Deposit Return Scheme
The DRS is a fundamental part of UK's efforts to move to tackle climate change and create a circular economy.
What is a Deposit Return Scheme?
Deposit return schemes are used across the world as a way of encouraging more people to recycle drinks containers, such as bottles and cans. They work by charging anyone who buys a drink a small deposit for the bottle or can that it comes in. Consumers can then get this money back when they return the bottle or can to a collection point to be recycled. Anyone who retails the materials confirmed in the scheme may have to act as a return point.
What does this mean for my business or organisation?
If your business or organisation sells a material within scope, you may need to operate as a standpoint; this means you may need to manage the collection and return of eligible containers, comply with new regulations, and potentially adjust operations to handle deposits and recycling logistics. The materials within scope for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been confirmed as PET bottles, steel and aluminium cans, and glass drinks bottles from October 2027. Wales are yet to define their scheme, however they have confirmed that they would like PET, steel and aluminium cans, and glass in scope.
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Online Retailer
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Hospitality Retailer
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Small Retailer
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Local AuthorityFor local authorities, the volume of drink containers will potentially impact on the volume of recycling collected at the kerbside. However, DRS cans and plastic bottles (including glass in Scotland and Wales only) that end up in household waste can be redeemed by the local authority.
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