In the final part of our series on delivering DRS, industry experts walk retailers and suppliers through everything they need to do now to hit the ground running when the scheme goes live in October 2027.
In the third and final part of our series on delivering DRS, industry experts will provide a comprehensive guide to the steps retailers and their suppliers need to be taking today to ensure they hit the ground running a year from now.
They will also be on hand to answer your burning questions on DRS and what it means for your business.
Exchange for Change has been busy over recent months sharing details of how the scheme will operate in practice across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The webinar will bring together all the key information in one place, enabling businesses to plan their strategy for delivering a successful DRS rollout.
What we’ll cover:
- How to register as a return point operator
- How to apply a refundable deposit to in-scope containers
- How to register and how to apply for a grant
- What to consider when making major infrastructure decisions
Tips will be shared too on the steps retailers should be taking now to ensure they are in the best possible position to benefit from the commercial opportunities presented by DRS, including how to effectively engage employees at an early stage and how to successfully communicate the scheme’s introduction to consumers.
A year may seem a long time in grocery but such a seismic shift in how the industry manages drinks packaging cannot be delivered overnight. Research from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has found 70% of shoppers are more likely to buy from a brand that makes DRS easier or clearer for them.
Those businesses that prepare effectively for DRS now will be best placed to grow footfall and drive incremental sales when the long-awaited scheme finally goes live in October 2027.
Register here and join us on 30th September
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.
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.
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.
