Customers will be able to get money back on bottles and cans under new government rules to reduce waste.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has outlined its new Deposit Return Scheme for cans and bottles, aimed at halting the "stop the avalanche of rubbish that is filling up our high streets, countryside, and oceans".
The rules, which begin next year, state: "Everyone in the drinks supply chain must charge the deposit to their buyers when they sell filled drinks containers included in the scheme. This includes drink producers, importers, wholesalers and retailers."
All retailers selling drinks included in the scheme must:
- pay the deposit to producers or wholesalers when purchasing the drinks
- charge the deposit to consumers at the point of sale
Where can I get money back for my bottles and cans?
"Supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores and newsagents that sell drinks in the scheme must host a return point for drinks containers, unless they qualify for an exemption," say the guidelines.
"The return point can be manual or automated using a reverse vending machine."
Other types of organisations that sell drinks can apply to host a voluntary return point. Examples include:
- hospitality venues
- food-to-go stores
- schools, gyms, sports or community centres
- mobile caterers
- businesses with vending machines
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Drinks containers included in the scheme
The deposit will apply to all single-use drinks containers that:
- are made wholly or mainly from aluminium or steel, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic
- have a capacity of between 150 millilitres and 3 litres
- are likely to be used only once or for a short period of time
Containers with a lid made from other materials are still included.
The deposit will not apply to containers if they are:
- not single use
- made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) – this is the material used to make milk bottles, for example
The rules are due to come in by October 2027.
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