Convenience store owners have welcomed government approval of the UK Deposit Management Organisation Ltd (UK DMO) to deliver the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The UK DMO is a business-led, non-profit organisation which aims to deliver the administration of the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use plastic and metal drinks containers by October 2027.
The Deposit Management Organisation will have responsibility for delivering processes that will be fundamental to convenience retailers’ ability to collect containers and refund deposits in local communities.
These responsibilities include co-ordinating the return-point network, setting the fees that retailers are reimbursed and collecting containers from stores.
Welcoming the news, ACS chief executive James Lowman said, “This is a major step towards the delivery of a Deposit Return Scheme for the UK.
"For the scheme to deliver a step change in recycling rates, local shops will need to play an integral part, offering a convenient network of return points both for local residents and people consuming drinks on the go.
“We are looking forward to working with the newly-formed Deposit Management Organisation to ensure that the scheme is operationally viable and attractive for retailers to take part in.
"With less than two-and-a-half years before launch, it is vital that retailers can make informed choices about how to take part in the scheme, and we are committed to providing the information and advice they need.”
According to a report from The Countryside Charity, introducing DRS is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs across the UK and will bring significant investment in infrastructure required to deliver the scheme including storage, logistics, and reprocessing.
UK DMO will now begin engaging with partners including the three governments, business, including drinks producers and retailers, consumer and environmental groups to design and operate a scheme which works for everyone.
UK DMO is governed by a board that brings together voices from across the drinks and retail sector across all three nations.
Members have been nominated by trade associations representing both large and small producers, major supermarkets, small convenience stores and wholesalers from across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Recruitment is also underway for an independent chair and non-executive directors.
The board includes highly experienced figures from companies including Shepley Spring, Radnor Hills, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Heineken UK, Lidl, Tesco and Co-op.
