Statement from Keep Wales Tidy on Welsh Government’s Decision to not join the UK-wide DRS scheme.

Back in 2006, Keep Wales Tidy called for a mandatory Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic, glass, and metal drinks containers. Eighteen years later, we remain disappointed by the UK Government’s decision to exclude glass from their plans.

Keep Wales Tidy fully supports the Welsh Government’s decision to leave the UK Government’s (DRS), allowing them to implement a scheme that aligns with Wales’ bold ambitions for recycling and reuse. Wales continues to lead where others lag, championing an all-in system that reinforces our reputation as global recycling leaders.

While the delay is frustrating, this decision is ultimately the right one for Wales in the long term. With some of the highest recycling rates in the world, adopting a system that excludes glass would not only offer poor value for money but also significantly reduce the scheme’s potential impact.

A well-designed DRS is good for nature, good for communities, and good for our future economy. Let’s get it done.