UK households will be paid to bring empty bottles back to their local supermarket to help slash the amount of plastic that goes to waste. A new desposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans announced by the UK government aims to to “clean up Britain” by giving people a financial incentive to bring their empty containers back, instead of just throwing them away. Households across the UK can return their empty bottles and cans to a collection point, which will be based at supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, so that the containers can be recycled. People that bring back their containers to these collection points will then be paid for their returns.

The deposit return scheme is already used in more than 50 countries worldwide, including Germany, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, to encourage people to recycle more single-use drink containers.

The UK government says an estimated 30 billion single-use drinks containers are bought by consumers across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland every year, including 12 billion plastic bottles and 13 billion cans. Of these, around 6.5 billion single-use drinks bottles and cans per year go to waste rather than being recycled, with many ending up littered.

It is hoped that by giving people a financial incentive to recycle their old bottles and cans, the scheme will help to significantly reduce the amount of plastic that goes to waste.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said: “With successful examples in countries like Germany, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, deposit return schemes are a common-sense way to encourage us all to recycle our drinks containers. 

“Under this scheme, a redeemable deposit is placed on specific drinks containers that can be claimed when the item is returned to a collection point, such as a local supermarket. 

“There’s no need for a receipt or proof of purchase, so anyone can return their own drinks containers or ones that they find, as long as they’re in good nick. This means we can all chip in to help clean up our communities – and get something for it. 

“This simple change will reward people for doing the right thing and recycling their empty drinks containers. Together, we will turn the tide on plastic waste.”

The scheme is due to launch in October 2027 in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, covering a combined population of 65 million, and will include 150ml to three-litre single use plastic and metal drinks containers.

DEFRA said Wales is working on its own plastic deposit reutn scheme which will work alongside the schemes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “This government will clean up Britain and end the throwaway society. This is a vital step as we stop the avalanche of rubbish that is filling up our streets, rivers and oceans and protect our treasured wildlife.

“Turning trash into cash also delivers on our Plan for Change by kickstarting clean growth, ensuring economic stability, more resilient supply chains, and new green jobs.”