MP votes to support new draft regulations for Deposit Return Scheme for single-use drink containers

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WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols has voted to support new draft regulations to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use drinks containers.

Across the UK, consumers purchase an estimated 31 billion single-use drinks containers each year – 12 billion plastic drinks bottles, 14 billion drinks cans, and 5 billion glass bottles. Yet current collection rates are between 70 to 75%.
The proposed law is set to establish a DRS for drinks containers. This means people will be able to reclaim a small deposit when returning a used drink container to a designated return point; this might be to a shop or to a reverse vending machine.
It is expected that this will not only increase recycling rates but also significantly reduce litter on our streets. Research by Keep Britain Tidy estimates that plastic bottles and drinks cans makes up to 55% of all litter across the UK. This scheme will encourage people to return their containers rather than litter them.

Charlotte said: “It’s a huge step forward for local campaigners that the legislation to bring in the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has now been passed. I know from my own time spent with local litter volunteers just how much of this material which could and should be recycled including single use bottles and cans.
This litter on our streets, in our waterways, parks and green spaces is a blight on our town, and it’s right we have greater incentives for individuals to recycle and put greater responsibility on retailers and manufacturers to help tackle this blight.
This litter is not just unsightly, but a hazard to children, wildlife, motorists and contributes to flooding risk when it collects in drains and brooks stopping water from getting through”.

Warrington residents have also supported this move. Tony Dixon of Warrington Litter Networks and a Keep Britain Tidy Litterheroes Ambassador said: “Today’s Parliamentary approval for the English Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and cans (to start in 2027) is a big step in the right direction. This will make a very big difference to our environment here in Warrington.
Warrington’s volunteer litter teams have collected 32,000 bags of mostly plastic waste in the last 4 years, about 90 tonnes. We have also collected 230,000 discarded aluminium cans (over 3 tonnes) for recycling in the last two and a half years. We have picked 26 sacks of plastic bottles from the Kingsway Mersey in just two hours.
The ”microplastic legacy” of discarded plastic in our waterways, the sea and our own food chain is a genuine health concern. Today’s news is a big step forward for our environment and our children’s health. Congratulations to Charlotte Nichols and her all-party parliamentary colleagues for helping to make this happen”.
MPs voted 352 to 75 in favour of the statutory instrument which will lead to the scheme being introduced in England and Northern Ireland from October 2027. The Government intends to appoint the Deposit Management Organisations in April 2025.


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