Overview

• The scheme applies to plastic and metal drinks containers between 150ml and three litres, with a deposit added to purchase price and redeemed at Tesco, Asda, Morrisons or Sainsbury’s collection points
• Households in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland can start returning containers when the scheme launches in October 2027
• The government estimates 30 billion single-use drinks containers are sold each year, with 6.5 billion currently going to waste
• Deposit returns are part of the Plan for Change initiative aimed at boosting recycling rates, generating green jobs and strengthening supply chains
• Wales is developing its own complementary deposit return scheme to operate alongside the UK-wide plan