DRS grant criteria confirmed by Exchange for Change

(Grants to help some retailers install an RVM will go live in January 2027 through Exchange for Change (EfC). Photo courtesy of EfC).

Exchange for Change has confirmed the initial application criteria for independent retailers who participate in DRS to help cover the cost of Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) with registration commencing this coming January.

The Fed lobbied for and welcomed the introduction of grants earlier this year, when the £60m package was announced which comprised £6,000 payments in three annual instalments of £2,000. However, Exchange for Change has now given more information about who will qualify and the Fed is encouraging its members to research the information, in case they are eligible to apply in the new year.

Exchange for change has stated the following:

• It will be available for retailers in rural areas in shops of a floor area up to 200sqm – or in urban greater than 100sqm and less than 200sqm.
• 4,000 of each of these will be open for application in Q1 2027 – representing 8,000 of the likely 10,000 total grants.
  • Retailers can check whether there is area considered “rural” or “urban” by entering their post code on the following link: https://exchangeforchange.co.uk/postcode-lookup/
• A further 2,000 grants are scheduled to be made available from Summer 2027 for those not covered by the initial grant scheme.
• Retailers are considered independent if they operate three stores or fewer.
• Both unaffiliated independents and those trading independently under a fascia group will be eligible, assuming other criteria apply.
• The full grant criteria is available on the Exchange for Change website which can be viewed here: https://exchangeforchange.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Retailer-Grants-Timing-Eligibility-Criteria.pdf

The Fed is calling on Exchange for Change to provide clear communication about the grant application process, as well as on other key aspects of the DRS, to make the roll-out as easy as possible for independent retailers. It is also calling on them to provide access grants for those smallest independent retailers in urban areas who choose to participate in DRS where their floor area is less than 100sqm – as well as those independents above 200sqm who do not currently qualify for grants – in the final tranche of grants which will go live in Summer 2027.

Meanwhile, the Fed recently shared information with its members on how they can register for DRS, more information here on the Fed website as well as on Exchange for Change’s website: www.registration.exchangeforchange.co.uk.

(The Fed’s National President, Hemanshu Patel). 

Commenting, the Fed’s National President, Hemanshu Patel recently said: “The Fed is in regular contact with Exchange for Change, who are responsible for administering the DRS portal and scheme. We are continuing to press for a system that is as straightforward as possible for independent retailers, particularly small shops, whose involvement will be vital to the success of DRS.”