Exchange For Change has announced the planned producer fees for the UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). When the deposit return scheme launches in October 2027, producers will initially pay no fees for 15 months. According to the current status, different rates for metal and PET drink packaging are planned from January 2029.
The producer fees are intended to help finance the operating costs of the deposit return scheme. For the period from October 2027 to December 2028, Exchange For Change is initially setting the fee at 0 pence per unit. According to the organisation, this is intended to limit the financial burden on businesses during the rollout phase.
PET is to receive higher fee
From January 2029, based on currently available data, Exchange For Change anticipates a fee of 0.6p per unit for aluminium and steel containers. For PET drinks packaging, 2.3p per unit is planned. These fees are expected to apply until December 2032.
However, the amounts are not yet final. Exchange For Change intends to review the calculation based on further cost forecasts, contract prices and operational data. The fees are to be validated and reconfirmed in May 2027. An annual review is planned following the launch of the DRS.
The fee structure was preceded by several months of consultation with companies along the drinks supply chain. According to Exchange For Change, producers and retailers of various sizes were involved.
„We know how extensive industry preparations are for the launch in October 2027. A manufacturer fee of 0p for the first 15 months is intended to support businesses in the early phase of the scheme,“ says Russell Davies, Chief Executive of Exchange For Change.
Deposit is 20 pence
The producer fees are a further building block for the planned British deposit return scheme. The deposit amount was already set at 20 pence in April. In addition, according to Exchange For Change, the return handling fee, procedures for exemptions at return points, and funding opportunities for small independent retailers have since been specified, among other things.
Source: Exchange For Change
