Nearly a quarter of all plastic bottles carrying a deposit were not returned last year, leaving consumers €139 million out of pocket, figures from deposit scheme operator Verpact show.

In 2024, 77% of bottles with a 15 or 25 cent deposit were handed in for recycling, up from 74% a year earlier. Deposits were introduced four years ago to boost plastic recycling and reduce litter.

The government has set a 90% target for plastic bottle recycling and has urged the agency to take stronger measures to meet it.

One option, according to environment ministry inspectors, is to raise the deposit level per bottle, with research showing higher rates lead to higher returns.

Verpact, however, backs making bottle returns compulsory for retailers that sell above a certain volume, forcing more shops to install deposit machines. It also wants to include dairy and fruit juice bottles in the recycling scheme. They currently account for some 16% of all plastic bottles sold.

Verpact uses the unclaimed cash to finance improvements in the recycling system and boost public awareness.