The launch of a Deposit Return Scheme in October 2027 represents a seismic shift in how we manage drinks packaging across the UK. Join the first in our three-part webinar series, where industry experts will spell out exactly how suppliers and retailers should be gearing up for DRS now so they don’t get left behind.
A UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been long in the making and will finally go live less than two years from now. The aim is to boost recycling rates and promote a circular economy. England and Northern Ireland are running a unified scheme with which Scotland plans to align, while Wales continues to develop its own approach.
From 1 October 2027, shoppers will pay a deposit for certain single-use drink containers, which they can claim back when they return the bottles to stores.
Businesses across the entire drinks supply chain – from suppliers and importers to wholesalers and retailers – will have to get to grips with a raft of new responsibilities, including registering for the scheme, applying the deposit and paying it back to customers.
Supermarkets, convenience stores and newsagents will also need to host return points and store containers for collection.
It all adds up to the biggest change in UK packaging policy for decades.
So how prepared are businesses for this transformation in the way drinks packaging is managed? And how can they put themselves in the strongest possible position to meet the new requirements?
In the first in our series of three webinars designed to guide the industry through the delivery of DRS, industry leaders and packaging experts from the UK’s newly appointed Deposit Management Organisation, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Tomra and [INSERT RETAILER] will share insights on what businesses need to be doing now to prepare for the go-live date.
They will provide a comprehensive guide to DRS, including what it is, who it will affect, and how it will work in practice. And they will highlight the key pieces of information and guidance on which the industry is still awaiting clarity.
Plus, you’ll get the chance to put your questions to our panel.
Register here to join the webinar on Wednesday 12th November.
Meet the panel:
Rebecca Oliver-Mooney, board director, UK DMO, (representing convenience retail), director of commercial, Co-Op
Rebecca (or ROM as she is more widely known) has spent almost 25 years in FMCG, and the last five in convenience retail and wholesale with the Co-op. She’s passionate about retail and is an advocate for inclusive customer-first transformation. This led to her launching the Apiary, Co-op’s incubator and accelerator programme, designed to nurture underrepresented founders building purpose-led businesses. In 2024, ROM founded Raising the Glass – an industry initiative with a vision to create meaningful connections that drive inclusivity for women and allies in the drinks industry. Through a commitment to empowerment and collaboration, she aims to build a future where everyone feels valued, respected and supported in their journey within the drinks industry.
Sam Jones, director, sustainability and policy at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Great Britain
Sam has 15 years of experience creating, driving and leading sustainability programmes. He joined Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in 2021 to lead on climate and sustainability in GB, having previously worked for the FTSE 100-listed DS Smith where he established its industry-leading ‘Now and Next’ sustainability strategy.
Since joining, he has been instrumental in the introduction of attached caps to CCEP products and has spearheaded many industry-leading projects. Recognising the need to align internal efforts on sustainability with public advocacy, Sam’s role has evolved to take on more responsibility for CCEP GB’s public affairs activities, with an immediate focus on an interoperable GB Deposit Return Scheme. Sam has a background in Geography and is currently studying for an MSt in Sustainability Leadership with the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership.
Truls Haug, head of new markets, Tomra Collection EMEA
Truls Haug is an experienced country manager with nearly 25 years at Tomra, bringing deep expertise in retail and technology solutions. He is an expert in reverse vending, with extensive experience of deposit return schemes around the world, including established markets such as Norway, Lithuania and Germany. In his current role he is responsible for overseeing new deposit return scheme (DRS) markets for Tomra, and was instrumental in the start-up of Tomra’s operations in Australia and Ireland. His current focus is now on the upcoming deposit return scheme in the UK.
Nick Hughes, moderator
Nick is an experienced freelance writer, editor and moderator specialising in food and environmental affairs. He writes articles for leading industry publications, including The Grocer, Retail Week and Footprint, and has worked as a policy adviser for DEFRA and WWF.
