Get ready for the Deposit Return Scheme
Information and support for businesses producing, supplying and selling drinks containers for the scheme launching on 1 October 2027.
A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use plastic and metal drinks containers will launch on 1 October 2027 in Northern Ireland and England. Similar schemes will be launching in Scotland and Wales on the same date.
DRS schemes are a way of increasing the amount of plastic, aluminium and steel drinks containers that are collected for recycling. By increasing the amount of drinks containers collected, more material is processed for recycling, and less litter is found on streets and in the waterways, beaches and natural environment.
Each time a consumer buys a drink included in the scheme, a deposit of 20p is added to the purchase price. The consumer gets the deposit back when they return the empty container. The drinks containers are collected to go straight back into the recycling process.
The majority of PET, aluminium and steel drinks containers in the United Kingdom will be included in the DRS. Glass is not included, except in Wales from October 2031. The two main criteria for drinks containers to be included in the DRS are:
- made wholly or mainly from PET plastic, aluminium or steel
- between 150ml and 3 litres in volume
The scheme will have specific requirements for different business types:
- producers, such as including a compliant barcode and DRS logo on containers
- grocery retailers, such as registering and operating a return point (unless exempt)
- hospitality, such as applying the deposit for drinks sold for off-site consumption (optional for on-site consumption)
Exchange for Change is the scheme operator for all of the DRS schemes across the UK, and they provide further support for affected businesses:
- The latest updates on the roll-out of the DRS are available through their news feed, signing up to an email newsletter, or registering for webinars.
- Practical tools and official assets, such as logos and barcode specifications, are available for download.
- Grants of up to £6,000 will be made available (per site) to qualifying small, independent retailers to meet the cost of installing Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) - details will be announced in Q3 2026.
How to register for the scheme
Phase 1 registration is now open for producers and return point operators (most supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores or newsagents), to help those businesses prepare for launch - register now.
Phase 2 registration will open in January 2027, when businesses will be asked to provide further information around their role in the scheme.
First published 1 October 2026