EPR Operational Tool

Deposit Return Systems

Using a direct financial incentive to drive higher beverage container collection rates is a powerful tool for producers to maximise their performance in terms of cost efficiency, recovery outputs, and system control.

A direct financial incentive

Deposit Return Systems (DRS) is a powerful tool for producers to maximise their performance in terms of cost efficiency, recovery outputs, and system control.

Otherwise known as…

Deposit Return Systems are often referred to as “Deposit Refund Systems”, “bottle bills” in the US or “Container Refund Schemes” (CRS) in Australia.

DRS uses a direct financial incentive to drive higher collection rates, but they are applied specifically to products that are otherwise difficult to recover and pose significant environmental harm if mismanaged, such as plastic beverage bottles that too often end up polluting our seas.

By attaching a refundable deposit to beverage containers, producers can ensure that valuable materials are returned, recycled, reused and kept in circulation, while also fulfilling their extended responsibility for packaging throughout its full life cycle.

DRS benefits

DRS consistently achieves return rates of 80–90% or higher for beverage containers, far surpassing most kerbside recycling programmes.

By incentivising returns, DRS dramatically cuts beverage container litter and helps keep valuable materials out of landfills and the environment.

Containers collected through DRS are kept separate from other waste, resulting in cleaner, higher-value recyclables that can be used again and again in new products and packaging, boosting circularity.

DRS infrastructure can support reusable packaging systems, giving consumers a reason to return not just single-use, but also refillable containers.

DRS can operate independently or in combination with broader EPR schemes for packaging, creating synergies that boost overall recycling rates and system efficiency.

Steady growth of DRS

Today, Deposit Return Systems are in place in 60 jurisdictions worldwide, and the number is growing each year as more regions seek to improve recycling outcomes and advance circular economy goals.

Resource: Report

Global Deposit Book 2024

Comprehensive summary of 57 deposit return systems for single-use beverage containers, and those to be implemented by the end of 2027.
Resource: Report

Target 90

Report on drinks packaging explaining how the dual-action approach of a 90% collection target and high levels of closed-loop recycling can deliver critical benefits for the climate, the environment and for business.
Resource: Report

Littered with evidence: Proof that deposit return systems work

Report drawing on litter composition data from more than 100 jurisdictions, to show the positive impact of deposit return systems.
Resource: Guide

A Guide to Modern Deposit Return Systems: 10 Essential Practices

10 key requirements for successful implementation of a DRS to serve as a roadmap for policymakers, advocates, and producers seeking the best public policy solutions.
Resource: Video

Deposit Return: How it Works

Beverage containers are one of the biggest contributors to litter. But there is a solution to this problem – it’s called a deposit return system. Watch this explainer and find out what you need to know.
Event:

Best in Class Deposit Return Systems for Single Use Beverage Packaging

Conference by the European Committee of the Regions bringing together governments, DRS operators, experts, producers and technology providers to offer their expertise on the various components of best in class DRS systems.