Welsh Government outlines next steps on Deposit Return Scheme - comment from Reconomy

Laura Harrison, Head of Deposit Return Scheme in Wales, has outlined all the steps the Welsh Government are taking over the next 12-18 months on their Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). 

Commenting on this development, David Gudgeon, Head of External Affairs at Reconomy brand, Reconomy Connect said:

This is a welcome clarification from the Welsh government on next steps following their decision not to join a UK-wide DRS scheme and will hopefully bring it closer to fruition. Once implemented, this scheme should significantly reduce littering, plastic pollution and carbon emissions while also creating jobs and generating investment.

In Ireland, where the DRS scheme has been in effect since February 2024, over 630 million containers were returned in the first eight months alone. As societies continue to consume resources faster than they can be replenished, it is more important than ever to have systems like this up and running – ensuring valuable, finite materials remain in circulation and advancing the circular economy.