TOMRA Collection’s Post

This week marked a historic milestone on the path to a #DepositReturnScheme (DRS) for England and Northern Ireland. ♻👇 The regulations for the DRS for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland were officially approved by the House of Lords on Monday, and successfully passed through the House of Commons yesterday. The DRS is set to launch in October 2027. 📆 Every year, 6.7 billion bottles and cans go unrecycled in the UK, with drink containers making up 95% of the litter on beaches. 🏖️ Deposit return schemes combat litter, reduce waste, drive recycling and promote a truly circular economy. For more information about deposit return schemes and the technology that powers them, get in touch with the TOMRA team 👉 https://lnkd.in/dVQfjxBs.

[From the Industry] The UK Government, led by Robbie Moore, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Water and Rural Growth, has today (25 April) announced a revised timeline for the launch of a nationwide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) by October 2027. This scheme, which is being positioned as a pivotal move in promoting recycling and reducing litter, involves placing a redeemable deposit on single-use drinks containers, refundable upon their return. Originally targeted for a 2025 launch, the revised 2027 deadline comes after extensive consultations by Defra and collaborative efforts with the Northern Ireland Executive, Welsh Government, and the Scottish Government. The collaborative framework aims for interoperability across the UK to ensure seamless operation and support from various sectors. Moore highlighted what Defra terms “the global success” of DRS initiatives, noting that nearly 60 schemes would be operational worldwide by 2024. The UK’s scheme aims to enhance recycling rates, lessen environmental litter, and transition towards a circular economy. #sustainability #circulareconomy #environmentalresponsibility #uk

Navigating New Recycling Policies: A Breath of Relief for Welsh Businesses 🍃💼 A formidable step from the Welsh Government shines a ray of hope for local businesses wrestling with the complexities of new recycling regulations. The recent announcement of a grace period up to April 2025 offers a crucial lifeline, allowing enterprises to adapt without the looming threat of fines or prosecution that was causing many sleepless nights. For small businesses in particular, this reprieve means valuable time to source reliable waste operators amidst an already challenging economic landscape. I applaud the sensitivity and support demonstrated in recognising the pressures these businesses face. This isn't just about facilitating compliance; it's about fostering a constructive environment where businesses can truly thrive whilst contributing to Wales's green aspirations. As we move forward, it's vital to utilise this period effectively. Businesses should seek to fully understand the requirements, and proactively engage with resources made available by the likes of Natural Resource Wales. The emphasis on advice and guidance before enforcement is a commendable approach to regulation, balancing the need for progress with the practicalities of day-to-day operations. Let's also not forget the opportunity to network and gain insights at the upcoming LARAC Wales Conference in Cardiff. It's events like these where collaboration and knowledge sharing can translate into innovative solutions for recycling and waste management challenges. Together, we can tread a path of sustainable growth that honours both our environmental responsibilities and commercial ambitions. Welsh businesses, you're not alone on this journey—the support is there, and your adaptability and resilience are the keys to unlocking a greener, more prosperous future. #SustainableWales #BusinessSupport #RecyclingRegulations🏴

Evidence of an urgent need for a Deposit Return Scheme in Wales is piling up – and visibly so. New research showed that drinks waste makes up a huge 46% of Welsh street litter. No wonder that campaigners are getting a little riled up at the prospect of any aligned UK DRS scheme sliding away. Just last week, the Government confirmed that the new target date is set at October 2027, as it had hinted in the past few weeks. Our latest article explains just why this is so annoying to certain people. Especially campaigners in Wales, which has been generally way ahead of the rest of the UK in its pursuit of Zero Waste and a circular economy. Of course, the fact that DRS in Wales, Scotland, or England are now further off should definitely not be an excuse to pause preparation. It is at least clear now that glass will be excluded from the aligned scheme... DRS already exists or is coming in in so many international markets, including Ireland recently. Each brings its own artwork and labelling management challenge, as well as returns logistics. Beverage brands facing a changing environment must recognise the importance of aligned artwork and packaging management processes and centralised data and specification management – or they will struggle every time a new DRS scheme goes live. Read more here https://loom.ly/i8iT_Eg #drs #depositreturn #packaging #regulation #zerowaste #circulareconomy #wales #cymru #sustainability

🆕 This week, the UK Parliament will debate regulations for implementing a Deposit Return Scheme. The journey towards a deposit system in the UK has been long. Since the initial announcement in March 2018, repeated delays have allowed millions of bottles and cans to pollute our environment. Keep Britain Tidy has emphasised that UK retailers have had ample time to prepare for implementing a deposit return system. 👇 🔍 The latest Reloop briefing note highlights that modern deposit return programmes are essential for: 🌳 Reducing litter ♻️ Minimising waste 🌍 Cutting carbon emissions Read the full briefing: https://lnkd.in/eVuqzcUN

The UK wide #DepositReturnScheme has experienced several delays over the past few years, so the commitment made by all 4 devolved nations to implement a uniform scheme in October 2027 was welcomed. This week we've seen Welsh deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies announce that Wales will not proceed with the joint process for the development of a unified deposit return scheme in the UK. He stated that the decision was made due to issues "caused by the United Kingdom Internal Markets Act 2020". This is the same issue that Scotland came up against when they tried to implement DRS in 2022. The sticking point and hot topic of discussion is Glass Bottles where there is a cornucopia of great arguments for and against the material being in-scope. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural affairs (DAERA) have both released statements announcing their continued commitment to delivering DRS for the rest of the UK in October 2027. Going further, they have also stated their intention to lay regulations for England and Northern Ireland before the end of this month (when parliamentary time allows). Reflecting on the announcements, Dave Gudgeon (MCIWM, CRWM), Head of External Affairs, comments, "The news from Wales is disappointing but not unexpected. Wales has made it clear that they're committed to delivering a deposit return scheme that includes glass bottles. Our hope is that the Senedd publishes its own plans very soon, and that the UK can continue to work towards a go-live date of October 1st 2027. We will continue to engage ministers and departments to ensure that we support our customers, supply chain, and consumers in the transition to a truly circular economy." You can read the full statement from the Welsh Government here: https://lnkd.in/eEbUn2Za #DRS #DepositReturnScheme #Recycling #Sustainability #CircularEconomy

Last night (21 January 2025), the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for England and Northern Ireland. This paves the way for the scheme to launch on 1st October 2027, revolutionising how we handle single-use plastic, steel, and aluminium drinks containers. 🗣️ Dave Gudgeon (MCIWM, CRWM), Head of External Affairs at Reconomy brand, Reconomy Connect, hailed the move: "With the world consuming resources faster than they can be replenished, this is a great step forward for the circular economy and keeping precious, finite materials in circulation. This scheme should significantly cut down littering, plastic pollution, and our carbon footprint. It’s predicted to create 21,000 jobs and generate £21bn investment in our economy." Gudgeon also encouraged businesses to prepare early: "For grocery retailers, hospitality, and others acting as return points, it’s an opportunity to drive footfall. Start planning now - identify locations for reverse vending machines or manual collection systems and train your staff." 🌊 As Sandy Luk, CEO of the Marine Conservation Society, put it: "This is a fantastic win for our seas. Last year, 97% of surveyed UK beaches were polluted with bottles and cans. DRS will boost recycling, reduce beach pollution, and protect marine life." The DRS is already making waves in Ireland, with 630 million containers returned in just 8 months since its 2024 launch. 📌 The countdown to 1st October 2027 begins! What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below! #DRS #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #Recycling #UKGovernment Source: https://lnkd.in/euNeyu38

The UK Government has confirmed that they will stick to the previous government's pledge to ban disposable vapes in England and Wales, due to come into effect from 1st June 2025 🙌 The Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive had already announced that they will ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland and Northern Ireland by 1st April 2025. This ban is long overdue. Disposable vapes generate huge amounts of hazardous waste and are almost impossible to recycle. Last year, 42% of our inland litter picks found vapes. As a society, we must move away from single-use products towards a circular economy, one in which refilling and reusing is the norm, rather than throwing away and polluting our environment. We would like to thank our Youth Ocean Network alumni Laura Young for all the work she has done to achieve this win, and we look forward to each country sticking to these deadlines while we continue to monitor and advocate for a reduction in single-use plastics. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dMQskgar

The UK's bottle deposit and return scheme (DRS) will be delayed until October 2027, four years later than planned. All four UK nations have been working together to try and agree a joint approach to the schemes, with public consultations in 2019 and 2021. At first, the Scottish and Welsh governments wanted to include glass in the scheme, in addition to plastic and metal. Both devolved governments have plans for their own deposit return schemes, which would integrate with the national plans. But the UK government disagreed, saying including glass would be too complicated and expensive. The Welsh government still wants glass included in its plans, something the UK government blames for the further delay to the national scheme. It was first announced by then-Environment Secretary Michael Gove in 2018. It was meant to launch in August 2023, before being pushed back to 2024, then 2025, and now 2027. Europe have been running DRS schemes successfully for years so why can't we? #DRS #Recycle #environment #sustainability #education #depositreturnscheme #climatechange #reduce https://lnkd.in/e2b3aNeB

90 percent of people in the UK would use a Deposit Return Scheme. 👏 After repeated delays by the UK government and implementation now scheduled for April 2027, new research has found the public’s support for the scheme is unwavering. Across Europe, we are witnessing the success of Deposit Return Schemes. Denmark, Iceland, and Lithuania are just a few of the countries with over 90 percent collection rates for plastic bottles. 🌊 While the main goal is to prevent plastic at the source, DRS is an effective system to help prevent plastic containers already in use from entering our oceans. Read more on the report here: https://lnkd.in/eCMe-X2t #PlasticPollution #DRS #PlasticWaste