Wales takes next step on bottle return scheme
The Welsh Government has taken a further step towards introducing a national Deposit Return Scheme, with new regulations laid before the Senedd.
The Deposit Return Scheme for Drinks Containers, Wales Regulations 2026, set out the legal framework for the scheme, which is due to launch on 1 October 2027 in line with the rest of the UK.
Under the scheme, shoppers will pay a refundable deposit when they buy an eligible drink and will be able to reclaim it by returning the empty container to a collection point, such as a reverse vending machine.
The Welsh scheme will cover single-use drinks containers made from PET plastic, aluminium, steel and glass, ranging in size from 150ml to 3 litres.
The inclusion of glass bottles has required agreement from the UK Government on an exclusion from the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, because glass is not currently included in the planned schemes for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In a written statement, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “We have always been clear that we need to progress a scheme which meets Wales’ needs and delivers improvement against our high recycling rates, whilst managing interoperability across the UK.
“In practice, this means a scheme that includes glass bottles in Wales, even though the previous UK Government chose to diverge from that previously collectively agreed scope.
“That difference in scope has meant the need for an exclusion from the UK Internal Market Act.
“Through partnership working with the other Governments in the UK, I am pleased to be able to confirm their agreement to that exclusion being brought forward.”
The regulations define the purpose and scope of the scheme and allow for the appointment of a Deposit Management Organisation to run it. Applications for the role opened in November 2025.
Although glass will be included from the start date, it will carry a zero-pence deposit during a four-year transition period. This means customers will not initially pay a deposit on glass bottles, giving producers and retailers time to adapt before full deposits are introduced.
The British Soft Drinks Association said the regulations marked progress towards a UK-wide system.
Andy Bagnall, Director General at the British Soft Drinks Association, said: “This is a big step forward in establishing a UK-wide deposit return scheme, enabling a unified approach for aluminium cans and plastic bottles, although granting an exclusion for single-use glass means challenges remain.
“We look forward to the Welsh Government now rapidly appointing a scheme administrator and ensuring glass is included in the scheme in the most practical way possible, by keeping the required number of glass-enabled reverse vending machines to a minimum.
“The Welsh Government must also engage with industry to resolve the issues inherent in different schemes for glass on either side of the border – including the risk of substantial fraud – to remove the cliff edge in four years’ time when the transition period ends.
“This pragmatic approach is the only way to deliver a workable scheme without unintended consequences for shoppers and small businesses. The soft drinks industry will play its part so that, together, we can kickstart the circular economy, boost recycling and reduce litter.”
The regulations will now be considered by Senedd Members ahead of the planned 2027 launch date.
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