THE organisation delivering the deposit return scheme (DRS) across Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland has published its material specification for drinks containers included in the scheme.
Designed to support efficient recycling and high-quality material recovery, Exchange for Change’s specification, available to read in full here, sets out the criteria for packaging to be accepted by reverse vending machines (RVMs) as part of the scheme.
The specification gives producers clarity on any packaging changes that are required ahead of the scheme going live from October 2027. It covers drinks containers made from PET plastic, aluminium and steel, ranging in size from 150ml to 3 litres, and outlines specific requirements for barcodes and product identification to ensure containers can be efficiently processed through RVMs and across the wider collection network.
Producers must register products in advance of October 2027, with clear timelines set out to support onboarding and testing where required. The specification also identifies low-volume product exemption, which is designed to reduce the impact on small producers.
Russell Davies, CEO of Exchange for Change, said, “The publication of our material specification is a milestone in providing producers with the clarity they need to prepare for the Deposit Return Scheme. It sets out in practical terms how packaging should be labelled so it can work effectively within the system from day one.
“Our focus is on making sure businesses have the time, certainty and support they need. By publishing this guidance now, we’re helping producers plan ahead, align packaging changes with their existing cycles and avoid unnecessary disruption as we move towards launch.
“This is part of our wider work to support industry readiness for the deposit return scheme’s launch in October next year. We will continue to provide further detail, guidance and engagement opportunities as the scheme develops.”
Allowed materials
- PET plastic bottles
- Aluminium cans
- Steel cans
- Size range: 150 ml – 3 L
Material performance (compaction)
- PET bottles: ≥55% compaction
- Metal cans: ≥75% compaction
- Must deform predictably in reverse vending machines
Structural / physical requirements
- Prefer cylindrical shapes
- Must withstand handling but still compact easily
- Avoid complex or irregular geometries unless validated
Labels & coverings (material impact)
- Labels must not interfere with recycling
- Avoid excessive coverage (especially full-body sleeves unless compatible)
- Materials used in labels/adhesives should not contaminate recycling streams
Detectability (material-related)
- Materials must allow:
- Barcode readability
- Shape recognition
- Weight consistency
- Metal detection (for cans)
Material limitations
- No materials that:
- Prevent proper compaction
- Interfere with machine detection
- Reduce recyclability of the base material
Compatibility requirement
- All materials and components must be compatible with:
- Reverse vending machines (RVMs)
- Sorting and recycling systems
