AQO 1627/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 13/02/2025
Answered On Date: 26/02/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline the timeline for the delivery of a Deposit Return Scheme.

Answer:

I am very pleased to report that The Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025 were made on 23rd January 2025. These regulations outline the framework for implementing the DRS, which is scheduled to commence in October 2027, these have now been published together with supporting evidence on www.gov.uk. With Scotland's own regulations also progressing, this marks a major step forward for the introduction of the scheme across the three nations.

This followed the decision by Welsh Government to withdraw from the scheme in November 2024. However, as outlined at the time, I remain fully committed to DRS being implemented as soon as possible, so that the people of Northern Ireland will benefit from increased, high-quality recycling with reduced littering.

The introduction of the new parliamentary regulations is a significant milestone and further signals our commitment to move forward together to deliver our goals to protect our climate, drive green growth and reduce unnecessary waste, whilst tackling the scourge of litter in our communities.

The next stage will see the appointment of a Deposit Management Organisation (DMO), which will be an independent, not for profit and a private body responsible for the administration and day-to-day running of the scheme. The application process, developed across the 3 Nations, closed earlier this month, with an appointment expected by end of April 2025.