What is a Deposit Return Scheme?

Deposit Return Schemes are used across the world to encourage people to recycle drinks containers such as bottles and cans.

They work by charging anyone who buys a drink a small deposit for the bottle or can that it comes in.

They get this money back when they return the bottle or can to a collection point to be recycled.

In Norway they have a Deposit Return Scheme which captures 96% of their single-use plastic bottles.

This keeps the high quality plastic in the loop, making it much easier to recycle into new products, meaning less need for new plastic bottles to be created

What are the benefits of a Deposit Return Scheme?

Consumers

They can be rewarded for using a Reverse Vending Machine to recycle their used drinks containers - this could be by cash, a supermarket voucher or a donation to a charity
Deposit return systems are quick, convenient and easy to use
Technical advances in Reverse Vending Machines enhance the user experience

Businesses

An efficient, clean way to recycle containers
Time and cost-efficient automated container sorting
Creates labour saving in stores by automating manual tasks

Environment

Less plastic pollution pouring into the ocean, on our streets and in our parks
Less raw materials and energy needed to produce new drinks containers
Less litter in landfill helping to protect the environment for future generations

Deposit Return Scheme UK

‘Go live’ planned for October 2027

Further updates on