Exchange for Change appointed as the DRS scheme administrator in Wales

The Welsh Government has announced it has appointed Exchange for Change as its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Deposit Management Organisation.

The Scheme will include plastic (PET), metal and glass drinks containers from day one, but in line with the Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026 a four-year transition period will apply to glass drinks containers, during which glass drinks containers will be exempt from labelling requirements and carry a zero pence deposit.

Responding to the announcement, SGF Chief Executive, Dr Pete Cheema OBE, said: “The Welsh government has made the right decision to appoint Exchange for Change as administrators for the UK Deposit Return Scheme, and without a moment to lose.

“An aligned four nations approach is vital for businesses that work on both sides of the border, for producers, suppliers and retailers alike, and essential to the success of the scheme. With just over a year to go, the pressure is on EFC to ensure Welsh operators are up to speed so that there are no more delays.

“SGF has worked closely with EFC to reach this point, and remarkable progress has been made do far. However, there are still important questions that need to be to be addressed - ensuring that the scheme will work for retailers and for the convenience sector. We will continue to keep members up to date throughout the process.”