Deposit Return Scheme

Drinks litter is one of the most commonly found items on our beaches. We are calling for Deposit Return Schemes to be urgently introduced.

What is a Deposit Return Scheme?

You'd pay a small deposit on top of the price of a drink. When finished, you'd return the drinks container to a collection point, in a supermarket or shop for example, where you'd 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.

Beach litter at Crantock beach

Credit: Natasha Ewins
Credit: Triocean via Shutterstock
Credit: Luke Manley via Shutterstock

Why we need Deposit Return Schemes

Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) reduce litter and help the drive towards a circular economy where materials aren’t lost, but used again and again.

Over the last 26 years (1994-2019) we've seen a 32% increase in drinks containers across the UK.

Progress in the UK

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

The UK Government for England, the Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland launched a second consultation in early 2021, seeking insight from members of the public and businesses into how a Deposit Return Scheme could work. Read our response to the consultation.

This consultation follows one introduced in 2018, sparking our Bottles for Change campaign which gathered more than 25,000 signatures in support of a Deposit Return Scheme, for all drinks containers, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For more information on how you can make your views heard about the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme, visit our Campaigns pages.

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

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 is due to be implemented in July 2022 and the Scottish Government aims to have a 90% return rate within the first three years. It’s a big step towards Scotland having a circular economy.

The Clean Seas programme has been a leader in reducing marine pollution for over decade

Learn more about our work