The UK Government, led by Robbie Moore, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Water and Rural Growth, has today (25 April) announced a revised timeline for the launch of a nationwide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) by October 2027.
This scheme, which is being positioned as a pivotal move in promoting recycling and reducing litter, involves placing a redeemable deposit on single-use drinks containers, refundable upon their return.
Originally targeted for a 2025 launch, the revised 2027 deadline comes after extensive consultations by Defra and collaborative efforts with the Northern Ireland Executive, Welsh Government, and the Scottish Government.
The collaborative framework aims for interoperability across the UK to ensure seamless operation and support from various sectors.
Moore highlighted what Defra terms “the global success” of DRS initiatives, noting that nearly 60 schemes would be operational worldwide by 2024. The UK’s scheme aims to enhance recycling rates, lessen environmental litter, and transition towards a circular economy.
The undersecretary stressed the complexities and economic burdens that including glass could impose on retailers and consumers, particularly under current economic strains
Key features of the UK’s proposed DRS include joint registration, reciprocal returns, and specific stipulations on the minimum size of containers, among others. However, the inclusion of glass containers remains a contentious issue, with the Welsh Government planning to include glass in their DRS, contrary to other regions.
The undersecretary stressed the complexities and economic burdens that including glass could impose on retailers and consumers, particularly under current economic strains. In response, the UK Government has expressed its commitment to protecting the internal market and ensuring unimpeded trade across the UK.
The DRS also involves a significant role for a newly proposed Deposit Management Organisation, which will Defra says will be critical in setting deposit levels and ensuring efficient scheme operations.
As the UK prepares for the DRS rollout, ongoing discussions and adjustments aim to refine the scheme further, ensuring it meets the economic and environmental needs of the nation.
“Moved with the times”
Carol Robert, Chief Operating Officer, Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain and Ireland, said: “The rest of Europe has moved with the times to create a circular economy for drinks containers, so it’s only right that the stopwatch starts again today in the UK’s race to build an effective Deposit Return Scheme.
“As well as long term benefits such as reduced litter and increased recycling rates, a DRS is also a critical step for businesses, and the UK, to achieve net zero.
“SBF GB&I has been poised on the starting line and we’re ready to give our full backing to make DRS a reality and a contributor to our goal of achieving 100% sustainable packaging by 2030.”
This means that drinks containers will be able to be recycled and used again more efficiently and easily, which is good news for the environment, companies and consumers.
Karen Betts, CEO, Food and Drink Federation said: “We welcome today’s confirmation that the UK will be putting a Deposit Return Scheme in place as part of plans for a circular economy. This means that drinks containers will be able to be recycled and used again more efficiently and easily, which is good news for the environment, companies and consumers.”
Reacting to the news, Jane Martin, CEO of City to Sea, said: “An estimated 700,000 plastic bottles are littered in the UK every day, polluting our waterways, releasing harmful microplastics and disrupting vital ecosystems.
“The delay to the DRS is yet another example of persistent, frustrating delays by the government at a moment when action is crucial. The irony is not lost that this announcement comes amid negotiations for a UN Global Plastics Treaty to end plastic pollution.
“As a founding member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, the UK supports a treaty that binds countries to a circular approach to plastics and ensures urgent action and effective interventions. However, the government continues to delay a policy that has a proven significant impact.”
“Further erode confidence”
Director of Innovation and Technical Services at CIWM said It’s critical that the UK governments now work closely together to “ensure the scheme is easy to use and understand, operating under the same rules and with the same labels across the four nations.”
He said: “A consistent, UK-wide approach is the best way to ensure value for money and to drive up the UK’s disappointing recycling rates.”
This is the latest in a raft of policy delays from Government which serve to further erode confidence within the sector
“CIWM is not surprised by Defra’s latest announcement of a further delay in DRS implementation. CIWM’s stance on DRS has always been that its implementation should follow the introduction of the Simpler Recycling and EPR initiatives to ensure that it is still required, and if so that it is correctly structured. This would also allow progression on digital technologies that might enable a DRS scheme based on existing kerbside collections, instead of a costly network of reverse vending machines.
“Unfortunately, however, this is the latest in a raft of policy delays from Government which serve to further erode confidence within the sector and present further challenges to securing much needed investment. This should be a time of huge change and improvement and CIWM calls on Government for major shift change in policy implementation in order to deliver the 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy.
“If we do not get on and implement outstanding policies, we are in danger of drifting aimlessly and we will have wasted the huge potential that the Resources and Waste Strategy promised when it was published.”
Robbie Moore statement in full.
For a full timeline of implementation visit here.
