This project rethinks Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) through the lens of
accessibility, focusing on digital consumers who are often excluded from the
current system. Using a Research Through Design approach, it explored how
equitable participation could be supported through service design, digital tools,
and universal design principles. Surveys and interviews revealed barriers linked
to mobility, digital confidence, and geography. The resulting concept introduces
a home collection service with a digital app, alongside alternative low-tech
options. The work shows how digital-first solutions can solve some problems but
also create new ones, highlighting the need for flexible, multi-access public
services.