Households across the UK will soon be able to earn money by returning empty bottles and cans to supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s under a new government recycling initiative designed to cut litter and plastic waste. The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been confirmed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and is due to launch across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in October 2027.
The scheme will reward people financially for returning used drinks containers to dedicated collection points, with no receipt or proof of purchase required. Return points will be located mainly at major supermarkets and at other retailers that sell drinks, including grocery stores, convenience shops and newsagents.
Returned containers will be recycled and customers will receive their deposit back in cash, by card or via vouchers. Similar schemes already operate in more than 50 countries, including Germany, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, where they have been credited with increasing recycling rates and reducing litter in public spaces.
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In its Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, published in December, Defra said the scheme will cover single-use drinks containers ranging from 150ml to three litres made from plastic, steel and aluminium. The department confirmed that most single-use bottles and cans will be included, even if their lids are made from different materials.
However, some items will be excluded, including containers used for liquid medicines such as cough syrup and products like flavour enhancers or drink syrups, reports Claire Schofield from the Express. Retailers will be legally required to refund the deposit when containers are returned, either manually or through reverse vending machines installed in stores.
It is hoped the financial incentive will significantly cut the amount of plastic and metal sent to landfill and reduce the volume of litter on streets and in the countryside. Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said the Government was committed to tackling waste and improving recycling rates.
She said: “This Government is determined to clean up our streets and end our throwaway culture. Deposit return schemes have been proven to reduce litter from cans and plastic bottles and to drive up recycling rates, which have flatlined for 15 years. Our packaging reforms will create 25,000 jobs and lead to more than £10bn of investment in recycling over the next decade.”
Under the scheme, small retailers in urban areas with less than 100 square metres of retail space will be exempt from hosting a return point, although they can volunteer to take part. Other organisations such as hospitality venues, schools, food-to-go outlets, mobile caterers, gyms and community centres will also be able to apply to host voluntary collection points.
Wales is developing its own deposit return system, which will operate alongside the schemes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Defra said: “A redeemable deposit will be placed on specific drinks containers and can be claimed when the item is returned to a collection point such as a local supermarket. There is no need for a receipt or proof of purchase, so anyone can return their own containers or ones they find, as long as they are in good condition.
“This simple change will reward people for doing the right thing and recycling their empty drinks containers. Together, we will help turn the tide on plastic waste.”
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