Exchange for Change has unveiled a package of support measures designed to help retailers prepare for the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme.
The deposit management organisation said the support arrangements, developed in collaboration with regulators in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, aim to give retailers flexibility in deciding how they take part in the DRS.
Current regulations already exempt urban retailers with a retail footprint below 100 square metres from the requirement to provide a return point for eligible drinks containers. Exchange for Change has now confirmed that exemption eligibility will be widened.
Urban stores with sales areas between 100 and 199 square metres will be able to apply for size-related exemptions, while rural retailers with less than 200 square metres of selling space will also have access to the same route.
Further exemption criteria will cover circumstances such as being located close to another return point, operating from listed or heritage properties, having restricted site access, or lacking the utilities needed to support return infrastructure.
Russell Davies, Chief Executive of Exchange for Change, commented: “Retailers will play a fundamental role in transforming how we increase recycling and reduce litter in every corner of the UK through the Deposit Return Scheme.
“This package of support has been developed following extensive consultation with industry and intended to help retailers of different sizes make the best choice for their business, whether that’s installing an RVM or applying for an exemption.”
Grants to Hit 10,000 Small Retailers
Along with the revised exemption arrangements, Exchange for Change announced a £60 million grant programme to assist smaller retailers with the installation of reverse vending machines.
The funding pot is expected to benefit as many as 10,000 independent stores across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Eligible retailers will be able to claim grants worth £6,000 for each participating site, with the money distributed in three annual payments of £2,000.
According to Exchange for Change, each payment will be issued three months after an RVM has been installed.
The grants are designed to offset the initial costs associated with introducing reverse vending technology and will sit alongside the Return Handling Fee (RHF) available to participating retailers.
Earlier this month, Exchange for Change confirmed the RHF rates that will apply once the DRS is operational. Manual return points will receive 3p for every eligible container collected.
Retailers using reverse vending machines will receive payments based on annual volumes.
A fee of 5p per container will apply to the first 225,000 eligible containers processed each year, with returns above that level attracting a payment of 1.3p per container.
