The UK Government has issued a revised timetable for its long-awaited Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), now expected to launch in October 2027. Initially proposed as part of the 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy, the scheme is seen as a crucial step in reducing waste and improving UK’s recycling rates.
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Delays and Adjustments
Originally, the UK Government planned to introduce the DRS in 2025 for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland had intended to launch its own scheme in March 2024, but was postponed for October 2025. The Government has now committed to a launch on October 2027 for the UK scheme.
UK DRS Details
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Water and Rural Growth, Robbie Moore, announced on April 25th that the DRS would include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles and steel and aluminium cans, but exclude glass containers. Moore also explained that incorporating glass would create unwanted complexity and higher costs for the drinks industry and retailers, due to its weight and fragility.
This focus on plastic bottles and cans is also driven by the high consumption and littering rates of these materials in the UK, and specifically the 14 billion plastic drink bottles and 9 billion drink cans used annually. Additionally, the UK Government expects the DRS to reduce drink container littering by 85 % within three years, even without the inclusion of glass.
Scotland is expected to adopt a similar system, while Wales plans to include glass in its collection. Lastly, Ireland launched its DRS in February, to address plastic bottles and aluminium cans.
Plans for the Future
The UK Government remains committed to eliminating all avoidable waste by 2050, and the DRS is a key component of this strategy. As the country moves towards the DRS’s launch, collaboration between the government, industry, and consumers will be essential to ensure the scheme’s success and long-term impact on reducing waste and improving UK’s recycling rates.
