The UK government has signed off on Wales' request to allow glass to be part of the country's own deposit return scheme (DRS).
The planned DRS models for each of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland cover PET plastic bottles and steel and aluminium drinks cans but do not include glass.
Wales decided to exit the UK-wide DRS in November 2024 as it looked to create a scheme that enabled all drinks containers to be reused, including glass.
In July, the Welsh government announced plans to launch a DRS in line with the rest of the UK but said glass would remain a part of its scheme.
Wales Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies described the UK's approval as “a major milestone on our journey towards ending throwaway culture and creating a more circular economy”.
Under the proposals, Wales’ scheme will include PET plastic bottles, aluminium and steel cans and single-use glass bottles from the outset.
Subject to the approval of the Welsh legislature, the DRS is due to start on 1 October 2027, aligning with the planned launches across the rest of the UK.
The regulations set the scope at containers ranging from 150ml to three litres.
While glass would be collected from day one, the rules introduce a four-year transition period. During this phase, glass containers would be exempt from labelling requirements and would carry a zero-pence deposit, allowing time for industry to adapt before full deposits are introduced.
The UK government has also agreed to a Welsh proposal to set up a joint implementation taskforce. It would include the devolved governments and the relevant deposit management organisations, with a focus on interoperability and the smooth delivery of the schemes across the UK.
Andy Bagnall, the director general of trade body The British Soft Drinks Association, said the UK's approval for Wales' DRS was “a big step forward in establishing a UK-wide deposit return scheme, enabling a unified approach for aluminium cans and plastic bottles, although granting an exclusion for single-use glass means challenges remain".
He urged the Welsh government to “rapidly” appoint a scheme administrator and ensure glass is incorporated “in the most practical way possible”.
Bagnall also said cross-border issues needed to be resolved. “The Welsh government must also engage with industry to resolve the issues inherent in different schemes for glass on either side of the border – including the risk of substantial fraud.”
