Time to bring back the empties?

Sir, – Cans and bottles, both glass and plastic, litter public beaches, parks and roadsides. If money were available for the return of these bottles and cans, surely this would bring a greener, cleaner Ireland, with more jobs in the recycling sector and money in our pockets?

In the Canadian province of British Columbia, millions of beverage containers have been recycled and diverted from landfill owing to the recycling regulation known as the “Bottle Bill”. All beer, wine and soft drinks sold in recyclable containers are subject to a refundable deposit. The deposit is collected at the point of sale and refunded for redeemed containers of the same type and brand.

Why not bring in a similar law for Ireland to ensure a higher rate of recycling? – Yours, etc,

FIONA McMAHON,

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Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.