Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2024

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) states that an estimated 12 billion plastic drinks bottles and 14 billion metal drinks cans are used in the UK every year.

A key environmental protection scheme was debated on 21 January 2025, approving the Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2024. 

With current recycling rates in the UK at around 65-82%, it is estimated that approximately 4 billion plastic bottles and 2.5 billion cans per year are not recycled, ending up as litter or in residual waste. According to Defra, plastic bottles and metal cans make up around 55% of all litter.

The Regulations will establish a Deposit Return Scheme  for plastic bottles and metal drinks cans, launching on 1 October 2027. It will be managed by a new body, the Deposit Management Organisation.

The regulations were approved with the following result: Ayes 352, Noes 75