Exchange For Change, the organisation delivering the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across the UK, has announced that producer fees for all drinks containers will be set at 0p for the first 15 months of the scheme in order to minimise costs for businesses at the outset
Producer fees are the charges that drinks producers will pay to help cover the costs of operating the scheme, which will launch in October 2027.
Based on current data, it is anticipated producer fees will be 0.6p per unit for aluminium and steel containers and 2.3p per unit for PET containers, projected to take effect from January 2029 to December 2032. This will be reviewed, validated and reconfirmed in May 2027.
A consultation on the fees saw responses from across the drinks supply chain, representing producers and retailers of all sizes, which directly informed the approach to setting the producer fee structure and levels.
Russell Davies, Exchange For Change chief executive, said, “Publishing the producer fees is another major milestone delivered as we move towards the launch of the deposit return scheme in October 2027, and will help businesses in their preparation and planning. Our approach to setting the producer fees has been founded on collaborative and constructive engagement with industry, and I would like to thank all of those whose contributions helped to inform and guide the outcome.
“We recognise the breadth of work being undertaken by industry to prepare for launch in October 2027. Setting a 0p producer fee for the first 15 months of the scheme is intended to support businesses in the early stages of the scheme. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to ensuring that producer fees always remain as low as possible, while supporting the long-term financial sustainability of the scheme.”
Bill Power, chairman at DRS International, said, “This announcement gives producers useful short-term cost clarity, but a 0p producer fee for the first 15 months should not be mistaken for a reason to delay preparation. Businesses should still model the potential impact of the projected fees from 2029 and continue the wider work on data, systems, packaging and commercial readiness ahead of October 2027.”
