manual returns
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The table below summarises the key figures from Ireland’s first full year of the Deposit Return Scheme, drawing on official scheme data and Government of Ireland reporting.

Key facts about Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme
Detail Value
Standard deposit (small cans) 15c
Standard deposit (large cans) 25c
Scrap price per kg (aluminium) £0.80
Scheme operator Re-Turn.ie
Eligible containers Plastic bottles and aluminium cans (150ml–3L)
2024 containers returned 877.85 million
Unredeemed deposits (2024) €66.7 million
Return rate achieved 66% average (75% August 2024 peak)

How much do you get for cans in Ireland?

Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme works on a two-tier deposit structure that reflects the size of the container and the value of the material inside. A standard 330ml cola can earns you 15 cents back at any participating retailer, while larger energy drink or beer cans over 500ml return 25 cents each.

Deposit values by size

The scheme covers drinks containers from 150ml up to 3 litres, with deposits calculated as follows:

  • 150ml to 500ml: 15 cent deposit
  • Over 500ml to 3 litres: 25 cent deposit

There is no VAT charged on the deposit amount itself, meaning the full deposit value goes directly back to the consumer upon return. For a slab of 24 standard 500ml beer cans, the deposit adds €3.60 to the purchase price—though a 1.5 litre bottle of Coca-Cola increased from €3.25 to €3.50 at launch.

The upshot

Every standard-sized can you return earns you 15 cents. A 24-pack returned in full gives you €3.60 back—real money for a habit you were doing anyway.

Return process at shops

To get your deposit back, cans must be empty and undamaged, and they must carry the Re-Turn logo somewhere on the packaging. Larger retailers operate reverse vending machines where you feed in cans and receive a voucher or on-the-spot refund. Nearly 200 smaller retailers handle returns manually at the counter, meaning you hand over your containers and receive your deposit directly.

The implication: if you’re buying drinks regularly, the deposits add up. A household that goes through two 24-can slabs per week is entitled to €7.20 weekly in refunds—over €374 per year.

How many aluminum cans does it take to make $100?

This is where the maths gets interesting, because the answer depends entirely on which route you’re using to “cash” those cans.

Deposit scheme math

Through Ireland’s official Deposit Return Scheme, each standard can (under 500ml) returns 15 cents. To reach $100, you’d need to return approximately 667 standard-sized cans. For larger cans at 25 cents each, that number drops to 400 cans.

Working backwards from a typical slab of 24 cans: returning one full slab of 500ml cans earns you €3.60. Reaching $100 at this rate requires recycling roughly 28 slabs of standard cans—or about one slab every 13 days.

Why this matters

Irish consumers failed to redeem €66.7 million in deposits during 2024 alone. That figure represents an enormous amount of money being left on the table by households who haven’t yet integrated returns into their routine.

Scrap value alternative

If you’re collecting large volumes of cans outside the formal deposit scheme, scrap yards offer a weight-based alternative. Aluminium trades at roughly £0.80 per kilogram on the scrap market. Average aluminium cans weigh between 12–18 grams depending on size and brand.

At 15 grams per can, you’d need approximately 67 kilograms of cans to reach $100 equivalent through scrap value—roughly 4,444 individual cans. The scrap route makes sense mainly for collectors with access to industrial quantities, not typical household consumers.

What this means: for most Irish consumers, the official deposit scheme is far more efficient than chasing scrap prices. The 15c–25c per can return is guaranteed and doesn’t require weighing, storing, or transporting bulk quantities to a scrap yard.

Should I crush cans before recycling?

A persistent myth circulates that crushing cans before recycling is helpful—it is not, at least not for the deposit scheme.

Reasons not to crush

The Deposit Return Scheme requires that containers be returned empty and undamaged. A crushed can may be rejected by a reverse vending machine because the optical sensors cannot properly read its shape and barcode. Manual returns at smaller retailers may also be refused if the Re-Turn logo on a crumpled can is illegible.

The catch

Crushing your cans before heading to a return point could cost you the deposit entirely. The machines that read and process your returns need to identify the container type and confirm it’s eligible—the scanning fails on badly deformed cans.

Impact on sorting

From an operational standpoint, Re-Turn’s reverse vending machines are designed to handle unprocessed containers efficiently. Crushing cans may marginally save space in your bin, but it does not improve the scheme’s sorting capability. The Sensoneo cloud-based tracking system used by Re-Turn identifies materials and container types before the sorting stage, meaning intact cans are preferable throughout the logistics chain.

The trade-off: if you’re returning cans because you’re environmentally motivated, keep them intact to ensure the deposit goes through and the material is properly recycled. If space is genuinely tight and you have no intention of claiming deposits, crushing may be acceptable—but you lose the financial return.

How many aluminum cans is 1 kg?

The weight of an aluminium can varies by size, brand, and whether it’s a standard beverage can or a larger multi-serve container.

Average can weights

Based on industry data, typical aluminium beverage cans fall into this range:

  • 330ml standard can: approximately 15–17 grams
  • 500ml larger can: approximately 22–28 grams
  • Multi-serve 1 litre+ cans: 40+ grams depending on manufacturer

For a 330ml can at roughly 15 grams, you would need approximately 67 cans to make 1 kilogram. At 500ml at 25 grams, the figure drops to around 40 cans per kilogram.

What to watch

The weight varies by brand and material composition. A heavier can contains more aluminium per unit but is also thicker-walled and more durable—both factors affect the material’s value when it reaches the recycling facility.

Collector tips

For collectors interested in scrap value, weighing is essential. Kitchen scales accurate to 10 grams are sufficient for household-level collection. Keep cans separated by size if you’re targeting maximum trade value, as larger cans contain proportionally more aluminium per unit and may attract better per-kilogram rates.

The pattern: if you’re collecting cans specifically for scrap, the time investment in sorting and weighing rarely pays off at current prices unless you have several hundred cans accumulated. The official deposit scheme remains the more practical route for typical households.

How much is 1 kg of aluminum worth?

Aluminium scrap prices fluctuate with global commodity markets, but recent trade rates place scrap aluminium at approximately £0.80 per kilogram at collector level.

Current scrap prices

The price of aluminium on the commodity markets has experienced significant volatility over the past several years, driven by energy costs, supply chain disruptions, and demand from packaging and automotive sectors. At the collector level, however, the price drops substantially due to processing and handling markups. If you’re wondering about the best way to maintain your appliances, this guide on how to clean your air fryer at $clean your air fryer might be helpful.

Working from the £0.80/kg trade price: a kilogram of standard aluminium beverage cans (roughly 67 × 330ml cans) would earn you 80 pence at scrap rate. The same kilogram through the Irish deposit scheme, at 15 cents per can × 67 cans, returns €10.05—the deposit scheme is approximately 12.5 times more valuable per kilogram than scrap value.

The paradox

Despite Ireland’s unclaimed €66.7 million in deposits during 2024, the official scheme delivers far better financial returns than the scrap aluminium market. The gap is so wide that most consumers should treat deposit returns as their primary “cash for cans” strategy, not scrap collection.

Trade vs retail

The trade price of £0.80/kg represents what scrap dealers receive when they sell processed aluminium to smelters. Retail or collector prices—what you’d get handing over cans at a scrap yard—are typically lower, sometimes significantly so. Always confirm the exact rate with a local dealer before making a trip, and factor in travel costs for bulk quantities.

For Irish consumers, the practical implication is straightforward: the Deposit Return Scheme is a better financial deal than scrap aluminium collection for all but the most dedicated scrap collectors with access to industrial-scale quantities.

Upsides

  • 15c–25c guaranteed return per can at any participating retailer
  • No VAT charged on deposits, so full value is refunded
  • Over 2,000 return points operational as of February 2024 launch
  • Return rate of 75% in August 2024 demonstrates scheme functionality
  • Supports Ireland’s path to 90% EU collection target by 2029

Downsides

  • Cannot crush cans—must be empty and undamaged for deposit
  • Scheme covers only cans with Re-Turn logo since June 2024
  • Glass drink containers excluded from scheme
  • Dairy containers not eligible
  • Smaller retailers limited to manual over-the-counter returns

How to return your cans

Returning your empty cans is straightforward once you understand the steps involved.

Step-by-step process

  1. Check the logo: Ensure your can carries the Re-Turn logo. From 1 June 2024, all eligible containers on Irish shelves must display this mark.
  2. Empty and inspect: Pour out or drink the contents. Check that the can is undamaged—no dents that obscure the logo, no punctures or tears.
  3. Choose your return point: Use a reverse vending machine at a major retailer (most supermarket chains participate), or visit a smaller shop offering manual counter returns. Re-Turn’s website provides a return point locator for your area.
  4. Feed or hand over: At a vending machine, insert cans one at a time or as permitted by the machine model. At a manual return point, present your cans to the retailer and request your deposit.
  5. Collect your refund: Receive a voucher (machine return) or cash (manual return) equivalent to 15c or 25c per can depending on size.
Bottom line: Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme converts every empty can into 15–25 cents. Leaving them in the bin costs Irish consumers €66.7 million per year. Consumers who return their empty containers regularly recover far more value than those relying on scrap yards.

Related reading: Reserve Bank of Australia · 1 Billion Won to AUD

Additional sources

re-turn.ie, tomra.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, tomra.com, revenue.ie

Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme mirrors US cash-for-cans programs, where refunds vary by state alongside handy redemption locations.

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Frequently asked questions

Where are cash for cans locations in Ireland?

Cash for cans return points include all major supermarket chains, many convenience stores, and participating newsagents. Re-Turn’s official website (re-turn.ie) offers a postcode-based locator to find your nearest return point. As of the February 2024 launch, more than 2,000 return points were operational, with the network continuing to expand.

What is the Deposit Return Scheme Ireland?

Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme is a government-mandated programme requiring consumers to pay a small deposit on eligible drinks containers (plastic bottles and aluminium cans between 150ml and 3 litres). The deposit is fully refunded when the empty container is returned to any participating retailer. Re-Turn CLG operates the scheme under regulation from the Department of the Environment.

Can I return damaged cans for deposit?

No. The scheme requires that containers be empty and undamaged. Crushed, dented, or torn cans may be rejected by reverse vending machines and will not be accepted at manual return points because the Re-Turn logo must be legible and the container must be identifiable.

How do bulk deposit return machines work?

Bulk return machines (reverse vending machines) accept multiple cans in sequence, scanning each one to verify it carries the Re-Turn logo and is an eligible container type. Once the return is confirmed, the machine issues a voucher for the total deposit amount. The voucher is redeemable at the retailer’s checkout or customer service desk.

Is cash for cans available outside Ireland?

Deposit return schemes operate in many countries worldwide, though the deposit amounts, eligible container types, and scheme mechanics vary significantly. Countries including Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Australia all have established deposit return programmes. Ireland’s scheme is specifically the Re-Turn programme launched in February 2024.

What shops accept Re-Turn returns?

All retailers selling eligible drinks containers were legally required to register with Re-Turn by December 2023. This includes major supermarket chains (Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Supervalu, Lidl, Aldi, Boots, and others) as well as thousands of smaller independent retailers. Larger stores typically have reverse vending machines; smaller shops handle returns manually at the counter.

How to find deposit return scheme locations near me?

Visit re-turn.ie and use the return point finder, entering your Eircode or town name. The locator shows both machine-based return points and manual return retailers in your area. Many smartphone mapping apps also flag Re-Turn points once the scheme is active in your location.

The economics of Ireland’s unclaimed deposits

The €66.7 million in unredeemed deposits from 2024 represents more than just loose change left on the table—it illuminates a fundamental feature of how deposit return schemes generate funding for their own expansion.

“Irish consumers failed to redeem €66.7 million in deposits in 2024.”

— RTE news reporting on Re-Turn’s 2024 financial results

Re-Turn recorded a pre-tax surplus of €51.3 million for 2024, with the bulk of this funded by unclaimed deposits. The scheme operator collected €30.5 million in producer fees and €17.2 million from material sales, while spending €46.5 million on collection and recycling costs and €15.7 million on administration.

The implication: every household that doesn’t return its empty cans is effectively subsidising the scheme’s operational costs. While this isn’t inherently problematic—unclaimed deposits are a standard feature of deposit schemes worldwide—it does mean that actively participating consumers are subsidising the programme less than they might assume.

Re-Turn closed 2024 with a cash balance of €89.8 million, projected to reduce to approximately €32 million in 2025 after scheduled draw-downs. The scheme appears financially healthy and is on track to meet EU recycling targets of 77% by the end of 2025 and 90% by 2029.

“Every 1% increase in return rate equates to approximately 19 million containers.”

— RTE news reporting on Re-Turn’s operational data

For Irish consumers, the financial case for participation is clear: the deposit scheme returns 15–25 cents per can, versus roughly 1.2 cents per can at scrap rate. Returning cans is not just environmentally responsible—it’s the smarter financial move. The €66.7 million left unclaimed in 2024 is money that could have been in consumers’ pockets.

The trade-off: deposit returns require intact cans with legible logos, which means not crushing your recyclables before returning them. For households generating large volumes of packaging waste, the small effort of intact storage is worth the financial return—roughly €10 per kilogram through the deposit scheme versus 80 pence through scrap.

For Irish consumers, the decision is straightforward: start returning your cans. Every empty can returned is money back in your pocket, and the scheme’s expanding network of return points makes it easier than ever to participate.