MPs support move for deposit return scheme for England and Northern Ireland in October 2027

In a debate in the House of Commons on 21st January, MPs voted in favour of establishing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland in 2027.

The parliament voted 352 to 75, a majority of 277, in favour of draft Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers Regulations 2024, thereby facilitating the implementation of the scheme in England and Northern Ireland from October 2027.

The Scottish Government is expected to align its DRS to match the one backed by MPs however we will ensure you are kept up to date.

You can watch the full debate in the House of Commons here. You can view how MPs voted here.

The Scottish Government has notified their draft Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland (Amendment) Regulations 2025 to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) which have now been published on the WTO website. These regulations have been drafted to align the Scottish DRS with those being developed in England and Northern Ireland. Accompanying the regulations is an order to enable the designation of the scheme administrator of the DRS in Scotland. 

Applications to become a deposit management organisation (DMO) for the Deposit Return Schemes in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland close on Monday 3 February 2025. The DMO is set to be appointed in April 2025. The scheme will go live in October 2027.