Deposit Return Scheme
Scotland is getting ready to transform the way we recycle.
Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme
The Scottish Parliament has voted in favour of a deposit return scheme for Scotland, meaning that Scotland will soon be the first part of the UK to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers.
As part of our recycling system It will be available across all of Scotland from 1 July 2022, and will make it easier for everyone to recycle their used bottles and cans, including all drinks sold in PET plastic, metal and glass.
Have a question?
How will it work?
Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme has been designed to make it easy for us all to do the right thing. People pay a small deposit of 20p when they buy a drink in a single-use container and then get the deposit back when they return the empty bottle or can.
When will it start?
The scheme will go live for the public on 1 July 2022. However, an independent Gateway Review into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the go-live date for Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme was announced by the Cabinet Secretary in March 2021.
The Scottish Government appointed a scheme administrator in March 2021 – Circularity Scotland Ltd is a newly formed, not-for-profit organisation and will manage the logistics of the deposit return scheme.
Other parts of the regulations will come into effect before the scheme goes live, to make sure it is ready on day one.
The benefits
Deposit return schemes are already established in many countries where they are helping to tackle climate change and reduce litter. Scotland is joining them, with a scheme designed to meet our unique needs, to tackle our throwaway culture and help protect our environment for generations to come.
Exemptions Application Service
With Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme going live in 2022, businesses should familiarise with any return point obligations they will have.
Under some circumstances, businesses will be able to apply for an exemption. Find out more about what this means.
Voluntary Return Point
Under Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme regulations, all retailers who sell, to consumers on their premises, in-scope drinks for take away must operate a return point.
Other organisations for example, transport hubs or shopping centres can apply to become a return point. We refer to these as voluntary return points. Find out more.
