Welsh Deposit Return Scheme confirms glass inclusion and lays regulations

The Welsh Government has taken a significant step towards implementing its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

The UK Government has confirmed that an exclusion under the UK Internal Market Act (UKIMA) will be granted, alongside the formal laying of the DRS for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026.

The exclusion from the UKIMA’s market access principles, announced on 12 February, means that Wales can include glass containers in their scheme, whereas the rest of the UK will continue with DRS plans that cover only PET bottles and steel/aluminium cans.

The statement notes that this decision was in recognition of Wales’ high recycling performance and long-standing intention to include glass bottles in scope.

Conditions behind the exemption

However, the exclusion comes with several conditions intended to keep the UK’s DRS' aligned and to give industry more time to prepare.

These include commitments to:

• Launch the Welsh DRS for PET plastic and metal drinks containers on 1 October 2027, in line with the rest of the UK.
• Ensure interoperability by including a single registration and reporting system for PET plastic and metal containers, reciprocal take-back arrangements and the same deposit level across the UK.
• Extend the transitional period for glass containers until October 2031, meaning glass containers will carry a 0p deposit and be exempt from labelling requirements until this date.

A joint implementation taskforce

The statement also confirms that a joint implementation taskforce will be established consisting of representatives from the UK Government, devolved administrations and relevant scheme bodies to coordinate delivery of the system.

The Welsh Government has also laid the DRS for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026 before the Senedd.

In a written statement Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, confirmed that the regulations establish the legal framework for a Welsh DRS, describing them as a “major milestone” in Wales’ approach to reducing waste, tackling litter and supporting a more circular economy.

With the regulations now laid, they will be subject to Senedd scrutiny and approval. Further regulatory detail is expected in future statutory instruments, particularly in relation to reuse and longer‑term scheme operation.

The UK Government’s statement can be found here, the Welsh one here and the Welsh DRS regulations here.