Scotland - Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)

Scotland was the first part of the UK to announce that is was planning to bring forward a deposit return scheme. 

Following the closure of their public consultation on a Deposit Return Scheme the Scottish government have published their analysis of the responses and confirmed their intention to move forward with the Policy.    

The Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, recently made the following statement:

“There is a global climate emergency and people across Scotland have been calling, rightly, for more ambition to tackle it and safeguard our planet for future generations. I am therefore delighted to confirm that I intend to implement a system covering PET – the most common form of plastic packaging – aluminium and steel cans, and glass, with a deposit refund set at 20p.”

The following materials are covered by the scheme:

• PET plastic bottles (like most fizzy drinks and water bottles)
• Steel and aluminium can
• Glass bottles

All types of drinks in these containers and all containers above 50 ml (items such as whisky miniatures are 50ml) and up to 3 litres (such as a beer keg) in size are included.

Businesses that sell drinks to be opened and consumed on-site, such as pubs and restaurants, will not have to charge the deposit to the public and will only be required to return the containers they sell on their own premises.

There will also be the opportunity to comment on the proposed approach when draft legislation is published later this year.