Welsh government today (Aug 20) confirmed the appointment of Exchange for Change as the Deposit Management Organisation for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in Wales.
The Scheme will include plastic (PET), metal and glass drinks containers from day one, but in line with the Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026 a four-year transition period will apply to glass drinks containers, during which glass drinks containers will be exempt from labelling requirements and carry a zero pence deposit.
This marks the next step towards delivering a DRS for Wales, which will collect empty drinks containers to tackle litter, keep communities cleaner, further improve Wales’ recycling and support the transition from recycling to reuse.
The appointment follows a robust process to identify a Deposit Management Organisation which will support the establishment of the scheme and work in partnership with producers, retailers, local authorities and other partners to successfully implement the DRS in Wales.
Llŷr Gruffydd MS, Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, said, "By applying a deposit which is redeemed when drinks containers are returned, the scheme will tackle litter whilst supporting the collection of high-quality recycled materials. In turn, the DRS will help provide a pathway towards the roll-out of reuseable drinks containers in Wales.
"The Welsh Government will work closely with Exchange for Change and delivery partners as they develop the return network, collection and processing infrastructure, producer registration arrangements, and operational systems in readiness for the scheme’s launch in October 2027.
"I look forward to working with Exchange for Change and our delivery partners as we work to establish a DRS that works for Wales, and with those schemes being implemented in the other nations of the UK."
British Soft Drinks Association has welcomed the announcement, saying that "there is now no time to lose on implementation".
British Soft Drinks Association Director General, Andy Bagnall, said: “With little more than a year until go-live, it is welcome that Exchange for Change can work with the Welsh Government and stakeholders across the supply chain to establish the conditions for delivering the scheme in Wales in a way that avoids unnecessary cross-border complexity.
“However, while preparations are already well advanced for launching the Deposit Return Scheme in October 2027 for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, delivering the scheme in Wales within such a short timeframe means there can be no further delays.
"Wales’ decision to include glass from day one also creates significant additional operational complexity, and the Welsh Government must continue to be realistic about what’s possible in the time.
“We look forward to working constructively with Exchange for Change, the Welsh Government and partners across the supply chain to address these challenges and deliver a Deposit Return Scheme in Wales that increases recycling, reduces litter, and works for consumers, businesses and the environment.”