The newly elected Labour government has announced plans to accelerate the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), moving it forward from the originally proposed start date of 2027. This decision was confirmed by Circular Economy Minister, Mary Creagh, who emphasised the government’s commitment to a zero-waste economy.
Creagh said: “This government is dedicated to developing a roadmap towards a zero-waste economy—a future where resources are used for longer, waste is minimised, the path to net zero is accelerated, and there is significant investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs. This will lead to a thriving economy and a flourishing natural environment."
She further mentioned that the government is currently reviewing various packaging reforms and will collaborate with devolved governments, industry, and other stakeholders to determine the next steps for implementing the DRS. Creagh assured that updates will be provided to Parliament in due course.
The launch of the Conservative government’s initial proposal for a 2027 DRS faced criticism from various campaign groups and food and beverage manufacturers, who urged a quicker implementation.
'A Positive Start'
City to Sea CEO Jane Martin welcomed the Labour government's announcement, describing the DRS as a proven method for advancing the circular economy. Martin noted that countries like Germany have achieved successful return rates of over 90%. She praised the Labour government's decision to expedite the DRS, particularly given the perceived lack of environmental commitments in their manifesto. However, Martin stressed that for the scheme to be truly effective, it must include all types of drink containers—plastic, aluminium, and glass—and should be viewed as a first step towards reusable packaging.
Jim Bligh, director of corporate affairs and packaging at the food and drink federation, also expressed support, highlighting the importance of a unified UK-wide approach to ensure consistency, ease of use, and improved recycling rates across all four nations.
View our previous story, "UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme looking more likely for 2025 (30.05.2024)"
