A flat 20p deposit will be applied to all drinks containers included under the UK’s forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), it has been confirmed.
The announcement came via Exchange for Change, which is in charge of rolling out the scheme for recycling when it launches for most participating UK nations in October next year.
According to the not-for-profit, anyone purchasing single-use PET plastic, steel and aluminium drinks containers between 150ml and 3L will pay the 20p fee at the point of purchase. That sum will then be refundable when the empty container is returned at an approved return point.
Industry pundits have welcomed the clarity for retailers and suppliers as preparations intensify.
Russell Davies, Exchange for Change CEO said: “The deposit value is a pivotal part of how the DRS will work in practice. That’s why we’ve engaged widely with industry, undertaken extensive market research and in-depth analysis on how schemes work in other countries. This work has identified that a flat 20p deposit is the most proportionate and sustainable amount for the UK.”
Travis Way, MD at EcoVend, part of environmental services company Reconomy, said the move would help businesses plan with greater confidence.
“A simple, uniform deposit should support consumer understanding and mirrors other well-established European schemes,” he said.
The Fed has also welcomed the confirmation that plastic bottles and cans will be subject to a 20p deposit. The 20p figure was decided after consideration of 10p or 30p.
National President Hetal Patel said: “The Fed is pleased that this has now been confirmed. All the evidence from retail engagement in the UK and from other countries already applying DRS around the world indicates it has been set at a sensible level. This will provide customers with a positive nudge to return their bottles and cans so they can be recycled, reducing waste.”
Fragmented rollout across the UK
The clarity on deposits will be important for retailers which have been forced to navigate the implications of infrastructure investment, cashflow and customer engagement strategies since the DRS was first formally proposed by government back in 2018.
However, while the deposit level is now clear, the timeline and scope of DRS implementation remain uneven across the UK.
In England and Northern Ireland, the scheme is currently scheduled to launch in October 2027 following multiple delays. The system will cover plastic bottles and metal cans, but notably excludes glass. The exemption has been welcomed by manufacturers which say glass is already well-represented in kerbside recycling. At the same time, the decision drew criticism from parts of the industry concerned about missed recycling opportunities and cross-border inconsistencies.
In Scotland, plans for a standalone DRS have been significantly scaled back. Originally set to be the UK’s first operational scheme, Scotland’s rollout was delayed over disputes such as the inclusion of glass (it has since been confirmed that glass will not feature in a Scottish DRS). It is now due to launch in line with England and Northern Ireland in October 2027.
Meanwhile, Wales has maintained its intention to include glass within its DRS. The Welsh government has signalled a desire to proceed with a broader, more environmentally ambitious scheme, though timings remain less clear.
