Get Your Staff Ready
Preparing Your Staff for a Successful
Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Rollout
DRS is likely to be the biggest overhaul in retail.
Business owners and staff will need to prepare for the significant changes the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will bring.
It’s helpful to think of DRS as a new department within your business, much like adding a bakery, post office or coffee shop. It will require careful planning, clear processes, staff training and day-to-day management to ensure returns are handled efficiently, customers receive the right support and the scheme runs smoothly alongside your existing operations.
Useful information
Revolution in retail
DRS is likely to be the biggest overhaul in retail in many years, with many comparing it to the launch of the National Lottery 30 years ago.
Staff training
Business owners and staff will need to prepare for the major change. DRS can be seen as a new department in your business, like a new branch of your business such as a bakery, post office or coffee shop.
RVM, manual or exempt
As well as the financial impact, this choice will also shape how your staff manage their workload.
Storage
Staff and store owners will also need to work together to manage storage of bags full of items of cans and bottles which can be high value and will need to be securely held in store before collection.
Collection
As of September 2026, collection providers and frequencies have yet to be confirmed, but there are likely to be a range of commercial providers involved in that.
DRS in Wales
Businesses in Wales will need to be aware that glass bottles will also be included, in addition to PET and glass. However, there will be a longer transition period, with the 20p deposit and labelling not set to be introduced until 2031.
The Fed’s raised our members concerns about the adoption of glass and will pass on more details with Fed members when further details of how this work are confirmed.