Vending

UK announces deposit scheme for recycling beverage containers

Image provided by iStock.

January 23, 2023

The United Kingdom government has announced a plan to require consumers to make cash deposits on single-use beverage containers and return them at reverse vending machines to receive their cash back, according to a press release.

The plan, covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland, will be introduced in 2025, following work with industry to prepare for the necessary changes — including setting up infrastructure and amending labelling. The plan aims to ensure 85% fewer drinks containers are discarded as litter after three years of its launch.

"We want to support people who want to do the right thing to help stop damaging plastics polluting our green spaces or floating in our oceans and rivers," Rebecca Pow, environment minister, said in the press release. "That is why we are moving ahead using our powers from our landmark Environment Act to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers. This will provide a simple and effective system across the country that helps people reduce litter and recycle more easily, even when on the move."

The plan is supported by Coca-Cola in Great Britain & Ireland and by the British Soft Drink Association, according to statements by Dusan Sojankic, VP of operations at Coca-Cola, and Gavin Partington, director general at the BSDA, in the press release.