Consultation launched on Deposit Return Scheme for Wales
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, launched a consultation into a Deposit Return Scheme for Wales at the historic Corona Pop Factory site in Porth on 18 August.
The 12-week consultation, which runs until 10 November, will shape the approach to introducing a scheme that includes glass drink containers and prioritizes reuse over traditional recycling methods.
With Wales already having the second highest recycling rate globally, this deposit return scheme builds on that success by supporting the transition to reuse, which delivers significantly greater environmental benefits than recycling alone.
Reuse
International evidence demonstrates that reuse reduces material costs for producers whilst providing clear pathways to decarbonisation.
The consultation examines how glass inclusion can tackle litter, improve ‘on-the-go’ recycling infrastructure, and create economic opportunities through reuse.
In the run up to the consultation there has already been extensive engagement with stakeholders, including a national conference and sector-specific workshops.
The scheme will complement existing environmental policies and support Wales’ journey towards net zero.
Bold
Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “Wales has always led by example on environmental action, and the deposit return scheme represents our next bold step forward.
“Visiting the old Corona Pop Factory, once a hub for reusable glass bottles, was a reminder that we’re not inventing something new – we’re returning to the best of our industrial heritage whilst building a sustainable future.
“By putting reuse at the center of our approach, we’re not just tackling waste – we’re creating a model that other nations can follow. This scheme will drive innovation, create green jobs, and help tackle both the climate and nature crises simultaneously.
“I encourage businesses and all stakeholders to engage with this consultation and help shape a scheme that truly delivers for Wales.”
The consultation closes on 10 November 2025. Full details are available here
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The irony is we once had a deposit based system, where you could return the empties and recover the deposit and the bottles were washed and reused. It was not just in Wales but British Isles wide (including on Pepsi and Coke bottles). This was system destroyed with the demise of the independent community grocery shop. Where family owned shops were replaced by large supermarkets. Trade and the economy became its trend towards monopoly capitalism. The demise of the green groceries caused my grandfather’s market gardening business to collapse with loss of customers for our produce. Since then the economy… Read more »
Putting a low deposit on glass, plastic bottles and tin/aluminium cans will not work. People will not bother to return them for 5, 10 or even 20p. A deposit of £1 is the lowest in my mind to encourage people to return them.
What’s the problem with the down markers? Is it because I said a deposit of a £1? For those of you who don’t understand you get your £1 back when you return the empty bottle or can back to the shop. It’s easy unless you’re too lazy to do it and to help prevent unnecessary litter!!
You get charged a pound when you buy that is much more than the contents of the can
I am not lazy , there is a system in place that is free council trcycling
Beynon’s Dairy milk bottles are £2 deposit a go.
Maybe the buyer won’t return them but I guarantee someone else will if there is a cash incentive involved.
I’ll use a good example of this, back about 15 years ago I went to V Festival where for every pint you bought 10p was added to overall price which should you wish you can claim it back by taking your empty beer cup to a recycle point.
I wasn’t overly fussed with claiming 10p back but I noticed people actively walking through the field picking up all the empties to recycle…genius
Seems to work in a many EU states and they have been at it for some time. Even have an automated system that sort your returns (within reason, glass, plastic etc.), dividend in vouchers or cash or send it to the local charity.
Why are we lagging in the UK is a big question.
If the packaging is so valuable then people may be tempted to return and claim deposit. However I am doubtful that any modest deposit will motivate many people to stop dumping their rubbish in public places. Out and about on Monday morning and horrified to see the amount of plastic, glass and cardboard packaging left on car parks, parkland and other places where the “herd” had visited over the weekend. We’ve got far too many slobs among us who think that dropping empties anywhere is O.K.
To be fair, we’re quite some way behind the rest of Europe on this, so excellent news on some progress.
Imagine a world where we have drinks delivered by electric vehicles in completely reuseuble containers and kids learn the value of earning pocket money by being given an incentive to recycle!…..
Anyone else remember keeping the Corona money in a jar and feeling like a millionaire when it eventually filled??
Although a welcomed return this is nothing new. Personally it was a mistake scrapping this in the first place. As a child used to do this in the late 1970s when I with friends used to search for pop bottles dumped returning them to my local newsagents for 10p. Having large plastic bottles then was unheard of with most pop and milk in glass bottles. And since manufacturers favoured plastic with its increased capacity and profit margins has resulted in the devastation to wildlife and damage to the environment we see now.
I have just returned from Hungary where you pay 50 Forints (10pence) deposit on all plastic bottles with the opportunity to use vouchers when returned in a local shop. It benefits the local shop as well as the environment
Just wants his photo on line.
Deposit return will add to cost and admin.
What is wrong with the system we already have
Council recycling
If it is a consultation where is the paperwork, doubt it is a consultation they have already made up their minds
What is happening with the COVID enquiry when will the criminally incompetent going to be held to account. Time they were made accountable and stopped from living off public money
Please Welsh Government stop fiddling around there is absolutely nothing you can around climate change , you need to concentrate on what you can do to genuinely help your people day to day , it’s fantasy for those who believe in their own self importance.