Every year, approximately 6.5 billion single-use plastic drinks bottles and cans go to waste instead of being recycled, with more than 40 % littered on streets or in the countryside. From 1 October 2027, the UK will have its own Deposit Return Scheme( DRS) for single-use drink containers. Consumers will pay a deposit for certain beverage products, which will be refunded when the packaging is returned to a designated return point.

This change means that the government, companies, consumers and waste management infrastructure will have to work together to fuel the transition to a more circular economy.

In general, a DRS encourages consumers to recycle packaging by offering a financial incentive for consumers to return the products.

“We’ re asking most of the public to undo behaviours that have been learnt over 20 years”

Dr Adam Read MBE Chief Sustainability Officer SUEZ UK sustainabilitymag. com 97