ACS has welcomed confirmation from Exchange for Change that grant support will be offered to small independent retailers that host reverse vending machines under the Deposit Return Scheme.
In details published this week, Deposit Return Scheme administrators Exchange for Change have stated that £60m will be allocated to the provision of grants of £6,000 per site for small independent retailers that are seeking to host a reverse vending machine. This grant will be allocated over a three year period at £2,000 per year.
Further details on the retail handling fee (the amount that retailers receive per container returned) are still being consulted on, with the final fees to be confirmed this summer.
ACS has welcomed the proposals for grants and reiterated its call for the scheme to be cost neutral for retailers, warning that a scheme that costs retailers money will result in more sites seeking exemptions and community access to return points suffering as a result.
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “It is essential that local shops are not penalised for hosting return points, so we welcome the introduction of grants for the smallest retailers and a more proportionate approach to exemptions. Retailers need clarity on the net costs of the scheme to be able to make a decision on how they take part.
“If grants and handling fees are not set at the right level, the scheme risks failing not just the retailers expected to deliver it, but the communities they serve, by undermining convenient access for consumers to recycle containers and redeem deposits.”
Exchange for Change have also shared further detail on the exemption criteria for retailers:
- Stores 100 sqm and less in urban areas will be automatically exempt from hosting a return point, but may apply to host a voluntary return point.
- Stores between 100sqm – 200 sqm may apply for an exemption under the proximity and premises exemptions, on the basis of space limitations. The full criteria is still under review and will be shared in the coming weeks.
ACS has produced a comprehensive guide to the Deposit Return Scheme, which is coming into force across the UK in October 2027, setting out the areas that retailers need to consider when deciding how to be part of the scheme – either seeking an exemption, hosting a manual return point, or hosting a reverse vending machine in store.
The full guide is available here. To keep up to date with future revisions to the guide, email Aishwari.
