The organisation behind the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland has set a flat rate of 20p per container, finalising a key detail just over 18 months before the October 2027 rollout.
Exchange for Change, the not-for-profit entity overseeing the initiative, announced that the single charge will apply to all single-use drinks bottles and cans ranging from 150ml to 3 litres. This includes containers made from PET plastic, steel, and aluminium. Consumers will receive the full amount back upon returning their empties.
The decision was shaped by a deep dive into existing DRS models across Europe and globally, alongside proprietary behavioural research. The organisation tested consumer reactions to deposits between 10p and 30p. Results indicated that anything below 15p would likely fail to drive the necessary 90% return rate target within three years. Conversely, a 30p deposit risked imposing too high an immediate cost burden on shoppers.
A variable system – where different container sizes or materials carry different deposits – was also considered but rejected. Such models, while used in some countries, have typically led to lower recycling rates for smaller packaging.
By locking in the deposit amount now, Exchange for Change aims to give producers and retailers ample lead time to adapt their systems. The group confirmed the 20p figure strikes a balance: providing a genuine behavioural nudge to consumers while keeping the process straightforward and operationally realistic for businesses.
Russell Davies, Exchange for Change CEO said: ‘The deposit value is a pivotal part of how the deposit return scheme will work in practice. That’s why we’ve engaged widely with industry, undertaken extensive market research and in-depth analysis on how schemes work in other countries.
‘This work has identified that a flat 20p deposit is the most proportionate and sustainable amount for the UK. Confirming this now, with just under 18 months to go until the DRS is live, will help producers and retailers with their planning and preparation for the scheme, and we will continue to support them closely throughout this process.’