Welsh Government to launch consultation on Wales DRS in May
Welsh Government announces timeline for developing deposit return scheme separate from rest of the UK, with stakeholder sessions beginning March 2025 and formal consultation launching in summer.
The Welsh Government has provided further clarity on the next steps of its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), following the announcement in November 2024 that Wales would be withdrawing from the proposed UK-wide system.
In March 2025, sessions will be held across Wales, providing businesses, environmental groups, and local authorities the opportunity to offer feedback on the implementation of the scheme. This will include discussions on whether reusable drinks containers should be covered under the DRS.
No provisions for reusable and refillable containers have been set out by the UK-wide scheme yet, although the UK Government has expressed support for voluntary trials with industry partners.
The development of a formal consultation will take place between May and October 2025, with a planned launch in the summer. Running for 12 weeks, the consultation will gather insights from industry and the public on the scheme designs. The process will be followed by an in-depth analysis and evaluation of responses from November 2025 to Spring 2026.
The Welsh Government is set to publish its findings and next steps in Spring 2026, aiming to tailor the initiative to Wales’ specific recycling priorities. It is likely that these future plans will be impacted by the next Senedd election, which is due by 7 May 2026.
The Government’s recycling target is set for 70 per cent by 2024-25, with the most recent reports suggesting that the rate increased to 66.6 per cent last year. Wales’ commitment to include glass containers in its scheme, unlike England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, has also been linked to the decision.
Responding to the development, David Gudgeon, Head of External Affairs at Reconomy brand Reconomy Connect, welcomed the update: “We are pleased to see some clarification from the Welsh government on the next steps for its Deposit Return Scheme. These schemes are an important step towards greater circularity with the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution and carbon emissions while also driving job creation and investment.”
However, some concern was raised over the cross-border implications of the separate schemes.
Gudgeon added: “For the scheme to be effective, it will have to be developed in close collaboration with the other UK nations to minimise disruption for retailers and producers and avoid any unnecessary consumer confusion.”
