Earlier this week, the Welsh government announced it would create its own recycling scheme, stepping away from the UK-wide plan.

The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is designed to incentivize recycling by offering a refund for single-use drinks containers. Under the current UK-wide proposal, glass bottles are not included. The scheme aims to achieve a 90% recycling rate for drinks containers and significantly reduce litter.

In Northern Ireland, the DRS will cover single-use containers made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, steel, and aluminium, ranging in size from 150ml to three litres.

Stormont Environment Minister Andrew Muir expressed disappointment over delays to the Welsh scheme but reaffirmed Northern Ireland’s commitment to the DRS, which is set to launch in October 2027.

“I remain fully committed to implementing DRS as soon as possible, so the people of Northern Ireland can benefit from increased, high-quality recycling and reduced littering,” he said.

“My department will continue to collaborate with Scotland and England to ensure our schemes are rolled out simultaneously in October 2027 as planned. Ireland launched its DRS in February this year, and I am eager for Northern Ireland to follow suit without further delay.”

In addition, the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is introducing an Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for packaging. This initiative will require packaging producers and manufacturers to cover the costs of recycling and disposal. It aims to improve collection and recycling rates for packaging materials, including those not covered by the DRS, such as glass, cartons, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastics used for items like fresh milk containers.