Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
About
If implemented well, Deposit Return Schemes can be hugely beneficial and effective in siginificantly reducing plastic production / pollution.
The UK government agreed to implement a DRS in 2018. Public consultation happened in 2019. We are now told that it is delayed until October 2025 at the earliest. Concerns are that:
- Whether a scheme will be launched.
- About the timescale for implementation.
- That the proposals are not comprhensive, meaning that certain bottle sizes and materials would be excluded from the scheme. Glass, for instance.
- About the continue use of plastic bottles. Plastic pollution and associated health problems occur throughout plastic's 'life'. See our resource, The Life of a Plastic Bottle.
The implementation of a DRS is vital to its effectiveness in reducing plastic and other pollution. This article, criticising the German Pfand System, demonstrates the point.
Correspondence
We wrote to local MPs to make the social, environmental, and economical case for zero waste. The correspondence with Robert Buckland includes details on the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).:
19th May 2021
Hi Robert,
In our phone conversation on the 5th March 2021, you agreed to provide details of the current state of the UK DRS. We are still waiting for details. Can you provide them please?
Yours sincerely,
Ben Bell, Plastic Free Swindon co-ordinator.
19th May 2021
Dear Ben,
Many thanks for getting back in touch.
As I mentioned in a previous email, I have written to DEFRA about the Deposit Return Scheme and I asked them to provide me with a substantive response.
I have not yet received this response, so please be assured that I will chase them again today.
Yours sincerely,
Robert Buckland MP.
19th May 2021
Okay, thanks Robert. I will await your response.
Ben Bell, Plastic Free Swindon co-ordinator.
9th June 2021
Hi Robert,
It's been 3 more weeks since our last correspondence on the Deposit Return Scheme. Any response from DEFRA?
Ben Bell, Plastic Free Swindon co-ordinator.
14th June 2021
Dear Ben,
Frustratingly we still have not received a substantive response from DEFRA on the ‘Deposit Return Scheme’ – I will of course chase this again for you.
In the meantime, MPs have been provided with the below brief on the scheme, which you may find informative:
”The Government remains committed to developing a deposit return scheme in England for single use drinks containers to incentives people to recycle plastic and glass. These schemes see consumers pay an up-front deposit that is redeemed on return of the empty drink container. A second consultation has now been carried out which builds on the first and offered a chance to explore further what the continued appetite is for a deposit return scheme in a ‘post-Covid’ context. This second consultation will also inform how a future scheme can be designed in the best and most coherent way possible to deliver on the objectives set out for introducing such a policy. The timelines have been reviewed to ensure sufficient time is allowed for the roll out of a complex policy, and Ministers therefore propose to implement the scheme in 2024”.
Yours,
Robert Buckland MP.
14th June 2021
Hi Robert,
Thanks for letting us know about the response from DEFRA and for the statement on the scheme. Concerns are that the DRS will not be comprehensive, with certain bottle sizes and materials not included. Such a limited scheme would continue to enable plastic pollution and the waste of materials such as glass.
We'll await your response from DEFRA on our queries.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Bell, Plastic Free Swindon co-ordinator.
Awaiting response...