PACKAGING, DISPOSABLES & RECYCLING


Deposit of 20p set for UK Deposit Return Scheme launch in 2027


T


asked with running the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in England, Scotland and


Northern Ireland, Exchange for Change has determined that applying a uniform 20p deposit across all eligible containers is the most effective and reliable approach for launching the scheme on 1 October 2027. This was revealed in a recent industry


update from the Vending & Automated Retail Association (AVA).


This single-rate deposit was chosen following strong backing from industry stakeholders during the second consultation stage, as well as for its ease of implementation and suitability for the UK market, where around 85% of qualifying containers are 500ml or smaller. The decision on the deposit value is


largely influenced by the need to achieve and maintain a 90% return rate by the third year of operation, which remains the scheme’s central long-term goal. A 20p deposit is viewed as offering greater confidence in reaching and sustaining this target compared with lower deposit levels. Additionally, Exchange for Change


is currently developing the operational structure of the scheme, including the transition time line for managing old and new stock, which is expected to be launched by the end of Q2 this year. You can find out more from the Exchange for Change website at


https://exchangeforchange.co.uk/


What is the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)? According to Exchange for Change, every year in the UK, around 6.5 billion single use plastic drinks bottles or cans end up as waste, rather than being recycled. More than 40% are littered on our high streets or across our beaches and countryside. The Deposit Return Scheme aims to tackle that by introducing a redeemable deposit on these single use drinks containers, which can then be claimed back when they are taken to be recycled.


Similar schemes are already in place in


more than 50 countries across the world, and these countries have much higher recycling rates as a result. DRS is an opportunity to deliver a


transformational step forward in the circular economy across the UK, where materials are valued and recycled rather than discarded. Studies have shown that an effective DRS can prevent waste, increase recycling rates, improve the quality of material being recycled and stop millions of tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere.


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0121 758 9505 enquiry@fortunepackaging.co.uk www.fortunepackaging.co.uk


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