Deposit Return Schemes are planned for each region of the UK.
The DRS scheme is scheduled to start in October 2027.
Global
Global Deposit and Return Platform
A worldwide push to implement DRS.
https://globaldrsplatform.net/
Reloop Global Deposit Dashboard
Statistics for existing deposit return systems.
https://www.reloopplatform.org/global-deposit-dashboard/
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
https://exchangeforchange.co.uk/
Operates the Deposit Return Scheme for single use drinks containers in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales!
Scotland
The Scottish policy:
Managing Waste : Deposit return scheme
Wales
The Welsh Policy and Strategy:
Deposit return scheme for drinks containers
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. [When the scheme was cancelled Biffa tried to sue the Scottish Government for £50 million but their case was rejected by the court.]
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/
