Draft legislation for England and Northern Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been laid before Parliament by Defra, marking a significant step towards improving recycling rates and reducing environmental waste. The proposed legislation is accessible online and aims to address the UK's lagging drinks container recycling rates, currently averaging 70%.
Jenni Hume, UK and Ireland Director at Reloop, welcomed the progress. “This scheme will play a vital role in cleaning up our communities and fostering a circular economy for packaging. Germany’s DRS, achieving a 98% collection rate, shows the potential of such initiatives. Although excluding glass is a missed opportunity, the environmental benefits still far outweigh the costs of inaction."
The announcement comes shortly after Wales’ decision to exit the joint DRS process. Last week, Welsh Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS cited complications arising from the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 as the reason for Wales’ withdrawal. He confirmed Wales would pursue a DRS tailored to its own environmental ambitions, including the inclusion of glass containers.
Despite calls from some industry groups, including The Recycling Association (TRA) and LARAC, to pause or abandon the scheme, Defra has reaffirmed its commitment to launching the DRS across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland by October 2027.
A UK government spokesperson stated: “This scheme will drive investment into infrastructure, create thousands of green jobs, and help transition to a circular economy. Collaboration with devolved governments and industry remains key to its success.”
With public and political backing, the scheme promises to bring the UK closer to international best practices in recycling, creating a significant environmental and economic impact. However, divergence in approach among devolved administrations highlights challenges in achieving a unified strategy.
View our previous DRS story, 'Wales Exits Joint Deposit Return Scheme Development [18.11.2024'].
