Deposit Return Schemes are planned for each region of the UK.
The DRS scheme has again been delayed until October 2027. Wales refuses to be included because they are already way ahead with their recycling systems and collection rates and want a better solution for glass that moves towards reuse.
European Commission
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations
19 December 2024
Proposal for a revision of EU legislation on Packaging and Packaging Waste
30 Nov 2022
UK DMO
UK Deposit Management Organisation Ltd
Operates the Deposit Return Scheme for single use drinks containers in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. They are just getting going.
Nice to see they admit that 6.5 billion single use drinks containers don’t get recycled each year. Drinks industry shrugs it shoulders having promoted this lifestyle for the last 50 years, “Like we give a XXXX!”
DRS News
GOV.UK Guidance from DEFRA (25 Jan 2025)
Deposit Return Scheme: drinks producer and retailer responsibilities
Understand what drinks businesses need to do under the Deposit Return Scheme from 1 October 2027.
GOV.UK Press Release (20 Jan 2023)
Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers moves a step closer
A new cash incentive system, placing deposits on drinks bottles and cans, will boost recycling from 2025.
GS1 UK – DRS Report
A critical juncture for DRS in the UK
Biffa (7 Feb 2023)
60 jobs created in £7.7m DRS project in Aberdeen
Site will handle some of the billions of drinks containers collected through the scheme.
DRS Consultation
DEFRA
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
Introducing a Deposit Return Scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environment/consultation-on-introducing-a-drs/
GOV.UK
Consultation outcome
Introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Executive summary and next steps
Updated 22 August 2019
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/
Parliament
Deposit Return Scheme – 22 May 2022
Glass bottles not to be included across England, VAT to be charged.
https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/debate/2022-05-26/commons/commons-chamber/deposit-return-scheme
Scotland
Zero Waste Scotland – Deposit Return Scheme
Details of the Scottish DRS
Planned to go live in August 2023.
Delayed by Westminster until October 2027 at the earliest, glass to be removed from the scheme.
https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/deposit-return-scheme
Legislation
The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/154/contents/
Ireland
Re-Turn – Irish Deposit Return Scheme
Launched Feb 2024 and now live.
https://re-turn.ie/
Digital Deposit Return Schemes
re-universe :: Reward4Waste
Digital DRS scheme trialled in Northern Ireland (2020/21)
https://re-universe.com/reward4waste-a-digital-deposit-return-scheme/