Delivering DRS success for the UK

Last week, CanTech made its second 2025 trip to the House of Lords, as I received a parliamentary invitation to hear a discussion by representatives from across packaging, convenience and politics about how the UK can best achieve a world-class deposit return scheme, which is set for implementation in October 2027.

The panel featured Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick; David Chadwick MP, Liberal Democrat shadow minister for Wales; Andrew Truelove, senior vice president of automation and can making solutions at CarnaudMetalbox Engineering, representing CMB RVM Solutions; Guy Mason, head of public affairs and responsibility at Heineken UK; and Edward Woodall, government relations director for the Association of Convenience Stores.

The discussion was based around what retailers, drinks companies and the scheme administrator (UK DMO) can do to best prepare for the implementation start date. Key drivers considered included interoperability, clear, concise consumer messaging and key location targeting for the reverse vending machines – taking into consideration space and optimal positioning, not only in stores where “retail is detail,” as Woodall noted, but in more on-the-go locations too, as Truelove emphasised. CMB RVM Solutions, which in October announced the launch of its Made in Britain mobile reverse vending machines, is set to aid smaller retailers in convenience stores, transport hubs, pubs and festivals set up return units, in order to ensure a fully inclusive scheme nationwide.

In a statement on social media after the parliamentary event, CMB RVM Solutions said: “It was a privilege to introduce our new UK-made portable Reverse Vending Machine in such a significant national setting – a solution designed to help small retailers participate confidently and efficiently in the scheme.

“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation and to support the UK on its journey toward a fully circular system for cans and PET bottles,” it concluded.

Heineken’s share of the market is significant – representing one billion units across the UK, Mason said, but in the bigger picture, this is only a small part of the 25 billion units which will part of the DRS when it comes into effect. “The DRS will operate slightly differently for the on-and off-trade,” he said, noting that Heineken is involved in both of these trades, including pubs across the UK. His main message was that “compromise and sacrifice” will be necessary for any business, large or small, from October 2027, as will finding a solution that works for Wales in order to avoid the complexities involved with operating different schemes across the country’s border. Fortunately, Heineken’s managing director, Boudewijn Haarsma, sits on the UK DMO board.

Chadwick also emphasised that Wales’ “divergence is a concern – as any unnecessary fragmentation breeds concern,” and said that nationwide clarity exists in many DRS-operating EU countries currently, so we need to be studying the successes of those. The UK’s DRS needs to be “evidence-led and [the government needs to be] considerate of the required timeframes and capabilities of the businesses involved to prepare for the implementation,” he urged.

Educating consumers will also be crucial, it was unanimously agreed by the panel and attendees. Woodall noted that in a study conducted by the Association of Convenience Stores across 1,100 consumers, 53 per cent of those participants did not know what a deposit return scheme was, let alone that one will be coming into effect in their country. Many people in the room noted that their friends and family were also unaware. “It will be a huge behavioural change,” said Mason, commenting on the action of taking back beverage containers to point-of-sale locations.

This is why the UK DMO’s public communications about the many benefits of the DRS, as well as signage around the areas where deposit return machines are, will be key, commented Baroness Ritchie. She also emphasised that the accessibility of the machines themselves needs to be excellent, in order for anyone elderly or with a disability to use them with ease and more importantly, “with confidence.”

This being my last blog of the year before the festive period begins, I would like to heartily extend my thanks to all of CanTech‘s loyal readers, writers, contributors and advertisers. You’re the people that keep us flourishing, so here’s wishing you all happy and healthy holidays, and very best wishes for the New Year. See you in 2026!

Alex Rivers (she/her), CanTech International editor
Keep in touch via email: [email protected], LinkedIn: CanTech International magazine or X: @CanTechIntl