Exchange For Change, the industry-led organisation delivering the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across the UK, today (Sept 30) announced the creation of a new UK recycling infrastructure that will support the delivery of the scheme from October 2027.
Following an extensive tender process, five waste management and recycling providers have been appointed to provide logistics and processing activities across the UK. This approach is designed to ensure maximum resilience across the system and will also allow for infrastructure to be scaled in future.
The appointed companies and the regions they will cover are:
- SUEZ – the North-East, North-West, West-Central and South West regions of England
- CIRQLR – the East Central, South and South East regions of England
- Re.Group – Scotland, working in partnership with Hargreaves Services plc
- Bywaters – London
- Re-Gen – Northern Ireland
The agreements will unlock millions of pounds of investment in the UK’s recycling infrastructure and is expected to create around 700 new jobs. Three dedicated DRS processing facilities in Scotland, Scunthorpe and Guildford, two dedicated DRS processing lines in Isle of Dogs and Newry, and one shared-use plastics recycling facility in Avonmouth will be operational from October 2027.
Expansion will follow with the creation of three new purpose-built processing facilities in Ely in Cambridgeshire, Knowsley in Merseyside, and Avonmouth, which will be operational from October 2030. Around 400 new recycling vehicles are also expected to be mobilised to facilitate the collection of DRS materials from every corner of the UK.
From October 2027, the Deposit Return Scheme will see a 20p deposit applied to all single use PET plastic, aluminium and steel drinks containers between 3L and 150ml. Consumers will then get their deposit back when they take back their drinks containers to a return point.
Russell Davies, Exchange for Change Chief Executive, said: “The Deposit Return Scheme will transform how the UK recycles. This is not only about preventing waste from polluting our towns, countryside, rivers and beaches, but also about investing for the long-term in new environmental infrastructure, jobs and opportunities across the UK.
“Confirming our logistics and processing partners is another significant milestone in our preparations for the scheme going live from October 2027, and it is exciting to see investment in assets and facilities moving ahead, which will also generate hundreds of jobs across the UK.
“Together the five waste management companies will create a resilient and scalable collections network that will ensure efficient collection and processing of DRS materials. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver this crucial element of the deposit return scheme when it goes live in October 2027.”
Exchange For Change’s logistics and processing partners will be responsible for collecting the returned bottles and cans from return points and processing them so that the material can be recycled into new drinks containers. It is estimated that every year, more than 6.5 billion cans and bottles in the UK end up as waste rather than being recycled, whereas the average return rate in European countries with a DRS is 90 per cent.
John Scanlon, Executive Vice President in the UK for SUEZ, said: “SUEZ has long been an advocate for a more resource efficient UK economy and the deposit return scheme is a key delivery mechanism for this, collecting high-quality materials to boost domestic recycling. I’m delighted Exchange For Change has entrusted SUEZ to deliver this groundbreaking service in four of its ten regions and look forward to working together to drive circularity, support domestic resource security and promote regional prosperity through the creation of local, green collar jobs.”
David Palmer-Jones OBE, CEO of CIRQLR said: “CIRQLR is delighted to have been chosen as a main supplier of Exchange for Change in the delivery of the UK’s new beverage deposit return scheme (DRS). This DRS scheme will offer a generational step change in the drive towards greater circularity. Together with shoppers, retailers, and drinks manufacturers CIRQLR will work so that plastic bottles and metal cans can be collected and recycled, giving them a second life.”
Re.Group Managing Director David Singh said: " "Re.Group is thrilled to be working with Exchange For Change to help deliver the UK DRS. Having delivered DRS services at scale in Australia, we have seen first-hand the positive impact these schemes have on communities and the environment; we are excited to be working with our logistic partners Hargreaves Services plc and with Exchange For Change to deliver great outcomes for the people of Scotland.”
Bywaters Manager Director John P. Glover said: “We are extremely proud and excited to be part of the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme, providing logistics and processing services in London. This project is a perfect fit for Bywaters, bringing together our central location, reputation for quality, attention to detail and ability to deliver bespoke solutions. As we look forward to our 75th anniversary next year, this contract represents an exciting opportunity while creating something revolutionary for the future.”
Re-Gen CEO Joseph Doherty said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Exchange for Change as Northern Ireland's collection and processing partner for the Deposit Return Scheme. This represents a major milestone for Re-Gen and an important step in creating the infrastructure required to deliver a successful DRS across the region.
"We look forward to working closely with retailers, Exchange For Change and stakeholders across the supply chain to ensure the Deposit Return Scheme delivers lasting environmental and economic benefits for Northern Ireland.”