MPs have voted to approve plans to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in England and Northern Ireland in October 2027.
The materials that will be included in the scheme will be single use plastic (PET) and metal drinks containers. Glass will not be part of the scheme.
While the regulations apply only to England and Northern Ireland, it is expected that Scotland will introduce a scheme that will be interoperable across the different UK nations.
Despite concerns raised by retailers, suppliers and other stakeholders, the Welsh Government still intends to introduce its own scheme that will include glass and focus on reuse.
In correspondence with the Welsh, Scottish and UK Governments, ACS has outlined what it believes to be the guiding principles of a successful, well-designed and effective DRS. These are:
- The scheme should be consistent across the UK
- The scheme must be at worst cost neutral for retailers
- Glass should not be included in the scheme
- Return points should be strategically mapped and not mandated on the basis of business type/size
- The scheme should prioritise colleague and customer safety
ACS chief executive James Lowman said, “We welcome the progress of the scheme in Parliament, but there is still much to do to ensure that the UK is ready by October 2027.
"Return points need to be strategically mapped, retailers need to prepare their stores, and a whole new level of recycling infrastructure needs to be set up.”
During the debate Members of Parliament highlighted the need to work closely with convenience retailers to deliver an effective DRS across the country. You can see clips from the debate here.
Speaking in Parliament, Environment Minister Mary Creagh emphasised the urgency of addressing waste.
"Keep Britain Tidy estimates that two waste streams, plastic bottles and drinks cans, make up 55 per cent of all litter across the UK. When it comes to addressing waste, this Government will not waste time," Creagh stated.
Creagh outlined how the scheme would impact communities and the environment, saying it will "end the epidemic of litter on our streets and restore pride in our communities. It will improve the countryside, preserve our wildlife and protect our beaches and marine environment."
The scheme is aiming to collect 70 per cent of containers by 2028, increasing to 90 per cent by 2030. By the third year, this must include at least 85 per cent of containers made from PET plastic and 85 per cent from other in-scope materials, such as aluminium and steel.
This comes a few days after supermarket chiefs urged the government to postpone the launch of the DRS as it claimed the proposed October 2027 roll out was “not feasible”.
In a letter to environment secretary Steve Reed, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) detailed challenges that the scheme would inflict on retailers, such as significant costs.
It is understood that the BRC also warned the DRS risks being ineffective following the news that Wales is to move forward with its own deposit return scheme in a bid to encourage recycling, as it remains committed to including glass bottles.
The draft Deposit Return Scheme regulations are available to view in full here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2024/9780348266221/pdfs/ukdsi_9780348266221_en.pdf
