Concern raised over 'confusing, costly and disruptive' DRS Scheme in Wales

Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has raised serious concerns in response to the Welsh Government’s decision to create its own Deposit Return Scheme specifically for Wales, instead of delivering a UK wide scheme.

In a written statement published today (18), Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said, “We have been working to initiate a joint process to appoint the Deposit Management Organisation for our respective schemes later this month.

"However, in the time available it has not been possible to address the issues to the operation of devolution caused by the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, inherited by the UK Government from the previous administration. This unfortunately means that we are not able to proceed with the joint process or notify the WTO in relation to the scheme at this point.”

“As a Government, we remain committed to bringing forward a DRS which will deliver for Wales by supporting our ongoing transition to a circular economy. We will therefore continue our active engagement to develop a scheme that supports the transition to reuse for all drinks containers including those made from glass.”

The UK Government had previously committed to delivering a deposit return scheme for the whole of the UK in October 2027. Today’s announcement from the Welsh Government means that there will be two separate schemes set up in the UK, working on different timelines and management systems. Under the Welsh scheme, there will be a greater focus on the reuse of materials.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said, “We are extremely concerned that the Welsh Government is doubling down on insisting on a different approach to a DRS (deposit return scheme) than the rest of the UK. A unified approach across the UK is best for consumers, retailers and producers, and has the best chance of achieving meaningful change in recycling rates. The Welsh Government’s separate approach will be confusing for everyone involved and disruptive to the delivery of DRS across the rest of UK.”

The Welsh Government have not set out its intended timescales for the introduction of its own Deposit Return Scheme, meaning that it is possible that the rest of the UK will have a scheme in place before Wales.

The full written statement is available here: https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-development-deposit-return-scheme-wales