UK DMO Appointed to Oversee UK-Wide Deposit Return Scheme
The UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO) has now been officially appointed as the Scheme Administrator for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which will launch across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in October 2027.
The DRS will apply to PET plastic bottles and aluminium/steel cans between 150ml and 3 litres, but glass will not be included. Consumers will pay a small deposit when purchasing drinks, which is refunded when containers are returned for recycling.
Trade associations, including the Scottish Wholesale Association, played a central role in shaping the UK DMO board, ensuring wholesaler representation alongside producers and retailers. The DMO is now focused on building its organisation, engaging with industry, and preparing the operational design of the scheme.
The introduction of DRS is expected to increase recycling rates to over 90%, significantly reduce litter, and deliver substantial carbon savings by 2035.
The UK DMO Industry Brief sets out the full details of the scheme, its structure, and the planned timeline to go live in 2027.