Industry reacts to Wales appointment of Exchange for Change

The Welsh government has announced it has appointed industry body Exchange for Change to run its deposit return scheme, in a move supporters hope will boost the chances of the October 2027 UK launch going ahead.

Here is how the industry reacted:

Exchange for Change:

We are pleased to have been appointed as the Deposit Management Organisation for Wales and look forward to working closely with the Welsh government to take the scheme forward.

This is an important milestone that will help deliver an effective and efficient scheme across all four nations of the UK, and give greater clarity and consistency for both industry and consumers.

The deposit return scheme is a transformational opportunity to change how we manage waste in the UK, preventing billions of bottles and cans every year from littering our towns and countryside. Our work to develop the scheme is on track, proceeding at pace and remains focused on ensuring DRS is a success.

Andy Bagnall, director general, British Soft Drinks Association:

The appointment of Exchange for Change in Wales means a single scheme administrator across the United Kingdom – a crucial milestone in delivering a successful deposit return scheme by October 2027 – but there is now no time to lose on implementation.

With little more than a year until go-live, it is welcome that Exchange for Change can work with the Welsh government and stakeholders across the supply chain to establish the conditions for delivering the scheme in Wales in a way that avoids unnecessary cross-border complexity.

However, while preparations are already well advanced for launching the deposit return scheme in October 2027 for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, delivering the scheme in Wales within such a short timeframe means there can be no further delays. Wales’ decision to include glass from day one also creates significant additional operational complexity, and the Welsh government must continue to be realistic about what’s possible in the time.

We look forward to working constructively with Exchange for Change, the Welsh government and partners across the supply chain to address these challenges and deliver a deposit return scheme in Wales that increases recycling, reduces litter, and works for consumers, businesses and the environment.

Miles Beale, chief executive, Wine and Spirit Trade Association:

I am pleased that Exchange for Change, who are already appointed in the rest of the UK, have finally been selected as the DMO in Wales.

With less than 14 months before the scheme starts it is difficult to see how a DRS including glass could be introduced successfully without severely restricting consumer choice and imposing significant costs.

For the scheme to work it is essential for it to be aligned with the rest of the UK, with glass excluded. We want to avoid another DRS disaster as played out in Scotland, which ended in its high-profile collapse and spiralled into legal disputes and administrative insolvency before ever going live.

British Glass spokeswoman: 

British Glass welcomes the Welsh government’s announcement today that Exchange for Change has been appointed as the deposit management organisation for the Welsh deposit return scheme. The appointment is an important step forward in providing greater certainty for businesses preparing for the scheme’s introduction in October 2027.

However, British Glass remains concerned that significant questions remain unanswered regarding the inclusion of glass beverage containers within the Welsh scheme and, together with other organisations, will be seeking urgent clarification from the minister, Llyr Gruffydd.

James Withers, chair, Natural Source Waters Association:

This is really good news. This multimillion-pound scheme is too important to risk delivery being fractured across the UK. DRS may have a simple objective, but it is incredibly complex operationally. The only route to success is for government to listen and work with industry on implementation. The new Welsh administration and minister, Llyr Gruffyd, should be applauded for embracing exactly that approach.