DRS Key Principles

  • Any deposit return scheme (DRS) should be ‘all-in’ for PET plastic and metal beverage containers of all sizes up to 3 litres. It should not be limited to ‘on-the-go’ bottles/cans bought and consumed outside the home
  • Glass should not be included for health and safety issues, increased cost and space requirements, and the negative impact on the current recycling process for glass
  • Milk and milk-based drinks should not be included due to hygiene concerns considerations
  • A DRS should cover all retail sectors that sell in-scope products, with the scheme administrator allowed to determine the basis for pragmatic exemptions. The administrator should also determine options for ‘shared’ return points, as well as the ability of other business and locations to 'opt-in' to hosting an additional return points
  • A DRS should be operated and run by industry − those with the obligation to pay for it. Legislation and regulations should require industry to operate a system and place mandatory obligation on all producers and retailers in scope
  • There should be an independent, not-for-profit scheme administrator company responsible for achieving a high return/collection rate
  • The scheme administrator company should be owned jointly by industry operating as a not-for-profit company
  • The board of the scheme administrator company should comprise the relevant trade associations and sector bodies, not individual companies
  • A DRS is a form of extended producer responsibility (PRN), and it is vital that the packaging in scope of DRS is not subject to a double-obligation under the existing PRN system
  • The value of the deposit should be determined by the scheme administrator in order to meet its targets
  • Deposit fees should always be kept separate and visible from the product price, and should not be subject to VAT.