UK DMO - Newsletter #5 October 2025

Welcome to the fifth edition of UK DMO’s industry newsletter. 

The past month has seen continued progress as we strengthen the foundations of the organisation, advance operational planning and deepen engagement with stakeholders across the UK. With two years to go until the Deposit Return Scheme is set to launch in October 2027, our focus remains firmly on delivery - from the opening of our new base in Milton Keynes to the publication of the official Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) Specification, and from active collaboration with governments, retailers and producers to the ongoing work of our Consumer Engagement Forum, we are building a scheme that works for everyone.   

Operational planning   

Work to develop the operational blueprint for the Deposit Return Scheme is progressing quickly. The DMO has now published the official Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) Specification, setting out the standards and performance requirements for the automated machines that will collect beverage containers under the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme.   

The specification explains how RVMs will operate within the scheme and what is required of those supplying or operating them. It marks an important milestone that gives industry the certainty to move forward with planning. The new specification ensures all machines meet consistent standards for reliability, accessibility and performance across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, while allowing scope for future innovation that enhances user experience, efficiency or environmental performance.   

The DMO has worked closely with RVM suppliers, regulators and members of its Industry Advisory Group to prepare and finalise the standards, helping to ensure they are practical, effective and ready for implementation. 

Full details can be found on the UK DMO website. 

Organisation set up

UK DMO has now begun working from its new offices in Milton Keynes, marking an important milestone in the DMO’s development. The site will serve as the operational hub for the DMO, bringing together teams across governance, finance, IT and stakeholder engagement. We look forward to welcoming partners and stakeholders to the new office as our work continues to gather pace.     

Our IT team is also now in place and will be vital as we build out the systems required to communicate effectively with stakeholders and manage the complex data flows needed to operate a modern deposit return scheme. This foundation will allow us to scale the organisation over the coming months, and ensure the systems and processes are in place to support the DMO’s long-term operations.   

Recruitment update   

Recruitment continues at pace as we scale up to meet the demands of scheme delivery.   

We were pleased to recently welcome John Steele to the retail development team. John is a Sales and Marketing Director with more than 20 years’ experience in FMCG, bringing expertise in commercial leadership, brand management and business transformation. His knowledge will be invaluable as we build a practical and inclusive return network.  

Alongside this, recruitment for senior Board positions is progressing. The search for a Chief Financial Officer and Independent Non-Executive Directors is ongoing, while CEO recruitment is now in its final stages, with an update expected shortly. 

Further appointments are also being made across producer development, helpdesk and office management, ensuring the organisation has the right mix of skills to support retailers, producers and consumers. These roles will be central to building the operational capability needed to deliver a scheme that is efficient, fair and trusted. 

We are continuing to advertise new opportunities as the organisation grows. The current openings are below, and we encourage interested candidates to apply. 

• Interim Retail Development Lead – Build and support a nationwide return point network. 

• Financial Controller (Chartered Accountant) – Lead strategic financial operations. 

• Interim Producer Development Lead – Guide packaging requirements and producer onboarding. 

• Helpdesk Lead – Design and run support for retailers, producers and consumers. 

• Office Manager & Executive PA – Keep our Milton Keynes HQ running smoothly. 

Full job descriptions for the above roles can be found on the careers section of the website. 

Communications & engagement 

Engagement with industry and the wider stakeholder community remains a central priority for the DMO. Over recent weeks, we have been active across a number of key forums, ensuring that the voices of producers, retailers and consumers continue to inform scheme design.   

At the RWM Exhibition in Birmingham we met with reverse vending machine suppliers and waste management operators, helping to shape the operational planning now underway. The DMO also contributed to WRAP’s event “Designing Return: Citizen-Led Solutions for DRS Success”, which explored how citizen behaviour can drive scheme adoption. Discussions focused on behavioural drivers, alignment with existing recycling systems, and the importance of collective approaches that work for citizens, industry and local authorities alike.  

In Glasgow, we joined the Scottish Grocers Federation Conference (pictured above) to provide an update on progress and, importantly, to listen to retailers’ priorities for implementation. These conversations will be central to ensuring the scheme is practical, fair and trusted across all parts of the sector. 

Government engagement 

Our engagement with governments across the UK remains active and constructive, keeping the DMO closely aligned with evolving policy across nations.   

In Scotland, we held a two-day programme of meetings with the Cabinet Secretary and with SEPA, beginning a dialogue on delivery and implementation. We also attended the launch of the Welsh Government’s DRS consultation in Porth, joining discussions on how best to design a scheme that reflects the needs of local communities while supporting UK-wide interoperability. 

Building the foundations for public engagement  

Over the past month, we’ve made strong progress on the marketing foundations for the Deposit Return Scheme.    

Following a series of in-depth introduction calls with leading branding agencies, we are on track to appoint our chosen partner by the second week of October. In parallel, we have been engaging with consumer research agencies to ensure that the voice of the public is built into every stage of our planning. Our Consumer Engagement Forum will also continue to play an important role in providing valuable feedback as we move forward.   

Keeping in touch

Please continue to visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to keep up to date on our work.