The overall returns for May surpass the combined totals for the first three months of the programme.

The milestone of 150 million returned containers will be reached by the end of Friday, May 31st, one day before the four-month transition phase of the plan comes to an end.

149.8 million drink containers had been returned by customers as of May 30.

Compared to the 2 million containers returned for the whole month of February, the programme is currently returning an average of 2.5 million containers per day in May.

Only drink containers bearing the Re-turn brand may be lawfully offered to customers as of Saturday, June 1.

The store where the vouchers were provided is the only location where they may be used.

They may be redeemed at a checkout for cash or used for in-store purchases. Vouchers have no expiration date, although Re-turn suggests using them right away to prevent losing them.

“Our goal has been to ensure a smooth transition period as we launch the Scheme in its fullest form,” Re-turn CEO Ciaran Foley stated at the conclusion of Ireland's transition period.

“We anticipate that as we exit the transition phase, the average number of containers returned will continue to climb, as we are pleased to observe.”

“The success of Ireland's Deposit Return Scheme thus far has been largely attributed to the collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, and the general public. We are making significant progress towards a more sustainable future as a group.”