A Clare Newsagent claims the new Deposit Return Scheme is failing the protect the best interests of small businesses.
The new consumer led recycling initiative has been officially launched today, with over 60 participating outlets in this county alone.
At present over 60% of discarded plastic bottles and cans in Ireland are collected through green bins, while the remaining 30% or roughly 500million containers each year are incinerated or left to litter in streets, waterways and hedges.
The Deposit Return Scheme will aim to change all of this by providing a financial incentive for consumers who dispose of their articles in the correct manner.
For plastic bottles and cans up to 500ml in size, an extra charge of 15c will apply and for cans and bottles up to 3 litres in size, a charge of 25c will apply.
Consumers than can then recoup their deposits by submitting their empty containers marked with a Re-Turn logo to one of 1,800 reverse vending machines nationwide.
Gerard Haugh, Owner of The Next Door Off Licence in Ennis, Kilkee and Kilrush believes the scheme will be a major success for both households and businesses.
A Clare Newsagent on the other hand claims the new initiative is unfairly geared towards larger retailers.
The majority of small shops are exempt from installing a return machine on their premises due to capacity constraints, but as of June 1st all stores regardless of size will only be allowed to sell cans and bottles with the Re-Turn logo.
However, when consumers return their containers to reverse vending machines, they will only be able to use their deposit vouchers on that premises and not in the original store where the purchase was made.
Owner of Abbey Newsagents in Ennis, Gerry Connellan believes the return points should be located on neutral council owned sites to level the playing field.
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