Ciaran Foley, CEO of Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) operator Re-Turn Ireland, has been appointed to the board of the European Deposit Return System Association (EDRSA).

The recently formed association comprises of 17 founding members as well as system operators, policymakers, recyclers, and technology providers from across the industry.

The founding members of EDRSA are the current deposit return systems in Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden. 

The association is expected to focus on priorities such as standardisation, technology integration, consumer engagement, and policy advocacy.

At its inaugural meeting earlier this month, the general assembly of EDRSA established the association's primary bodies and upcoming activities.

Foley, Susanne Kürschner (DRS Germany), Kjell Olav Maldum (DRS Norway), Miks Sturitis (DRS Latvia) and Gemma Webb (DRS Romania) were elected to the association boars.

Marian Ac (DRS Slovakia) was elected the president of the association, while Monika Fiala (DRS Austria) was elected its treasurer. 

“Our Association enters the European and global deposit return scene at a time when new EU regulations are being gradually implemented, and new national deposit return systems are being created," Ac said at the time.

"We want to serve as a platform in implementation of these regulations and in sharing information and knowledge about deposit return systems.

"From a wider perspective, we also have an ambition to contribute to shaping the future of circular economy and protecting the environment. And we extend our hand to all those having similar goals.”

EDRSA has seven working groups focused on communication, EU legislation, finance, fraud, operations and logistics, retail technology, technology and change.

It will also seek to disseminate DRS-related knowledge within member states, across Europe, and globally, while actively engaging in public debates on DRS and aligning with other influential organisations such as major producer groups or trade associations.  

The association will strive to influence and monitor legislation and policy regarding DRS and packaging in Europe.

Membership in the Association is available to DRS administrators from the European Union, EEA, and EFTA, while associated membership is open to DRS administrators from around the world. 

Photo: Ciaran Foley. (Pic: Supplied)