Exchange For Change, the organisation delivering the UK's Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), has published the producer fees that will fund the scheme once it goes live in October 2027. The announcement follows months of industry consultation and gives drinks producers a clear cost picture as they finalise their DRS budgets.
Envipco Comapact Reverse Vending Machine
How the Fee Structure Works
Producer fees will start at 0p for all container materials for the scheme's first 15 months, from October 2027 to December 2028. From January 2029, fees are provisionally set at 0.6p per unit for aluminium and steel containers and 2.3p per unit for PET containers, running through December 2032. These figures will be reviewed, validated and reconfirmed in May 2027, and reviewed annually once the scheme is live.
The staged approach is designed to reduce financial pressure on producers during the scheme's launch window, while giving Exchange For Change room to refine costs as real operational data comes in. It follows earlier confirmation of the 20p deposit value, the Return Handling Fee, return point exemption rules, and grant support for small independent retailers.
What This Means for Retailers and Producers
For retailers hosting return points, the fee structure itself doesn't change day-to-day operations, but it's a signal that the scheme's cost model is becoming more concrete ahead of go-live. For producers, the 0p introductory period offers a window to absorb DRS compliance costs elsewhere before per-unit fees begin in 2029. Retailers preparing return infrastructure now, including RVM deployment, can plan with more certainty about the wider cost environment they'll be operating in.
Frequently Asked Questions About UK DRS Producer Fees
When do UK DRS producer fees start?
Producer fees are set at 0p for all container types for the first 15 months of the scheme, from October 2027 to December 2028.
How much will producers pay per container?
From January 2029, provisional fees are 0.6p per unit for aluminium and steel containers and 2.3p per unit for PET containers, subject to reconfirmation in May 2027.
Who sets and reviews UK DRS producer fees?
Exchange For Change, the not-for-profit UK Deposit Management Organisation, sets and reviews the fees, with annual reviews once the scheme is operational.
Conclusion
Producer fees are 0p for the first 15 months of the UK DRS, stepping up to 0.6p per unit for metal and 2.3p per unit for PET from 2029. The structure is designed to ease producers into the scheme's cost model while keeping fees under regular review. It's one more piece of the cost picture businesses need before the October 2027 launch.
Preparing return infrastructure ahead of the UK DRS launch? Envipco's RVM range, from compact units for convenience formats to high-throughput machines for large stores, is already being deployed across the UK. Get in touch to plan your rollout.