Press Release
For immediate release

CIWM Shares Position Statement on Deposit Return Scheme

Reacting to the news that after the UK Government granted an exemption to the Internal Market Act, Wales has confirmed it will collect glass as part of its Deposit Return Scheme, Dan Cooke, CIWM’s Director of Policy, Communications, and External Affairs, says a UK-wide DRS is preferable from the perspective of the wider public, retailers and most in the recycling and waste sector.

"We acknowledge Wales comes from a different starting point than other UK nations, and applaud their vision for not only higher recycling rates but the phasing in of reuse at the end of the four-year transition period from 2031.

However, the inclusion of glass containers in Wales will likely cause complexity for the initial operation of the scheme, and potential confusion with users.  We welcome the UK Government agreeing to the proposal from Welsh Government to establish a joint taskforce on implementation under the Resources and Waste Common Framework, including the devolved governments and the relevant deposit management organisations, in order to oversee interoperability and support the smooth implementation of DRS across the UK.

Whilst we also note and applaud UK Government’s ongoing commitment to the implementation of recycling and waste reforms as bedrock requirements of a more resource-efficient and circular economy, it remains our view that DRS, as an anti-litter measure with knock-on recycling market implications, should have been deferred until more significant changes, namely EPR and Simpler Recycling (in England), have ‘bedded-in’, and when the viability of digital DRS options are better understood. CIWM and its members will nonetheless continue to support its smooth implementation."

ENDS

Press contact:
Kacie Foskett, Brand Marketing & Communications Manager
T: +44 (0) 1604 620426
E: kacie.foskett@ciwm.co.uk