A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers, is a type of extended producer responsibility (EPR) whereby producers are given a significant responsibility (financial and/or physical) for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products. In a DRS, a monetary deposit is put on the sale of beverages obligated under the scheme, which is refunded once the empty container is taken to a return point for recycling.
Scotland is introducing a separate DRS for drinks containers to the rest of the UK nations, however this has been delayed until October 2025 at the earliest. Containers in scope of Scottish DRS are: PET plastic, glass, steel and aluminium cans.
Legislation – The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020
Scheme Administrator website – Circularity Scotland Ltd
Guidance – Not for profit Zero Waste Scotland website
England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be introducing a joint DRS for drinks containers.
Containers in scope of England and Northern Ireland DRS are: PET plastic, steel, and aluminium cans.
Containers in scope of Wales DRS are: PET plastic, glass, steel & aluminium cans.
Consultation response – Introducing a DRS for drinks containers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2021 consultation government response
Consultation response news story update by Emma Wilkinson - Government response on DRS for drinks containers
Available Resources
Keep an eye out here for the response