Labour confirms DRS is to be brought forward

Circular Economy minister, Mary Creagh, confirmed yesterday: “This government is committed to creating a roadmap to a zero-waste economy – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer, waste is reduced, we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs; our economy prospers, and nature thrives.

“We are reviewing the suite of packaging reforms and are going to work with our devolved government counterparts, industry and other stakeholders to determine the next steps for the DRS. I would be happy to update the House in due course.”

When the previous Conservative government announced its 2027 start date for DRS, the news was met with somewhat of a backlash. Many campaign groups, as well as food and beverage manufacturers, urged the government to proceed with DRS sooner.

‘Getting off on the right foot’

City to Sea CEO Jane Martin said of the recent news: “A deposit return scheme for drink containers is a proven next step to help create Labour’s promised circular economy. Abroad, countries such as Germany have enjoyed successful return rates of over 90%.

“The fast implementation of a DRS is a big call from a government whose manifesto was strangely lacking in environmental commitments, and it has far-reaching effects. But to work properly it must encompass all drinks containers, whether made from plastic, aluminium or glass and it should be seen as the first step toward truly reusable packaging.

“We are pleased to see Labour getting off on the right foot with a plan for a fast and comprehensive rollout ahead of the planned 2027 schedule but, as ever, the devil is in the detail.”

Jim Bligh, director of corporate affairs and packaging, The Food and Drink Federation said: “It’s good to see the Government committing to putting a Deposit Return Scheme in place as part of plans for a circular economy.  This means that drinks containers will be able to be recycled and used again more efficiently and easily, which is good news for the environment, companies and consumers.

“It’s critical that the UK’s governments now work closely together to ensure the scheme is easy to use and understand, operating under the same rules and with the same labels across the four nations. A consistent, UK-wide approach is the best way to ensure value for money and to drive up the UK’s disappointing recycling rates.”