25 Apr. 2024: The UK government (Defra), Welsh Government, Scottish Government and DAERA (Northern Ireland) have agreed the revised timeline:
Phase 1: Regulation and Deposit Management Organisation(s) (DMO) appointment – by Spring 2025 – Regulations in place in all administrations, and DMO(s) appointed.
Phase 2: Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) set-up – Spring 2025 to Spring 2026 – this phase allows time to establish the DMO(s) as an organisation that is capable of running DRS on behalf of industry in each administration and providing businesses with the information needed to prepare for DRS launch.
This will include:
– Securing funding and appointing key delivery partners
– Appointing CEO, leadership team and staff
– Procuring IT and logistics or collection partners
– Designing and publishing decisions on key operational areas, including deposit level, labelling, proposed producer fees, approach to cutover, and RVM specifications
– Developing a delivery plan and operational blueprint for obligated businesses
Phase 3: Roll out – Spring 2026 to Autumn 2027 – This phase allows time for businesses to make the changes required for DRS.
It includes:
– The DMO(s) establishing the necessary national collection infrastructure, including counting and sorting centres, equipment and collection vehicles, recruiting staff and planning logistics routes
– The DMO(s) setting up the necessary digital and IT infrastructure for the registration and reporting of over 20 billion containers
– Retailer activity to make decisions on return point locations and design, procurement and installation of reverse vending machines (including securing planning permissions and reconfigure stores), and training staff,
– Producer activity to develop labelling and artwork; make preparations for collecting data; make changes to invoicing systems
– System-wide testing and readiness support
– Commencement of consumer engagement campaigns
October 2027: DRS launch
Deposit Return Schemes across the UK are operational. Deposits are applied to in scope drinks containers, which can be redeemed upon return of the container for recycling.
Post Implementation Review
Deposit Return Schemes will be reviewed once they have been operational for enough time to allow data to be available. This review will consider the effectiveness, costs and benefits of the deposit return scheme, including progress towards the environmental objectives.
Waqas Qureshi, www.packagingnews.co.uk/news