Material specification published to support industry readiness for Deposit Return Scheme

Exchange for Change has published its material specification for drinks containers included in the scheme.

The specification is designed to support efficient recycling and high-quality material recovery. Available to read in full online, it sets out the criteria for packaging to be accepted by Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) as part of the scheme.

It provides producers with clarity on any packaging changes required ahead of the scheme going live in October 2027. The specification covers drinks containers made from PET plastic, aluminium and steel, ranging in size from 150ml to 3 litres. It also outlines specific requirements for barcodes and product identification to ensure containers can be efficiently processed through RVMs and across the wider collection network.

Producers are required to register products in advance of October 2027, with clear timelines established to support onboarding and testing where necessary. The specification also identifies a low-volume product exemption, designed to reduce the impact on small producers.