As we are now less than 18 months away from the launch of the Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) across the UK, ACS is reminding retailers to make use of its new DRS Guide, created to help convenience stores understand what the upcoming changes will mean for their operations.

From October 2027, all retailers who sell soft drinks in single use plastic and metal containers will be obligated to charge a deposit on each container at the point of purchase. These deposits will then be refunded when customers bring their containers back to a return point, thousands of which will be hosted in convenience stores. In Wales, glass will be included in the scheme but there will be no deposit charged on glass containers until 2031.

The guide sets out clear, practical information on how DRS will work, what obligations retailers may have if they choose to act as return points, and the operational considerations stores should begin planning for now. 

The guide will be regularly updated ahead of the introduction of the scheme as more details are made available by Exchange for Change. 

To sign up to a mailing list for updates on DRS, email Aishwari with your details.

The full Deposit Return Scheme guide is available here: https://www.acs.org.uk/advice/deposit-return-scheme-guide-retailers