The UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO), the not-for-profit body established by industry to design and deliver the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, has unveiled its trading name – Exchange for Change.
This announcement marks another important milestone in the delivery of the UK's Deposit Return Scheme, which will go live in October 2027. Exchange for Change reflects the scheme's core purpose: a simple exchange where people return their empty drinks containers to reclaim their deposit, and the wider impact that simple action has in reducing litter and keeping communities clean. It's a straightforward transaction that leads to meaningful environmental change.
As part of this next phase of development, Exchange for Change has unveiled a new brand icon that will appear on all in-scope bottles, cans and return points associated with the Deposit Return Scheme. The icon has been designed to become the single, recognisable identifier of the scheme – making it easy for people to spot participating containers and return locations at a glance. This consistent visual marker will support correct participation at point of return and enable clear, unified messaging across packaging and infrastructure. The icon visually represents the deposit return process and works consistently across the full range of drinks containers covered by the scheme.
"The brand icon is intended to become synonymous with the scheme itself, providing a consistent visual cue that supports participation and helps drive cleaner streets and communities.
“We’re excited to take this next step and will keep working closely with partners across the UK, supporting them in preparing for the launch of the scheme and making sure that together we deliver real change and a scheme that works for everyone.”
At the heart of the initiative is UK DMO, the industry-led body tasked with designing, managing and operating the scheme across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Once implemented, the DRS will introduce a small, refundable deposit on single-use drinks containers, typically plastic bottles and cans, which consumers reclaim when they return the empty packaging for recycling.
Under Exchange for Change, consumers will pay a deposit at the point of purchase and receive it back when the container is returned via a reverse vending machine (RVM) or approved manual return point.
The schemes aim to reduce litter, increase recycling rates and support a circular economy. A deposit level has not yet been set.
All parts of the UK are expected to start operating a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers from 1 October 2027.
UK consumers use around 14 billion plastic drinks bottles and nine billion cans annually. Research by the charity Keep Britain Tidy found that small plastic bottles and non-alcoholic cans make up 43 per cent of litter by volume (PDF). The UK Government expects DRSs to reduce litter and improve recycling.
Commenting on the announcement, Travis Way, Managing Director at EcoVend, the Reverse Vending Machine experts and brand by international circular economy specialists Reconomy, said, “Public engagement will be one of the defining factors in whether the UK’s deposit return scheme succeeds, so giving it a clear, consumer-friendly identity is a significant and welcome step.
"A scheme like DRS only works when consumers, producers and retailers are all aligned, and consistency in naming, branding and messaging will be critical to driving participation at scale.
“There’s no doubt DRS represents a major adjustment - behaviourally for consumers and operationally for producers and retailers - but a joined-up approach that prioritises clarity and simplicity will help make that transition smoother. The commercial opportunities are substantial, and the circular economy benefits are even greater.
“With the October 2027 deadline approaching, 2026 will be the key preparation year for businesses, giving them a narrow but vital window to get systems, infrastructure and communications in place ahead of launch.”