Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme
Scotland is introducing a deposit return scheme (DRS) which is expected to launch in October 2027. This means when you buy a drink in a single-use container you will pay a deposit, which you get back when you return your empty bottle or can.
SEPA is the regulator for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. We will work with producers, retailers, return point operators and the scheme administrator to help them understand their obligations and what they need to do to comply. Once the scheme is live, we will carry out audits, inspections and enforcement activity.
Regulations
The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020 already exist as a result of Scotland’s early work on DRS.
More recently, the draft Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Amendment Regulations 2025 were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 2 May 2025.
Visit the Scottish Government website for more details, including information relating to timescales, the legal framework and the designation of a new scheme administrator.
How the scheme will work
For consumers
When you buy most drinks in a single-use PET plastic, steel or aluminium container holding between 150 millilitres and 3 litres of liquid you will pay a deposit, which you get back when you return your empty bottle or can to a return point.
For businesses
The scheme is a form of extended producer responsibility, and there will be new legal responsibilities for the management and collection of empty scheme drinks containers for recycling. These are likely to include the following:
- Producers that want to sell their products to consumers in Scotland will need to be registered. Retailers will be responsible for making sure the scheme drinks they sell are from registered producers and for charging customers the deposit when they are sold.
- Unless exempt, groceries retailers will also have to operate a return point, collecting empty containers for recycling and returning the deposit to consumers.
- Hospitality retailers who sell drinks to be consumed on the premises will need to make sure the scheme drinks they sell are from registered producers. As the empty scheme containers will be kept on site for collection, hospitality retailers won’t need to charge the deposit to customers.
You can find out more about our regulatory approach and what this means for DRS obligated businesses in Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme: SEPA's approach to regulation (PDF, 170 KB).
Encouraging behaviour change
The deposit return model incentivises behaviour change, encouraging a move away from a throwaway culture and improving the quality and quantity of recycled material collected.
This reduces:
- Demand on raw materials.
- Litter and the amount of waste going to landfill.
- Emissions that contribute to climate change.
It is a significant step towards improving resource efficiency in Scotland.
Further information
You can also find more information on Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme at the links below:
Contact us
If you need any further help or information about the regulation of Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme, please use our online form to contact us.