Consumers in Wales could face higher drinks prices and less choice on supermarket shelves under the Welsh Government’s planned deposit return scheme, according to industry leaders who say the decision to include glass bottles makes the system more expensive and complex than elsewhere in the UK.
The scheme, due to launch on 1 October next year, will require shoppers to pay a refundable deposit on eligible drinks containers. That deposit will be returned when empty bottles and cans are taken back to designated collection points, such as reverse vending machines installed in shops.
The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) has warned that including glass bottles in the scheme could add around 50p to the price of some products.
Industry representatives argue that the inclusion of glass creates significant additional costs because it requires stronger, more expensive reverse vending machines capable of safely handling heavier containers, as well as separate transport and collection systems. They say those costs are likely to be passed on to consumers through higher prices or could result in some products being withdrawn from the Welsh market altogether.
The Welsh Government insists it remains committed to introducing the scheme, saying it will help reduce litter, increase recycling rates and support its ambitions for a more circular economy. Environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy has also defended the plans, accusing some critics of spreading misinformation about how the scheme will operate.
The idea behind a deposit return scheme is simple. Customers pay a small deposit when buying a drink and receive the money back when they return the empty container for recycling. Similar systems already operate successfully in countries including Germany, Norway, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, where they have helped achieve recycling rates of well over 90% for eligible containers.
The legislation paving the way for Wales’ scheme was approved by the Senedd as part of wider environmental reforms following years of consultation and policy development. The Welsh Government first committed to introducing a deposit return scheme more than a decade ago as part of its long-term strategy to reduce litter, improve recycling and tackle the environmental impact of single-use packaging. Detailed regulations have since been developed ahead of the planned 2027 launch.
However, Wales has diverged from the rest of the UK by deciding to include glass bottles within its scheme.
England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are working towards a UK-wide deposit return scheme, also expected to launch in October 2027, but it will cover plastic bottles, steel cans and aluminium cans only. Glass was removed from the UK-wide model following concerns from drinks manufacturers, retailers and hospitality businesses over the additional costs and operational complexity.
Supporters of Wales’ approach argue that excluding glass would leave a significant proportion of drinks packaging outside the scheme, reducing its environmental benefits. Glass remains one of the most common materials found in litter surveys and is fully recyclable when collected separately.
Critics, however, warn that operating a different system from the rest of the UK could create confusion for shoppers and businesses, particularly those operating on both sides of the border. Drinks producers have also argued that maintaining separate packaging, labelling and distribution systems for Wales could increase costs and reduce product availability.
The debate comes despite Wales already having one of the highest household recycling rates in the world. Ministers believe the deposit return scheme will complement kerbside collections by targeting drinks containers commonly consumed away from home, helping to reduce litter while increasing the quality and quantity of materials available for recycling.
With just over a year until the planned launch, industry groups are continuing to urge ministers to reconsider the inclusion of glass, while the Welsh Government maintains the policy will deliver long-term environmental benefits and help Wales move closer to its ambitious net zero and circular economy targets.