UK households will be paid 20p for every empty plastic bottle or can they return to dedicated collection points at supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's, as part of a new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The scheme, confirmed to roll out from October 1, 2027, aims to reduce litter and boost recycling rates.
How the scheme works
Shoppers will pay a small deposit when buying drinks in plastic bottles or metal cans, and get that deposit back when they return the empty containers to retailers. The flat 20p deposit applies to all in-scope containers, and no receipt is needed for returns.
Travis Way, managing director at RVM experts EcoVend, part of Reconomy, said: "A flat rate also brings practical benefits for businesses by simplifying implementation, reducing administrative complexity and supporting more consistent system design across retailers, producers and return operators."
Scope and rollout
The DRS will be introduced in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland on October 1, 2027. Wales is developing its own scheme, which will include glass bottles but initially without a deposit, to avoid immediate changes to labelling and distribution. The Welsh scheme is expected to align with the UK rate.
Return points will be located at supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, and newsagents that sell drinks, and can be manual or automated using reverse vending machines. Retailers in urban areas with less than 100m2 of retail space are exempt from hosting a return point but can volunteer.
Impact on recycling and litter
UK consumers use around 14 billion plastic drinks bottles and nine billion cans annually. According to Keep Britain Tidy, small plastic bottles and non-alcoholic cans make up 43% of litter by volume. Similar schemes in over 50 countries, including Germany, Sweden, and Ireland, have proven effective.
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: "Deposit return schemes are proven to reduce the littering of cans and plastic bottles and drive up recycling rates which have flatlined for 15 years. Our packaging reforms will create 25,000 jobs and lead to more than £10 billion investment in recycling during the next decade."
Shehab, team leader at Defra, added: "There’s no need for a receipt or proof of purchase, so anyone can return their own drinks containers or ones that they find, as long as they’re in good nick. This means we can all chip in to help clean up our communities – and get something for it."
