The UK Department for the Environment (Defra) announced decisions on the deposit return system it plans to roll out for single-use drinks packaging in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in January. The British environment ministry now intends to make 1 October 2025 the go-live date for the DRS in all areas of the country except Scotland, which will already have its own DRS at that stage.
Defra also made announcements regarding the scope of the system. PET bottles and beverage cans will be included in all constituent countries. The DRS will exclude glass bottles in both England and Northern Ireland. In Wales glass bottles will be in-scope, as they will be under Scotland's system. All UK DRSs will cover containers with fill volumes of 50ml to three litres....
