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The UK Government has officially set October 2027 as the launch date for its long-delayed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), aimed at boosting recycling rates by incentivising consumers to return empty drink containers. Under the initiative, consumers will pay a small deposit on single-use plastic and metal drink containers ranging from 150ml to three litres, reclaimable upon return to designated collection points.
While hailed as a critical step forward in tackling waste, the scheme has drawn criticism for omitting glass bottles—an exclusion that environmental advocates argue weakens the program's impact. The decision follows a similar stance taken by the previous Conservative government and diverges from Wales and Scotland’s DRS plans, both of which include glass.
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “This Government will clean up Britain and end the throwaway society.
“This is a vital step as we stop the avalanche of rubbish that is filling up our streets, rivers and oceans and protect our treasured wildlife. Turning trash into cash also delivers on our Plan for Change by kickstarting clean growth, ensuring economic stability, more resilient supply chains, and new green jobs.”
Initially proposed in the UK’s 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy, the DRS has seen multiple delays. The scheme was initially slated for a 2025 rollout, but in April 2024, the government confirmed its postponement to 2027. The delay aligns with Scotland’s revised DRS timeline, which was expected to launch in March 2024 but has now been pushed to October 2025 at the earliest.
Deposit return schemes have been highly effective globally, with over 50 countries implementing similar models. According to the global non-profit Reloop, European nations with DRS programs boast an average return rate of 90%, with Germany leading at 98%.
The government will establish a Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) to oversee the implementation in April 2024. This not-for-profit, industry-led body will administer the scheme, ensuring smooth operations and regulatory compliance. The broader packaging and collection reform measures will create 21,000 new jobs and drive over £10 billion in investment throughout the next decade.
The omission of glass from the England and Northern Ireland schemes has sparked frustration among environmental groups, who argue that excluding such a widely used material undermines the initiative's effectiveness. The decision contrasts England and Northern Ireland with Scotland and Wales, both of which have committed to including glass bottles in their respective DRS frameworks.
Consumers across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland purchase an estimated 30 billion single-use drink containers each year. Alarmingly, 5 billion bottles and cans still end up as waste rather than being recycled.
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy
“A Deposit Return Scheme really is a silver bullet that will get plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans out of our parks, off our streets, and away from our rivers and seas.
“Depressingly we litter, burn or bury millions of drinks containers each and every day. This legislation will end all that, save the taxpayer millions in clean-up costs and give recycling a real shot in the arm.
“Backed and paid for by producers, this method of retrieval and recycling is tried and tested the world over, so at Keep Britain Tidy, we are putting out the bunting that this government is committed to make it happen, for us all.”
Stephen Moorhouse, Vice President and General Manager of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB Business Unit
“We’ve been supportive of launching a DRS across the UK for a number of years as they are a proven way of increasing recycling, reducing waste and tackling litter. Therefore, we welcome the clarity provided by the regulation for England and Northern Ireland and are encouraged by recent developments that will ensure an aligned scheme with Scotland despite broader challenges around a UK-wide approach.
“Delivering to the timelines will be challenging but achievable, and now is the time for industry to roll up its sleeves to create a well-designed system that works for businesses, shoppers and the environment.”
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman
“We are pleased to have certainty on the DRS regulations so local shops can start to prepare for October 2027 and our communities can realise the benefits of reduced litter and higher quality recycled materials.
“Now the real work begins to make the deposit return scheme a success through cross-industry partnership and a planned network of return points that work for customers.”
Sandy Luk, Chief Executive at the Marine Conservation Society
“Today marks a fantastic win for our seas, as MPs voted in favour of a deposit return scheme in England and Northern Ireland. With plans already in motion in Scotland and the Welsh Government exploring an ambitious scheme to include reuse, this is a great step towards schemes starting across the UK in October 2027.
“Last year, 97% of surveyed UK beaches were polluted with bottles and cans, posing threat to marine life like seabirds and seals. Deposit return schemes will not only boost recycling and move us towards a circular economy where nothing is thrown away but also significantly reduce this kind of beach pollution.
“We’re excited to support governments and industry in launching these schemes as soon as possible.”
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