UK – The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced plans to introduce a deposit return scheme in 2025 to improve the recycling of plastic bottles and drink cans.
The DRS aims to reduce the number of drinks containers being discarded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 85% within three years of launch.
The proposed scheme will include reverse vending machines installed at designated sites, where people can deposit plastic bottles and cans in return for cash.
The government will work with the devolved administrations and industry to begin implementing the program.
UK Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said that the decision to introduce the DRS was made following a consultation, in which 83% of respondents voted in favor of the new system.
The scheme aims to reduce the littering of drinks containers by 85% within three years of being launched.
The introduction of a DRS has been planned since 2018 and was initially due to be launched in 2023, but this was delayed until late 2024 and now 2025.
Environment minister Rebecca Pow said: “We want to support people who want to do the right thing to help stop damaging plastics polluting our green spaces or floating in our oceans and rivers.
“That is why we are moving ahead using our powers from our landmark Environment Act to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers.
“This will provide a simple and effective system across the country that helps people reduce litter and recycle more easily, even when on the move.”
The announcement is in line with the UK Government’s efforts to eliminate avoidable plastic waste.
It also allows the country to follow in the footsteps of other European counterparts like Germany, Finland and Norway which have seen their recycling rates above 90 percent.
The announcement also comes shortly after the UK announced plans to ban single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, expanded and extruded polystyrene food and drinks containers, including cups in England from October 2023.
This follows a ban on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, and restrictions on the supply of single-use plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds.
In addition, the government, through the Environment Act, is bringing in a wide range of further measures to tackle plastic pollution and litter.
They include, the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme will mean packaging producers will be expected to cover the cost of recycling and disposing of their packaging, plans for Consistent Recycling Collections for every household and business in England that will ensure more plastic is recycled.
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