Industry has reacted to the UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO) being appointed as the operator of the new Deposit Return Schemes in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

UK DMO is responsible for designing and operating the systems that make the scheme work, including producer registration, logistics, finance, fraud prevention and public communications.

The appointment has been made by the UK Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland (DAERA), and Scottish Ministers have also decided that the UK DMO should be designated as the DRS scheme administrator.

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Industry reactions to UK DMO

Claire Shrewsbury, Director Insights and Innovation WRAP, said: “WRAP supports a well-designed DRS as part of the UK’s recycling. It is critical the DMO convenes the right parties to deliver an effective and engaging DRS system that people will want to use.

“A significant behaviour change campaign based on the insights around existing recycling engagement and from other countries must support its introduction, to ensure people are aware of, and clear how to use this form of recycling alongside existing collections.

“We are happy to play our part in supporting the introduction of DRS to citizens in this way.”

Commenting on this development, David Gudgeon, Head of External Affairs at Reconomy Connect, a brand by Reconomy, the international circular economy specialist, said: “The appointment of UK Deposit Management Organisation Ltd as scheme administrator for the government’s DRS is an important milestone ahead of it coming into effect in October 2027.

“Once operational, the scheme has the potential to address the depletion of natural resources and help close the vast circularity gap through encouraging the return of empty containers which can be re-used and recycled back into the economy.

“By working together, industry stakeholders can help ensure the scheme’s success which will reduce plastic pollution and carbon emissions while driving job creation and investment.”

Jim Bligh, Director of Corporate Affairs and Packaging, The Food and Drink Federation, said: “We warmly welcome the appointment of the Deposit Management Organisation for the UK’s DRS.

“DRSs around the world have proven to reduce litter, increase the amount of recycled content in drinks containers, and improve recycling rates, and we look forward to the UK’s scheme having a big impact here too.

“We’re disappointed that Wales will not be part of the scheme from the outset. Securing involvement from all four nations will help the DRS reach its full potential, creating an effective scheme for consumers, government and business. We’re committed to working with all the UK’s governments to help make this a reality.”

Carla Brian, Biffa’s Head of Partnerships, said: “The environmental and economic importance of the DRS is significant. A key part of the circular economy, DRS will help tackle littering and further boost recycling rates, which in turn will help preserve natural resources and reduce emissions.

“It is estimated DRS will save 263,600 tonnes tonnes of CO2e per year – about the same amount of carbon produced by 35,000 UK homes each year.

“It also presents a major opportunity for investment and job creation. DRS will need a national network of counting and sorting centres, reverse vending machines, logistics and collection systems, and digital infrastructure. This demand will create opportunities throughout the UK including an estimated 4,000 jobs and is projected to generate a net benefit of £554.6million to the UK economy per year.

“The government’s appointment of the DMO for the new DRS for single-use plastic and metal drinks containers in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland is welcome news.

“Biffa is committed to working with the DMO, alongside local, regional and national authorities, and drinks producers, retailers and others, to develop and deliver a successful DRS for October 2027.”

British Soft Drinks Association Director General, Gavin Partington said: “The British Soft Drinks Association welcomes the UK Government’s appointment of UK Deposit Management Organisation Ltd as scheme administrator for its DRS.

“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 British soft drinks industry looks forward to playing our part in ensuring successful delivery of a DRS by October 2027.”

Elise Seibold, Chief Operating Officer, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, said: “The appointment of the UK DMO is another significant step towards a circular economy for drinks containers.

“Through cross industry collaboration, we show our commitment to delivering a scheme that works for everyone – drinks producers, consumers and retailers. As well as long term benefits such as reduced litter and increased recycling rates, an October 2027 DRS is also a critical step for businesses, and the UK, to achieve net zero.

“Together we can create a scheme that reduces waste, fosters sustainable habits and sets a global standard for environmental leadership.”

British Retail Consortium Director of Food and Sustainability, Andrew Opie said: “A well-designed DRS (DRS), 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.”

The National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) welcomes the announcement of the appointment of the UK DMO for the drinks container DRS.

The NAWDO says there remain many unanswered questions on how local authorities will interact with the DRS, how they will be funded for drinks containers they continue to manage, what will be done to address a loss of local authority income from the sale of collected recyclate, and how any negative street cleansing impacts caused by ‘bin raiding’ by scavengers will be addressed.

NAWDO continues that it looks forward to working with the new DMO in the coming months and years on these and other issues.

Natural Source Waters Association General Manager, Kinvara Carey said: “We at the Natural Source Waters Association and our members have been working hard with UK and Devolved Governments, alongside other trade associations, drinks producers and retailers to get to this significant milestone. This announcement is great news for all involved.

“The DMO will have a clear focus on developing the most efficient and effective scheme to reduce littering and enable more drink containers to stay in the loop and be given another life.”

British Beer and Pub Association Chief Executive, Emma McClarkin said: “Our sector is committed to sustainable packaging and a more circular economy and we are proud to have been involved in the development of an industry-led, not for profit, organisation to run the DRS.

“The ambition now is to deliver a complex scheme that requires very significant investment in challenging times with major changes to operations, in a way that’s as cost-effective as possible, while furthering environmental goals.”

Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association Executive Director, Michael Bell OBE said: “Food and drink manufacturers want to see the smoothest possible operation for consumers, for industry, and for delivering for the environment.

“In Northern Ireland we have seen how DRS has developed in the Republic of Ireland and we have been working with government and industry colleagues on the development of a similar scheme for the UK.

“We look forward to working with the Deposit Management Organisation as the delivery of the scheme progresses.”

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