UK Households to Earn Cash for Recycling Bottles and Cans at Supermarkets
A groundbreaking government recycling initiative is set to launch across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in October 2027, allowing households to earn money by returning empty bottles and cans to major supermarkets. The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), confirmed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), aims to significantly reduce litter and plastic waste.
How the Scheme Will Work
Under the new system, people will be financially rewarded for returning used drinks containers to dedicated collection points, with no receipt or proof of purchase required. Return points will primarily be located at major supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, and Sainsbury's, as well as other retailers that sell drinks, including grocery stores, convenience shops, and newsagents.
Returned containers will be recycled, and customers will receive their deposit back via cash, card, or vouchers. Retailers will be legally obligated to refund the deposit, either manually or through reverse vending machines installed in stores.
Scope and Exclusions
The scheme will cover single-use drinks containers ranging from 150ml to three litres made from plastic, steel, and aluminium. Most single-use bottles and cans will be included, even if their lids are made from different materials. However, certain items will be excluded, such as containers for liquid medicines like cough syrup and products like flavour enhancers or drink syrups.
Small retailers in urban areas with less than 100 square metres of retail space will be exempt from hosting a return point, though they can volunteer to participate. Other organisations, including hospitality venues, schools, food-to-go outlets, mobile caterers, gyms, and community centres, will also be able to apply to host voluntary collection points.
Environmental and Economic Impact
The financial incentive is expected to dramatically cut the amount of plastic and metal sent to landfill and reduce litter on streets and in the countryside. Similar schemes already operate in over 50 countries, including Germany, Sweden, and the Republic of Ireland, where they have been credited with increasing recycling rates and reducing litter in public spaces.
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh emphasised the government's commitment to tackling waste and improving recycling rates. She stated, "This Government is determined to clean up our streets and end our throwaway culture. Deposit return schemes have been proven to reduce litter from cans and plastic bottles and to drive up recycling rates, which have flatlined for 15 years. Our packaging reforms will create 25,000 jobs and lead to more than £10bn of investment in recycling over the next decade."
Wales and Future Developments
Wales is developing its own deposit return system, which will operate alongside the schemes in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Defra highlighted that the scheme will place a redeemable deposit on specific drinks containers, claimable when returned to a collection point like a local supermarket, with no need for a receipt.
Defra added, "This simple change will reward people for doing the right thing and recycling their empty drinks containers. Together, we will help turn the tide on plastic waste." The initiative is part of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, published in December, and represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future.
