Exchange For Change have announced a package of support for retailers ahead of the Deposit Return Scheme launch in October 2027.
This includes an extension of the exemption criteria and grants for small, independent retailers.
What is the Deposit Return Scheme exception criteria?
All retailers in urban areas, with a retail footprint of less than 100m², are automatically exempt from operating a return point.
Exchange For Change have since agreed an extension of the exemption criteria. Now, urban retailers with a sales area of between 100m² and 199m² and rural retailers with less that 200m² of sales area to apply for a size-based exemption can apply for a size-based exemption.
Further exemptions have also been agreed on the basis of proximity, heritage or listed building restrictions, site access or lack of access to utilities.
What grants are available to retailers?
Exchange For Change have announced that there will be grants to help 10,000 retailers meet the cost of installing Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs).
Grants of £6,000 will be made available per site to qualifying small, independent retailers. This will be delivered in three annual payments of £2,000, starting three months after the installation of an RVM.
What other updates have there been on the Deposit Return Scheme?
Exchange For Change has recently confirmed the fees that will be paid to return point operators when the scheme launches. Read more here.
What do I need to do as a retailer?
Further details on how to apply for exemptions and detailed eligibility criteria for grants will be made available in Q3 2026.
We would encourage you to stay up to date with the latest on the Deposit Return Scheme. A good start is checking out our Talking Shop article here.
ACS have also launched a comprehensive DRS resources hub for convenience retailers which includes learnings from Ireland and Vienna where there’s a DRS already live.