CCEP: Preparing for the Deposit Return Scheme

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Ruth Fawcett, Associate Director of Wholesale & Convenience, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, shares the role played by wholesalers ahead of the Deposit Return Scheme going live

With just over a year to go until the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers goes live in October 2027, preparations by Exchange for Change, the scheme’s Deposit Management Organisation, are gathering pace.

DRS will represent a significant change for the entire drinks supply chain. And while much of the conversation understandably focuses on what it will mean for consumers and retailers, wholesalers also have an important role to play in helping thousands of customers understand and prepare for the transition.

At Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), we know from our experience in markets where DRS is already established that early preparation matters. For wholesalers, that means understanding how the scheme could affect their own operations, while also thinking about how they can support their retail customers as implementation approaches.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHOICES

Wholesalers don’t need to have all the answers for their customers but understanding some of the decisions ahead of them, including how they collect returned bottles and cans, will help to facilitate informed conversations.

There are effectively two options for handling drinks containers: collecting them manually or through a reverse vending machine (RVM). Manual take-back can appear simpler, but it requires colleagues to check returned containers and establishing whether there is sufficient space to store them. RVMs automate much of that process, although retailers will need to consider the right machine for their expected volumes, available space and customer needs.

Retailers operating a return point will receive a return handling fee, recently set by Exchange for Change at 3p per container for manual return points. Fees for automatic return points have been set at 5p per container for the first 225,000 containers per year and 1.3p for returns above that threshold. Convenience retailers may also be able to access grants of £6,000 per site over three years to support DRS running costs, with eligibility criteria to be published in due course.

That also means ensuring customer-facing teams are equipped for conversations about DRS. As implementation gets closer, questions from retailers will only increase, making clear and consistent communication throughout the wholesale channel essential.

UNDERSTANDING THE OPPORTUNITY

Preparation shouldn’t be viewed solely through the lens of compliance. Experience from markets where DRS is already established suggests the scheme can also influence shopper behaviour.

At CCEP, we’ve seen this first-hand in Ireland where its DRS has been in place since 2024. Experience there has shown that returning containers can become part of the shopper journey, creating opportunities for retailers operating return points to drive footfall and spend.

For wholesalers, understanding any changes in consumer behaviours will help to inform conversations around ranging and sales opportunities with customers.

PREPARATION

Of course, retailer readiness is only one part of the picture. DRS will require preparation throughout the supply chain, and wholesalers will have their own responsibilities to get ready for ahead of the scheme going live.

This includes ensuring information about the scheme is clearly displayed and that products included in DRS carry the scheme logo and relevant return code. Wholesalers will also need to be ready to charge and collect the deposit value for each in-scope container from their customers when the scheme launches. Getting the right systems and processes in place ahead of October 2027 will therefore be an important part of preparations.

The transition will require close collaboration between producers, wholesalers, retailers, the Deposit Management Organisation and other partners. The more we can share information and learn from markets that have already implemented DRS, the smoother that transition can be.

At CCEP, we’re committed to playing our part. Over the coming months, we’ll continue working with our customers and partners to help businesses prepare. While October 2027 might still feel some way off, there will be plenty to consider between now and then.

For wholesalers, the opportunity is not simply to prepare their own operations, but to use their scale, expertise and close relationships with retailers to help them prepare too. Starting those conversations now will put the whole channel in a stronger position when DRS goes live.

WHOLESALE ACTION PLAN

• Start to display and share information about DRS including timelines in depot and online
• Ensure your processes are in place before DRS launches so you can charge and collect the deposit value for each in-scope container
• Direct retailers to the Exchange for Change website (exchangeforchange.co.uk) for the latest DRS information