Several leading wholesale bodies have established a specific DRS group where retailers can use their nearest cash and carry as a bottle-return point.
Speaking at the annual Unitas Wholesale tradeshow on 11 March, Scottish Wholesale Association chief executive Colin Smith said a “cross-sector group of wholesalers” had been established to help support the retail and foodservice sectors with the upcoming deposit return scheme (DRS) legislation.
The purpose of the group, which also includes Food and Drink Wholesale UK (FWD) and Unitas among its membership, is “working collectively for everyone in the wholesale channel.”
To help retailers who choose to act as a manual return point, the group is in discussions with DRS operator Exchange for Change to examine a number of options. This includes enabling small shops to return containers to their nearest cash and carry, or on a wholesaler’s delivered network.
Read more: Exchange for Change publishes mandatory packaging guidance for DRS
Also speaking on the panel was FWD chief executive James Bielby, who warned there was still a lack of awareness among wholesalers about DRS. He added there is still a “big communication job” to do in resolving this to ensure wholesalers can support retailers properly.
Once introduced, the DRS will require consumers to pay a premium on drinks housed in single-use containers. The premium will be refunded when they return the container to a convenience store or supermarket with a reverse vending machine.
Some stores will be exempt from housing the machines and can accept containers manually. However, retailers and industry experts have already raised concerns over pressures on space and hygiene through manual handling methods.
DRS was launched in Ireland in 2024. However, Richard Booth, a non-executive director representing wholesalers on Exchange for Change, admitted take up of the scheme among convenience stores was slower than the supermarkets and warned small shops across the UK could follow a similar pattern.
