Re-turn names Foley as CEO to lead new Deposit Return Scheme
Ciaran Foley has been named as the chief executive of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, which is operated by not-for-profit organisation Re-turn.
Ireland’s new Deposit Return Scheme starts on 1 February 2024. Consumers will give a fully refundable deposit when purchasing bottles and cans with the Re-turn logo ranging from 15 cents to 25 cents, depending on the size of the bottle.
They will receive it back when they return the bottle or can to a designated return point.
Return points, either manual or reverse vending machines, will be located in the majority of retailers where bottles and cans are purchased.
Re-turn is the not-for-profit organisation appointed by the Government as the system administrator for the deposit return scheme.
It says it is dedicated to supporting and assisting retailers, producers, and consumers in managing the transition to a Deposit Return Scheme smoothly and effectively.
Mr Foley will lead the implementation and integration of the Deposit Return Scheme in Ireland.
He will be responsible for the strategic organisation development of the scheme and will oversee the legal obligations of members, business expansion, cost control, and effective government and industry stakeholder communication.
He has spent over 30 years in senior leadership roles, including Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain Ireland, Supply Chain Director of Tesco Ireland while he is also a non-executive director at FoodCloud Ireland.
Ciaran Foley said that by introducing a deposit return scheme, Ireland is joining a global success story which is thriving in more than 40 regions worldwide, including 13 countries in Europe.
“A Deposit Return Scheme is a circular economy game-changer for Ireland, shifting from ‘take, make, dispose’ to returning valuable materials and maximising their use – creating a circular system for high-value plastics and cans,” Mr Foley said.
“The introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme is hugely beneficial to our environmental goals and is a critical element of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy to achieve EU targets. The scheme is a practical environmental initiative that will increase recycling rates, reduce litter, lower emissions, prevent waste, and relieve pressure on our natural resources,” he added.
