Deposit return scheme body gets the green light
The UK Government has confirmed it has appointed an industry coalition called the UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO) to run the £1.13bn deposit return scheme, which is due to launch in October 2027. The post Deposit return scheme body gets the green light appeared first on The Drinks Business.
The UK Government has confirmed it has appointed an industry coalition called the UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO) to run the £1.13bn deposit return scheme, which is due to launch in October 2027.
The DMO, a not-for-profit body formed by senior executives from across the sector - including Tesco, Coca-Cola, Heineken and Co-op - will oversee what has been billed as one of the most ambitious environmental infrastructure programmes in a generation.
The appointment, made by Defra and endorsed by ministers in Scotland, follows a delayed decision due to the local elections. It marks a critical step forward after years of planning and policy turbulence - including the collapse of Scotland’s previous DRS effort in 2023 and the Welsh government’s shock withdrawal from a UK-wide approach in late 2024.
Scheme to tackle waste and drive circularity
The DRS will apply to single-use plastic and metal drinks containers across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, aiming to reduce litter, raise recycling rates, and cut carbon emissions. According to The Countryside Charity, the scheme is expected to generate up to 4,000 jobs UK-wide and drive substantial investment in logistics, storage, and recycling infrastructure.
The DMO’s remit is broad. It will be responsible for registering drinks producers, ensuring compliance, managing deposit flows and reimbursements, co-ordinating return points, and overseeing the sorting and recycling of containers. It will also develop anti-fraud measures such as approved barcoding and labelling systems.
In a joint statement, the UK DMO board said: “DRS is an opportunity to deliver a transformational step forward in the circular economy in the UK and the appointment of the DMO is a major milestone in that journey.
“We don’t underestimate the scale of the challenge, but our aim is simple - to build a system that’s fair, efficient and easy to use."
“Our work is already underway and we’ll be working closely with governments, businesses of all sizes, environmental groups and consumer bodies to move forward as quickly as possible.”
Industry backs the appointment
Industry leaders have welcomed the news, calling for close collaboration to ensure the system delivers on its environmental and economic promise.
Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, said: “This appointment marks a key milestone in realising the opportunities of a more circular economy, driving £1.13bn of industry investment over the next three years and creating more than 4,000 jobs across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland."
The DMO, a not-for-profit body formed by senior executives from across the sector - including Tesco, Coca-Cola, Heineken and Co-op - will oversee what has been billed as one of the most ambitious environmental infrastructure programmes in a generation.
The appointment, made by Defra and endorsed by ministers in Scotland, follows a delayed decision due to the local elections. It marks a critical step forward after years of planning and policy turbulence - including the collapse of Scotland’s previous DRS effort in 2023 and the Welsh government’s shock withdrawal from a UK-wide approach in late 2024.
Scheme to tackle waste and drive circularity
The DRS will apply to single-use plastic and metal drinks containers across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, aiming to reduce litter, raise recycling rates, and cut carbon emissions. According to The Countryside Charity, the scheme is expected to generate up to 4,000 jobs UK-wide and drive substantial investment in logistics, storage, and recycling infrastructure.
The DMO’s remit is broad. It will be responsible for registering drinks producers, ensuring compliance, managing deposit flows and reimbursements, co-ordinating return points, and overseeing the sorting and recycling of containers. It will also develop anti-fraud measures such as approved barcoding and labelling systems.
In a joint statement, the UK DMO board said: “DRS is an opportunity to deliver a transformational step forward in the circular economy in the UK and the appointment of the DMO is a major milestone in that journey.
“We don’t underestimate the scale of the challenge, but our aim is simple - to build a system that’s fair, efficient and easy to use."
“Our work is already underway and we’ll be working closely with governments, businesses of all sizes, environmental groups and consumer bodies to move forward as quickly as possible.”
Industry backs the appointment
Industry leaders have welcomed the news, calling for close collaboration to ensure the system delivers on its environmental and economic promise.
Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, said: “This appointment marks a key milestone in realising the opportunities of a more circular economy, driving £1.13bn of industry investment over the next three years and creating more than 4,000 jobs across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland."
BRC director of food and sustainability Andrew Opie added: “A well-designed deposit return scheme, with retail at its heart, will be an important contribution to delivering a circular economy in the UK.
“We welcome today’s appointment of the DMO to oversee the DRS. Retailers and the BRC have been central to the DMO’s development, committing significant funding, time and resource to get to this point and we are pleased that our voice will continue to be heard as the initiative progresses."
“The DMO must now get to work to ensure the smooth delivery of a DRS that works for businesses and consumers. We look forward to engaging with them and the government to ensure that DRS makes a meaningful difference to recycling across the UK.”
