The introduction of a deposit return scheme (DRS) for single-use drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland has been passed (Tuesday, January 21) by the House of Commons. MPs voted 352 to 75 (a majority of 277) in favour of a proposed law designed to incentivize recycling of plastic bottles, steel and aluminium drinks.
Set to come in from 2027, the DRS will introduce a deposit charge when buying single-use containers. You’ll only get that money back when you hand it in for recycling at a designated return point. But who’s to stop you from collecting a little extra by cleaning up your neighbourhood?
Similar schemes are already in practice in several European countries – like Finland, where there is a 97% return rate. Germany was one of the first big European countries to adopt a deposit refund scheme in 2003, where the return price for all single-use plastic bottles, aluminium cans and glass bottles is €0.25.
The vote comes shortly after supermarket bosses called for the October 2027 start date to be postponed – citing the economy, Wales’ withdrawal from the scheme, and Scotland’s struggles to introduce its own deposit return scheme (which was originally planned for July 2022 but has face several delays).
What are the benefits of a deposit return scheme?
Mary Creagh, Circular Economy Minister, said before the vote: “We have known for decades that the ‘take, make, throw’ model causes harm. It leads to littering, landfill and incineration. When it comes to addressing waste, this government will not waste time. We are turning back the plastic tide and moving to a circular economy that keeps valuable resources in use for longer.”
The aim of a deposit return scheme is simple: To drastically reduce littering and increase recycling of single-use drink containers. Keep Britain Tidy’s 2020 analysis highlighted that 55% of litter by volume was plastic and metal drinks containers, and similar schemes have proven successful elsewhere.
Sandy Luk, Chief Executive at the Marine Conservation Society, said, “Last year, 97% of surveyed UK beaches were polluted with bottles and cans, posing a threat to marine life like seabirds and seals. Deposit return schemes will not only boost recycling and move us towards a circular economy where nothing is thrown away but also significantly reduce this kind of beach pollution.”
The UK government also adds that deposit return schemes can reduce “other types of litter, as drinks containers can be ‘magnets’ attracting other types of litter.” Plus, another benefit of the scheme is the creation of 4,000 new jobs in the UK, as well as investment in infrastructure required to deliver the scheme.
Why no glass?
The glass industry has already said it’s not keen on the deposit return, arguing more than 60% of glass is already recycled. This has already led to delays in Scotland’s DRS and could be a major decision behind not including glass in the England and Northern Irelands scheme – which is excluded “on the basis of extensive consultation.”
How much will I get for recycling?
The price in England is yet to be determined, but in Scotland, it is currently set to be 20p per single-use drink container.