Ocado and Co-op are spearheading a coalition of 60 businesses advocating for a digital alternative to the proposed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in the UK.
The call for a digital DRS comes from a diverse group of businesses who have collectively addressed environment minister Mary Creagh. They propose a scheme that allows consumers to recycle drinks containers at home through digital scanning, while still receiving their deposits, complementing in-store return systems. This initiative is supported by Polytag, a company specialising in recycling technology.
Ocado’s involvement in this push follows a successful trial of a digital deposit return scheme. Last year, in collaboration with Polytag, Ocado launched a pilot project where consumers could earn 20p for each milk bottle scanned via their smartphones and placed in kerbside recycling. The trial saw over 20,000 bottles scanned and returned, yielding consumer rewards totalling up to £4,000.
Laura Fernandez, Senior Packaging and Sustainability Manager at Ocado Retail, highlighted the potential benefits of such a system. She stated, “A digital option is a convenient and necessary step toward creating a recycling system that really works. This approach would empower consumers, reduce operational strain on retailers, and accelerate progress toward the UK’s circular economy goals.”
The proposal for a digital system comes at a time when Wales is advancing its own deposit return scheme, with the inclusion of glass bottles, despite previous agreements for harmonious schemes across the UK. This decision has been criticised by several industry groups including the British Retail Consortium, The Food and Drink Federation, The Association of Convenience Stores, and The Industry Council for Packaging and Environment. These organisations have voiced concerns about the financial and logistical implications of divergent policies among the UK’s nations.
They stated: “With industry preparing to invest billions in a UK-wide DRS system, on top of new costs arising from the Chancellor’s budget, it is essential that any approach to DRS is aligned across all four nations and delivers improved recycling rates and a reduction in litter across the UK.”
The push for a digital deposit return scheme reflects a forward-thinking approach to enhancing recycling efforts in the UK. As businesses and governments navigate the complexities and financial challenges of these initiatives, collaboration will be key to achieving sustainability goals. Aligning efforts across the UK is essential to streamline operations and maximise environmental benefits.
