Glass deposit operator confirmed after months of wrangling

After months of negotiations over the inclusion of glass, the Welsh government has appointed Exchange for Change to manage the deposit return scheme (DRS). Exchange for Change was already selected to run the new recycling programs in the rest of the UK. The operator will take charge of Wales DRS when it commences in October 2027.

Drinks industry representatives had previously expressed concerns about the time taken to appoint the Wales operator, fearing it might delay the scheme's launch. The sustainability minister Llŷr Gruffydd stated that the appointment was a significant step towards enhanced recycling and reuse. However, experts have warned that the scheme could lead to a 50p price increase for drinks.

The Welsh government had been discussing with Exchange for Change for some time, with key differences existing between the government's requirements and what the operator was willing to offer. The Welsh government required 3,500 reverse vending machines for glass at the scheme's start, while Exchange for Change proposed to launch with 100 machines nationwide.

Gruffydd acknowledged the need for growth in the number of reverse vending machines over time. The Welsh government will offer exemptions for smaller producers and flexibility for smaller retailers. The DRS will cover plastic, metal, and glass drinks containers from the beginning, with glass containers exempt from labeling requirements and a zero pence deposit for four years.

The scheme aims to curb litter, boost high-quality recycled material collection, and pave the way for reusable drink containers in Wales. The drinks industry accepted the appointment of Exchange for Change as a crucial milestone for a successful DRS launch in October 2027, but warned of potential operational complexities due to the inclusion of glass.

Exchange for Change hailed the appointment as an important milestone, expressing eagerness to cooperate with the Welsh government on the scheme's implementation.