After Wales’s withdrawal from a UK-wide deposit return scheme, the UK Government has said it is fully committed to launching a scheme aligned across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The UK Government also confirmed it was sticking to the timeframe of launching a deposit return scheme (DRS) in October 2027.
In a written statement, Welsh Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said Wales could not proceed with a DRS aligned across the UK due to issues caused by the UK Internal Market Act 2020.
The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) said Wales is in a unique position for implementing a deposit return scheme (DRS) as it ranks second in the world for recycling.
Defra said it will continue to work in partnership with the Welsh Government as it makes decisions regarding a DRS in Wales.
As part of the announcement, Defra said the DRS will create around 4,000 new jobs across the UK, citing a report by The Countryside Charity, and will attract investment in infrastructure required to deliver the scheme.
The UK Government also committed to working closely with industry to design a scheme that works for businesses and consumers.
DRS legislation laid in Parliament
The UK Government has laid the draft legislation in Parliament for the DRS in England and Northern Ireland.
Commenting on the legislation, Jenni Hume, UK and Ireland Director at circular economy non-profit Reloop said: “We’re delighted to see the new UK Government progress with the DRS for England and for Northern Ireland which will do so much towards cleaning up our communities and creating a circular economy for packaging.
“With strong public and political support for the policy, we are pleased that this tried and tested circular economy measure is one step closer to finally being rolled out across England and Northern Ireland, and in turn the wider UK.”
