UK – The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed plans to implement a deposit return scheme (DRS) for England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, following Wales’ decision to pursue an independent approach.
The three-country DRS is slated to launch in October 2027.
In a statement, Defra acknowledged Wales’ exceptional recycling performance—ranked second globally—and expressed its commitment to ongoing collaboration.
“With Wales already ranked second in the world for recycling, they are uniquely positioned to implement a scheme tailored to an already high-performing system,” said Defra in a statement.
“We will continue to work in partnership with the Welsh Government as they make decisions regarding a DRS scheme in Wales.”
Policy conflicts over glass inclusion
Wales’ departure from the joint scheme stems from disagreements over the inclusion of glass. In 2022, the Conservative-led UK Government excluded glass from the DRS scope, a decision opposed by Wales, which opted to include it in its own plans.
This divergence led to tensions, with UK ministers threatening to block Welsh legislation via the Internal Market Act.
Welsh Counsel General Mick Antoniw criticized the Act, stating in May, “The Internal Market Act 2020 is offensive to Wales, as it seeks to severely undermine the powers of the democratically elected Senedd.”
The UK has also faced challenges with Scotland over DRS plans. In 2023, Scotland’s attempt to launch its own scheme, including glass, sparked legal disputes under the Internal Market Act.
However, the collapse of Scotland’s DRS, following the administration of Circularity Scotland, ended the conflict.
Economic and environmental benefits
Defra emphasized the environmental and economic advantages of DRS, noting its potential to significantly reduce litter and attract other types of waste for recycling.
The scheme is also expected to create approximately 4,000 jobs across the UK and drive substantial infrastructure investment.
Regulations for the DRS in England and Northern Ireland will be laid out in November 2024, paving the way for the appointment of Deposit Management Organizations in April 2025.
Defra affirmed its commitment to collaboration with industry, “We look forward to working closely with industry to ensure the successful delivery of our DRS.”
This initiative signals a major step in addressing waste management challenges while navigating complex intergovernmental dynamics within the UK.
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