More containers were recycled using the Deposit Return Scheme in the first week of March than in the whole month of February.

New figures show that over 5.6 million drinks containers have been recycled through the scheme since its launch on February 1st.

Some 3.6 million of those were recycled in the first ten days of March.

Meanwhile a ‘bumper weekend’ last weekend saw nearly one million containers recycled through the scheme.

Re-Turn said the figures show the scheme is “building momentum” with strong support for sustainable recycling in the community.

A worker demonstrates a Deposit Return Scheme Reverse Vending Machine in a Marks & Spencer supermarket in Dublin, 1-2-34. Image: Stephanie Rohan/Newstalk

Re-Turn CEO Ciaran Foley said the figures are “a clear sign that our efforts to encourage recycling and support Ireland’s environmental goals are resonating”.

“We are delighted with the number of plastic bottles and cans being returned by consumers nationwide and it really shows the support for this initiative,” he said.

“We’ve gone from collecting thousands of bottles a day to now bringing back hundreds of thousands.”

Minister Ossian Smyth and Re-turn CEO Ciaran Foley launch the Deposit Return Scheme. Image: Julien Behal Photography

The scheme has come in for criticism since its launch with one craft beer company warning that suppliers are not willing to change their can design to include the logo.

Meanwhile, there was some confusion at launch over what happens when you are charged a deposit on containers that don’t include the logo.

Re-Turn has said customers charged a deposit on containers without a logo can claim it back during the four-month trial period.

Meanwhile, Mr Foley told The Hard Shoulder the scheme is an "inconvenience" we must “get used to” in order to hit our recycling targets.

You can find everything you need to know about the scheme and how it works here.