An incentive scheme to encourage a 50 per cent increase in the amount of glass recovered through bottle banks over the next six months has been announced.
Repak Ltd, an industry compliance recycling scheme representing 2,100 Irish companies, will make a contribution to charity for every additional tonne of glass deposited in "bring banks".
It has guaranteed a minimum donation of £10,000 to St Vincent de Paul, but it says the final figure could be as much as £50,000, depending on the public's response. £10 will be donated for each additional tonne of glass recovered, with an initial target of 1,000 tonnes.
Last year 31,000 tonnes of glass bottles and jars were recovered, but according to Repak there is capacity for double that amount to satisfy manufacturing needs and to help meet national recycling targets.
Mr Andrew Hetherington, chief executive of Repak, said Ireland now had the opportunity to go from being "one of the worst countries for waste management in Europe" to one of the best within the next five years.
This initiative was a way of engaging with householders in an effort to meet recycling targets, which are set to double in that period, he said.
Currently, 52 per cent of the raw material used to produce glass comes from recycled sources, resulting in energy-savings and a reduction in waste sent to landfill.
There are about 1,000 "bring banks" throughout the State accepting glass bottles and jars. A large number of these are managed by the charity Rehab, with the support of Repak.
Mr Noel Clear, national president of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, said he was delighted to be associated with the initiative, which would not only benefit the environment but help to empower disadvantaged communities.