Deposit Return Scheme Love

Hello. I love deposit return schemes.

What is a deposit return scheme?

Whenever you buy a qualifying item, you will pay a 20p deposit. This deposit will be returned to whomever (does not have to be the purchaser) returns the item to a return point.

Qualifying items are PET, aluminium, and steel drinks containers between 150ml and 3 litres.

You can experience this same information in a different way by taking part in this interactive tutorial.

Why do you love deposit return schemes?

I like wasting less as an individual and as a society. I like it when organisations work together to do something useful. I like the fact that litter can now be worth 20p if you pick it up and put it away. I look forward to seeing cleaner rivers and landscaoes. I hope this can be the start of something big.

A black and white photo of a cool fountain! — These women are filling up reusable water vessels from a public fountain. Whilst most of us in the U.K. are lucky enough to have clean water piped straight into our homes, we would do well to be as mindful as the vessels we use to transport it.

Where can I learn more about deposit return schemes?

Reloop are the global NGO who conduct the most research into deposit return schemes. Their biannual whitepaper is a long but very informative read.
The UK's deposit return scheme is being managed by a not-for-profit called Exchange for Change. Their website details the particulars of the scheme as it will operate in the UK.

How long is it until we get our deposit return scheme?

The U.K.'s deposit return scheme will start (what does that mean in practice?) in October 2027. This means... . I plan to have a party where me and my friends buy and consume a responsible amount of soft drinks and then return the containers at our nearest reverse vending machine (RVM).