Retailers have just 18 months to prepare for the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme – and the clock is ticking. Join industry experts to learn from Ireland’s DRS rollout as they tackle the practical challenges facing c-stores, from choosing the right reverse vending machine to turning DRS into a customer loyalty opportunity.
With just 18 months to go until the UK’s long-awaited Deposit Return Scheme goes live, businesses need to start preparing for a significant shift in how the industry manages drinks packaging.
After covering the basics in our first webinar, it’s clear that the impact will be felt more acutely in convenience stores where space constraints can make the task of hosting a return point for drinks bottles uniquely challenging.
Retailers will need to make big decisions around the type of reverse vending machine they choose and how they apply the deposit, store bottles and facilitate collections.
Yet DRS also presents a chance for convenience retailers to cement their position at the heart of their community by providing a high quality service that can help build customer relationships and drive loyalty.
Informed by learnings from Ireland’s rollout of its own DRS, industry experts from Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners, Tomra, Exchange for Change and convenience retailer Costcutter, sharing its hands‑on experience from the rollout, will provide a comprehensive guide to how convenience retailers – from independent retailers and franchise store owners to c‑stores operated by major supermarkets – can navigate the specific challenges of DRS for the sector, while embracing the opportunity to deliver an exceptional customer experience.
As always you’ll also get the chance to put your own questions to our panel.
Register here to join us on 29 April 2026.
Meet the panel:
Rebecca Oliver-Mooney, director at Exchange for Change, strategy & insights director at Hip Pop
Rebecca (or ROM as she is more widely known) has spent almost 25 years in FMCG. Prior to her most recent role at Hip Pop as Strategy & Insights Director, ROM spent more than five years in convenience retail and wholesale at the Co-op. She is passionate about retail and is an advocate for inclusive customer-first transformation.
This led to her launching the Apiary at the Co-op, an 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.
Sondre Henningsgård, UK managing director, TOMRA
Sondre Henningsgård is Managing Director of TOMRA Collection UK, leading TOMRA’s engagement with retailers and key stakeholders as the UK prepares to launch its deposit return scheme (DRS). He brings extensive experience in DRS system design and commercial business models, gained through work across several European markets at TOMRA.
In his role, Sondre works closely with UK retailers to help ensure the DRS is implemented in a way that is operationally efficient, scalable and customer‑friendly.
Samantha Walker, DRS project lead, CCEP
Samantha is a senior leader, with over 25 years of FMCG experience. She has built her career across a wide range of commercial functions including sales, strategy, category development, and marketing, in both the UK and Sweden. She’s known for bringing people together, navigating complexity and leading teams through meaningful change.
She currently leads the Deposit Return Scheme implementation for Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners in GB, working with specialists from across the business to ensure a seamless transition. Samantha has led other major shifts, including Sweden’s full transition to 100% rPET – a project that set the standard for the wider organisation.
Aaron Massey, Costcutter owner, Windy Arbour, Dublin
Aaron Massey is the owner of the award-winning Costcutter Windy Arbour in Dublin. Having grown up working in a family business, he developed a passion for retail from a young age and progressed to store manager early in his career.
Aaron purchased his first Costcutter store in 2006 and, more recently, has embraced Ireland’s deposit return scheme, with Costcutter Windy Arbour becoming a key local return point.
He brings practical, first‑hand insight into how deposit return works on the shop floor and what running a successful return point means for convenience retailers and their customers.
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.
