Deposit Return Scheme
Drinks litter is one of the most commonly found items on our beaches. We've been calling for Deposit Return Schemes to be urgently introduced across the UK.
What is a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)?
You pay a small deposit on top of the price of a drink. When finished, you return the drinks container to a collection point - in a supermarket or shop for example - where you get your money back.
This sort of system would reduce littering, putting a value on what is commonly seen as 'worthless', and encourage others to pick up drinks litter they come across. It’s a simple idea which would have an immediate impact.
Why do we need Deposit Return Schemes?
DRS reduce litter and help the drive towards a circular economy - where materials aren’t lost, but used again and again.
Between 1994-2019, we've seen a 32% increase in drinks containers across the UK.
Our Bottles for Change campaign, launched in 2018, gathered more than 25,000 signatures in support of a DRS for all drinks containers, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We’ve seen incredible public support for a Deposit Return Scheme and further delay means more bottles and cans blighting our beaches.
Dr Laura Foster, Head of Clean Seas
Progress in the UK
England
In January 2023, the UK Government for England announced plans for a DRS to be introduced by 2025. This follows a number of consultations which gathered insights from members of the public and businesses into how a DRS could work. Read our response to the consultation.
Although the introduction of the scheme is a step in the right direction to reduce drinks-related litter such as plastic bottles and aluminium drinks cans, glass will not be included.
In their 2019 manifesto, the UK Government committed to a Deposit Return Scheme including glass: “We will [...] introduce a deposit return scheme to incentivise people to recycle plastic and glass.”
Our Great British Beach Clean has found glass items consistently in the top 10 litter items in England since 2001 - in 2022 it was the third top litter item found.
Northern Ireland
In January 2023, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow announced the Government's plans for Deposit Return Schemes covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland, set to be introduced in 2025.
Glass bottles will not be captured by DRS in Northern Ireland. Glass drinks bottles will be covered by the Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging scheme, which will place targets on producers in relation to glass recycling.
Scotland
Scotland was the first nation in the UK to commit to a DRS, which will include PET plastic bottles, glass bottles and steel/aluminium drinks cans.
Prices for drinks in these types of containers will include a deposit of 20p per bottle or can, which will be fully refunded when returned for recycling.
The scheme was due to be implemented in August 2023. However, on 18th April 2023, Scottish Government announced a further delay to the Deposit Return Scheme until March 2024. We're disappointed that yet again, the scheme will be delayed. We know Deposit Return Schemes have huge potential to turn the tide on drinks-related pollution, for the benefit of both people and planet.
Scotland's seas cannot, and should not, be paying the price for our waste. We now call on everyone involved to work together to deliver a Deposit Return Scheme that Scotland can be proud of and will benefit our beaches for generations to come.
Wales
Alongside the announcement for England, the Welsh Government also revealed their plans to introduce a DRS by 2025. The scheme would allow consumers to return plastic bottles and lids, aluminium cans, and glass drinks containers.