The UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO) will operate the new Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) for single-use plastic and metal drinks containers in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The UK DMO has been tasked by the three governments to deliver the DRS by October 2027. From that date, when people buy drinks containers made from PET plastic, steel and aluminium between 150ml and 3 litres, they will pay a small deposit, which they will get back when they return the empty container for recycling.

Each year, 6.5 billion drinks containers are discarded across the three countries, contributing to 43% of all litter. The scheme aims to reduce this figure significantly while increasing recycling rates and cutting emissions.

What will the UK DMO be responsible for?

The UK DMO is responsible for designing and operating the system that will enable the scheme, including producer registration, logistics, finance, fraud prevention and public communications. It will begin engaging with partners including the three governments, drinks producers, retailers, and consumer and environmental groups.

Its board members have been nominated by trade associations representing large and small producers, major supermarkets, small convenience stores and wholesalers across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

According to a report from The Countryside Charity, introducing DRS is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs across the UK and will bring significant investment in infrastructure including storage, logistics and reprocessing.

Supermarkets and drinks giants launch group to run UK’s deposit return scheme

In a joint statement, the UK DMO Board said: “We don’t underestimate the scale of the challenge, but our aim is simple – to build a system that’s fair, efficient and easy to use. Our work is already underway, and we’ll be working closely with governments, businesses of all sizes, environmental groups and consumer bodies to move forward as quickly as possible.”

Retailers urged to engage

James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said for the scheme to be successful, local shops will need to play an “integral part”, offering a convenient network of return points for local residents and people consuming drinks on the go.

He added: “With less than two-and-a-half years before launch, it is vital that retailers can make informed choices about how to take part in the scheme, and we are committed to providing the information and advice they need.”

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), added that a “well-designed DRS with retail at its heart” would be an important contribution to delivering a circular economy.

He said: “Retailers and the BRC have been central to the DMO’s development, committing significant funding, time and resource to get to this point and we are pleased that our voice will continue to be heard as the initiative progresses.

“The DMO must now get to work to ensure the smooth delivery of a DRS that works for businesses and consumers.”

What are the retail and wholesale sectors saying about the UK DMO?

Dr Pete Cheema, chief executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, added: “Now that the DMO is in place, it provides an important opportunity for our members to address any concerns they have as early as possible and help build confidence in the scheme. Making sure that retailers have all the information they need about the options available to them.”

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors and the Scottish Wholesale Association jointly said: “We are pleased the wholesale sector is represented on the DMO Board, ensuring our voice and the interests of wholesalers operating across the UK is heard at the highest level.

“It is vital that the unique challenges faced by wholesale businesses, as both distributors, producers and as retailers are recognised and addressed in a practical and proportionate manner by the DMO.”

Claire Shrewsbury, director of insights and innovation at WRAP, said it was “critical” that the DMO convenes the right parties to deliver an effective and engaging DRS system that people will want to use.

She added: “A significant behaviour change campaign based on the insights around existing recycling engagement and from other countries must support its introduction, to ensure people are aware of, and clear how to use this form of recycling alongside existing collections.”

Read more: OPINION: Deposit Return Scheme needs to compensate retailers fairly