Deposit return schemes reach over 350 million people worldwide
Reloop launches Global Deposit Dashboard tracking global legislation, as the UK prepares for nationwide implementation by 2027.
More than 350 million people worldwide now have access to deposit return schemes (DRS), according to new data released by circular economy non-profit Reloop.
The findings come as part of Reloop's new interactive Global Deposit Dashboard, which tracks the implementation and performance of DRS programs internationally.
The dashboard traces DRS evolution from British Columbia's scheme in 1970, which covered approximately two million people, to the latest updates in 2025. The model reveals that European coverage has reached 185 million people in 2024, up from 165 million in 2023.
It provides detailed information about DRS legislation, regulatory authorities, financing, targets and updates, as well as showing progress based on jurisdiction, beverage type, or material type. The dashboard also offers comparative analysis of each element of DRS regulation, including a scope score to assess how comprehensive coverage is.
The platform, aimed to be a tool for policymakers, industry leaders and researchers, allows users to delve into the individual components of each DRS system, including statistics on return rates, minimum amounts, collection models, number of collection points, and system financing.
The table below shows the top return rates from deposit return schemes across the globe.
| Jurisdiction | Collection model | Number of collection points | Return rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Return-to-retail | 130000 | 98% |
| Finland | Return-to-retail | 4000 | 97% |
| Denmark | Return-to-retail | 13292 | 93% |
| Norway | Return-to-retail | 15000 | 92% |
| Slovakia | Return-to-retail | 3269 | 90% |
| Lithuania | Return-to-retail | 2600 | 90% |
| Estonia | Return-to-retail | 800 | 89% |
| Iceland | Return-to-redemption centre | 60 | 89% |
| Oregon | Hybrid through retailers and designated BottleDrop Express locations | 2100 | 87% |
| Sweden | Hybrid through retailers and designated Pantamera Express points and recycling tubes | 12927 | 87% |
"We know that deposit return systems work, but good design relies on good data," said Clarissa Morawski, CEO of Reloop. "Our Global Deposit Dashboard gives users the tools to understand what's happening on the ground, compare systems and use those insights to make better decisions."
The launch comes with deposit return schemes scheduled to roll out across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland by October 2027. The UK government is aiming to achieve a 90 per cent recycling rate for single-use drinks containers through the initiative.
Sarah Horner, UK & Ireland Director at Reloop, emphasised the tool's importance for policymakers: "Examining programmes in isolation only tells us part of the story - this platform brings the data together, offering meaningful insights into what works."
