Overview

• The UK government has set October 2027 as the launch date for a nationwide deposit return scheme across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Households will receive financial incentives for recycling single-use plastic and metal drink containers ranging from 150ml to 3L at supermarket collection points.
• Major retailers, including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s, will host collection points to facilitate the scheme.
• The appointment of the not-for-profit, industry-led body to oversee the scheme, initially expected in April 2025, remains unconfirmed.
• The initiative aims to reduce the 6.5 billion drink containers currently going unrecycled annually and draws inspiration from over 50 countries with return rates averaging 90%.