The Fed responds as Exchange for Change announces new UK recycling infrastructure to deliver DRS

(Shoppers will be able to reclaim a 20p deposit for every single-use PET bottle – as well as every aluminium or steel can – they return under DRS where there is a return-point, potentially significantly shifting retail footfall. Photo courtesy of Exchange for Change)

The Deposit Management Organisation, Exchange for Change, that will operate the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) when it goes live in October next year, has confirmed the names of five waste companies who have been appointed to assist in the roll-out of the project.

(Returned items, ready for collection, in the Republic of Ireland, where DRS was introduced in February 2024). 

From October 2027, DRS will see a 20p deposit applied to all single use PET plastic, aluminium and steel drinks containers between 3L and 150ml. Consumers will then get their deposit back when they take back their drinks containers to a return point, with many retailers acting as return point for these items. The Fed is working with the scheme’s administrator, Exchange for Change, to help members understand the Scheme and to ensure it is rolled out with independent retailers in mind.

The appointed companies and the regions they will cover are:

• SUEZ – the North-East, North-West, West-Central and South West regions of England
• CIRQLR – the East Central, South and South East regions of England
• Re.Group – Scotland, working in partnership with Hargreaves Services plc
• Bywaters – London
• Re-Gen – Northern Ireland

Russell Davies, Exchange for Change Chief Executive, said: “Confirming our logistics and processing partners is another significant milestone in our preparations for the scheme going live from October 2027, and it is exciting to see investment in assets and facilities moving ahead, which will also generate hundreds of jobs across the UK.

“Together the five waste management companies will create a resilient and scalable collections network that will ensure efficient collection and processing of DRS materials. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver this crucial element of the deposit return scheme when it goes live in October 2027.” According to a statement from Exchange for Change, “expansion will follow with the creation of three new purpose-built processing facilities in Ely in Cambridgeshire, Knowsley in Merseyside, and Avonmouth, which will be operational from October 2030. Around 400 new recycling vehicles are also expected to be mobilised to facilitate the collection of DRS materials from every corner of the UK.”

The announcement follows the launch of the registration page for DRS, which Exchange for Change launched last week: https://registration.exchangeforchange.co.uk/

Hemanshu Patel, the Fed’s National President, 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.’”