Wales has taken a major step towards launching its own Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), with the Welsh government confirming that applications to become the country’s Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) will open today (28 November).
Deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs Huw Irranca-Davies said the appointment process, running until 23 January 2026, will give the successful DMO maximum time to prepare ahead of implementation. Regulations are due to be laid before the Senedd in February, with a final appointment expected from March 2026, mirroring the timeline adopted for England’s DMO.
The announcement follows extensive consultation with retailers, producers, recycling bodies, local authorities and environmental groups. Irranca-Davies said industry had consistently called for two key elements: aligning implementation dates across the UK, and adopting a phased approach to both glass and reuse due to differences in scheme scope created under the previous UK Government.
“We have made adaptations to the scheme that will both ensure we can bring forward a DRS that delivers clear benefit to Wales,” he said, “while also taking a pragmatic, phased approach on glass and reuse to ensure interoperability within the UK.”
He reiterated that reuse will be central to the Welsh scheme, describing it as both an environmental and economic opportunity capable of lowering costs for producers, creating new green jobs and strengthening supply chains. A public consultation on the phased introduction of reuse closed earlier this month, with responses now being assessed.
The Welsh government has also pushed for legal clarity, formally requesting an exclusion under the UK Internal Market Act to ensure its DRS – fully within devolved competence – is not undermined by cross-border trading rules. Without this exclusion, he warned, a Welsh DRS would not be deliverable, triggering the need for equivalent exclusions in other nations.
England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are currently working towards a joint DRS launch for plastic, aluminium and steel containers in October 2027, with the new UK Deposit Management Organisation (UKDMO) appointed earlier this year.
‘Focus now must shift to implementation’
Responding to the Welsh announcement, Travis Way, managing director at EcoVend by Reconomy, welcomed the “encouraging step forward”.
“Securing the right DMO will be critical – the organisation chosen will set the tone for how efficiently, transparently and effectively the scheme operates from day one,” he said.
Way emphasised the need to move quickly from planning to practical delivery. Reverse vending machines (RVMs) will be a central part of the scheme’s infrastructure, enabling retailers and consumers to return eligible containers easily.
“At EcoVend, we are already working with major retailers, convenience stores, leisure operators, businesses and local authorities across Wales to prepare for this transition with scalable, high-performance technology designed for busy, public-facing environments,” he said.
He urged businesses to act early: “Those who plan and invest now will be best placed to meet forthcoming requirements, improve recycling outcomes and demonstrate genuine environmental leadership as the scheme takes shape.”