Delivering a Best for Wales Deposit Return Scheme

You must submit your response for it to be considered.

Exemptions for low-volume producers – glass in DRS

Question 1. Do you agree with the proposed approach to exempt glass product lines from the DRS for producers who meet the low-volume exemption threshold under pEPR?

Yes
No
Don't know

Please provide details for your response:

The road to reuse

Question 2: Do you agree that the drinks industry should develop the reuse roadmap, coordinated by a DMO?

Yes
No
Don't know

Please provide details for your response:

Regulatory framework - targets for increasing reusable containers

Question 3a: DMO Collection Targets for Reuse

Do you agree that the Welsh Government should set mandatory collection for reuse targets for DMOs in 2031, 2035, and 2040, requiring a minimum percentage of drinks containers to be collected for reuse?

Yes, I agree targets should be set for these dates
Yes, I agree targets should be set, but for different dates
No, the Welsh Government should not set targets
Don’t know

Question 3a: continued

	2031	2035	2040
Targets for the minimum proportion (percent) of drinks containers collected for reuse
5%	5% 2031	5% 2035	5% 2040
10%	10% 2031	10% 2035	10% 2040
20%	20% 2031	20% 2035	20% 2040
30%	30% 2031	30% 2035	30% 2040
40%	40% 2031	40% 2035	40% 2040
50%	50% 2031	50% 2035	50% 2040
Other (free text)	Other (free text) 2031	Other (free text) 2035	Other (free text) 2040
Don’t know	Don’t know 2031	Don’t know 2035	Don’t know 2040

Comment:

Question 3b: Producer Placed-on-Market Targets for Reuse

Do you agree that the Welsh Government should set mandatory reuse targets for producers, requiring a minimum percentage of drinks containers placed on the market to be reused by 2031, 2035, and 2040?

If you answer ‘No’ please do not respond to questions 4 & 5 and move to ‘Support the transition to reusable containers’.

Yes, I agree targets should be set for these dates
Yes, I agree targets should be set, but for different dates
No, the Welsh Government should not set targets
Don’t know

Question 4: Do you think there should be one collection for reuse target for all drinks containers in the DRS, or a separate target for each type of material? (e.g. a target for PET plastic bottles, a different target for glass bottles, and another for aluminium and steel cans)

Targets for the minimum proportion (percent) of drinks collected in reusable containers

	Yes	No	Don’t know
A single target for all DRS drinks containers	A single target for all DRS drinks containers Yes	A single target for all DRS drinks containers No	A single target for all DRS drinks containers Don’t know
Separate targets for each type of material	Separate targets for each type of material Yes	Separate targets for each type of material No	Separate targets for each type of material Don’t know

Please provide details for your response:

Question 5: What should the target level be set at beyond 2030 in order to ensure the scheme delivers a collection for recycling rate that is in line with the world's best?

Please provide details for your response:

Question 6: When reusable containers are introduced, should the total number of containers (single-use and reusable) contribute to the same collection target?

Yes, the single-use or reusable drinks containers should contribute to the same return rate target.
No, there should be separate return rate targets for single-use containers and reusable containers
Don’t know

Please provide details for your response:

Question 7. When reusable containers are introduced to the DRS, should their collection target increase over the first few years?

Yes, the return target for reusable containers should be set to increase over 3 years
Yes, the return target for reusable containers should be set to increase over 5 years
No, the return target for reusable containers should not increase over the first few years
Don’t know

Please provide details for your response:

Transitioning from single-use to reusable glass bottles

Question 8: Would gradually expanding of the range of drinks packaged in glass bottles to the DRS make it easier for industry move to reusable packaging?

Type of drink packaged in glass

	No - include from the start	Yes – transition into up to 3 years	Don’t know
Beer and cider including low/no alcohol options	Beer and cider including low/no alcohol options No - include from the start	Beer and cider including low/no alcohol options Yes – transition into up to 3 years	Beer and cider including low/no alcohol options Don’t know
Soft drinks	Soft drinks No - include from the start	Soft drinks Yes – transition into up to 3 years	Soft drinks Don’t know
Wine including low/no alcohol options	Wine including low/no alcohol options No - include from the start	Wine including low/no alcohol options Yes – transition into up to 3 years	Wine including low/no alcohol options Don’t know
Spirits (alcoholic strength of 15% volume or higher ) including low/no alcohol options	Spirits (alcoholic strength of 15% volume or higher ) including low/no alcohol options No - include from the start	Spirits (alcoholic strength of 15% volume or higher ) including low/no alcohol options Yes – transition into up to 3 years	Spirits (alcoholic strength of 15% volume or higher ) including low/no alcohol options Don’t know

How would it support the transition to reuse?

Question 9: To support higher reuse targets, should the DRS in Wales be expanded in future to include:

Additional types of containers (e.g. different materials, sizes, or reusable formats)?
Additional types of drinks within the existing container types (e.g. milk, juice, dairy-based drinks)?
Both?

Please provide details for your response:

Other levers to support the transition to reusables

Question 10: Which of these (or other) measures would be best to encourage and support producers to use reusable drinks containers in Wales?

Measures

	Yes	No	Don't know
Lower fees for producers using reusable containers	Lower fees for producers using reusable containers Yes	Lower fees for producers using reusable containers No	Lower fees for producers using reusable containers Don't know
Restrictions on products that can be sold in single-use containers	Restrictions on products that can be sold in single-use containers Yes	Restrictions on products that can be sold in single-use containers No	Restrictions on products that can be sold in single-use containers Don't know
Technical or financial support to help producers switch to reusable containers	Technical or financial support to help producers switch to reusable containers Yes	Technical or financial support to help producers switch to reusable containers No	Technical or financial support to help producers switch to reusable containers Don't know

Please provide details for your response:

Number of uses of a reusable container

Question 11: Which of the following best describes your view on the targets for the number of uses of reusable containers within the DRS as described:

	Yes	No	Don’t know
Minimum target of 8 uses for all materials	Minimum target of 8 uses for all materials Yes	Minimum target of 8 uses for all materials No	Minimum target of 8 uses for all materials Don’t know
Minimum target appropriate to the material	Minimum target appropriate to the material Yes	Minimum target appropriate to the material No	Minimum target appropriate to the material Don’t know
Minimum target for all materials should not be 8 (please specify)	Minimum target for all materials should not be 8 (please specify) Yes	Minimum target for all materials should not be 8 (please specify) No	Minimum target for all materials should not be 8 (please specify) Don’t know
A target should not be set	A target should not be set Yes	A target should not be set No	A target should not be set Don’t know

Please provide details for your response:

Bottle standardisation

Question 12. Do you agree that a DMO should be required to incentivise the use of standardised bottles and managed bottled pools (rather than the Welsh Government setting mandatory minimum targets for their use)?

Yes - DMO should incentivise
No – the Welsh Government should specify targets
No - other method for encouraging reuse
Don’t know

Please provide details for your response:

Receptacles for handling reusable drinks containers

Question 14: Do you agree that industry should decide whether to provide crates, bags or boxes for returned reusable bottles?

Yes
No, Welsh Government should specify this
No, other
Don’t know

Please provide details for your response:

Question 15: Do you agree that the proposed approach will ensure that the extra cost of managing reusable drinks containers as the scheme transitions to widespread reuse, is reflected in the return point operator handling fee?

Yes
No
Don’t know

Please provide details for your response:

Processing containers for reuse

Question 16: How can businesses, local government and the third sector in Wales support a DMO with collecting, transporting and processing reusable drinks containers?

Organisation type

	Collecting	Transporting	Processing
Local authorities	Local authorities Collecting	Local authorities Transporting	Local authorities Processing
Other public sector organisations	Other public sector organisations Collecting	Other public sector organisations Transporting	Other public sector organisations Processing
Private waste management companies	Private waste management companies Collecting	Private waste management companies Transporting	Private waste management companies Processing
Other private businesses	Other private businesses Collecting	Other private businesses Transporting	Other private businesses Processing
Charities, environmental groups and other third sector organisations	Charities, environmental groups and other third sector organisations Collecting	Charities, environmental groups and other third sector organisations Transporting	Charities, environmental groups and other third sector organisations Processing

Comment:

Question 17: How do you think the deposit level for reusable drinks container should compare to single-use containers?

Reusable container deposit should be higher than single-use
Reusable container deposit should be lower than single-use
Reusable container deposit should be the same as single-use
Don’t know

Please provide details for your answer:

Technology and innovation

Question 18. What processes, technology and/or innovation do you think could be used to make sure Wales’s DRS works well with other schemes? Please provide details/examples where available.

Area of innovation/technology

	Yes	No	Don’t know
Communications and engagement	Communications and engagement Yes	Communications and engagement No	Communications and engagement Don’t know
Container labelling	Container labelling Yes	Container labelling No	Container labelling Don’t know
Barcode/container scanning at return points	Barcode/container scanning at return points Yes	Barcode/container scanning at return points No	Barcode/container scanning at return points Don’t know
Barcode/container scanning elsewhere	Barcode/container scanning elsewhere Yes	Barcode/container scanning elsewhere No	Barcode/container scanning elsewhere Don’t know
Other tracking of containers	Other tracking of containers Yes	Other tracking of containers No	Other tracking of containers Don’t know
Data sharing with other schemes	Data sharing with other schemes Yes	Data sharing with other schemes No	Data sharing with other schemes Don’t know
Other	Other Yes	Other No	Other Don’t know

Details/examples:

The benefits of the Best for Wales DRS

Question 19: How can the Welsh Government and a DMO maximise the benefits to Wales from a DRS for single-use and reusable drinks containers?

Measures to maximise the benefits to Wales

Details/examples:

Question 20. How can we ensure that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Wales are supported, represented and can benefit from a reuse system for drinks containers?

Support to SMEs

	Yes	No	Don't know
SME drink producers
Focused engagement sessions/materials for SMEs in the lead up to the launch.	Focused engagement sessions/materials for SMEs in the lead up to the launch. Yes	Focused engagement sessions/materials for SMEs in the lead up to the launch. No	Focused engagement sessions/materials for SMEs in the lead up to the launch. Don't know
Access to low-cost reusable drinks containers that meet required quality standards.	Access to low-cost reusable drinks containers that meet required quality standards. Yes	Access to low-cost reusable drinks containers that meet required quality standards. No	Access to low-cost reusable drinks containers that meet required quality standards. Don't know
Centralised reusable drink container sorting and washing infrastructure.	Centralised reusable drink container sorting and washing infrastructure. Yes	Centralised reusable drink container sorting and washing infrastructure. No	Centralised reusable drink container sorting and washing infrastructure. Don't know
Other	Other Yes	Other No	Other Don't know
SME retailers
Focused engagement sessions/materials for SMEs in the lead up to the launch.	Focused engagement sessions/materials for SMEs in the lead up to the launch. Yes	Focused engagement sessions/materials for SMEs in the lead up to the launch. No	Focused engagement sessions/materials for SMEs in the lead up to the launch. Don't know
Financial support to purchase return point infrastructure and/or reconfigure retail spaces.	Financial support to purchase return point infrastructure and/or reconfigure retail spaces. Yes	Financial support to purchase return point infrastructure and/or reconfigure retail spaces. No	Financial support to purchase return point infrastructure and/or reconfigure retail spaces. Don't know
Collections from return points that are aligned with frequency needs to prevent build-up of containers.	Collections from return points that are aligned with frequency needs to prevent build-up of containers. Yes	Collections from return points that are aligned with frequency needs to prevent build-up of containers. No	Collections from return points that are aligned with frequency needs to prevent build-up of containers. Don't know
Other	Other Yes	Other No	Other Don't know
Other SMEs
Other	Other Yes	Other No	Other Don't know

Details/examples

Question 21: How can we make sure that communities in Wales benefit from a DRS for reusable drinks containers?

Benefits to communities in Wales

Support community events where large numbers of containers are collected, and deposits are claimed (such as organised litter picks)
Create local jobs and training opportunities
Run educational workshops for schools and communities
Integrate the DRS with other projects that support a circular economy
Arrange local groups to visit DRS facilities such as washing facilities

Observations:

Economic development opportunities

Question 22. Do you agree with these opportunities to maximise economic development?

Opportunity

	Yes	No	Don’t know
Sorting and washing facilities for reusable containers set up by a DMO in Wales	Sorting and washing facilities for reusable containers set up by a DMO in Wales Yes	Sorting and washing facilities for reusable containers set up by a DMO in Wales No	Sorting and washing facilities for reusable containers set up by a DMO in Wales Don’t know
Linking DRS facilities with other industrial processes	Linking DRS facilities with other industrial processes Yes	Linking DRS facilities with other industrial processes No	Linking DRS facilities with other industrial processes Don’t know
Locate near container producers and fillers	Locate near container producers and fillers Yes	Locate near container producers and fillers No	Locate near container producers and fillers Don’t know
Renewable energy sources	Renewable energy sources Yes	Renewable energy sources No	Renewable energy sources Don’t know
Waste and recycling infrastructure	Waste and recycling infrastructure Yes	Waste and recycling infrastructure No	Waste and recycling infrastructure Don’t know
Vacant public and private land or sites	Vacant public and private land or sites Yes	Vacant public and private land or sites No	Vacant public and private land or sites Don’t know
Enterprise zones	Enterprise zones Yes	Enterprise zones No	Enterprise zones Don’t know
Available water sources/discharge sites	Available water sources/discharge sites Yes	Available water sources/discharge sites No	Available water sources/discharge sites Don’t know
Transport links	Transport links Yes	Transport links No	Transport links Don’t know

Please provide details for your response:

	Yes	No
A fairer society
Maximise access to the scheme and ease of use of the scheme for all.	Maximise access to the scheme and ease of use of the scheme for all. Yes	Maximise access to the scheme and ease of use of the scheme for all. No
Create training and vocational opportunities for communities in Wales with low employment rates.	Create training and vocational opportunities for communities in Wales with low employment rates. Yes	Create training and vocational opportunities for communities in Wales with low employment rates. No
Support charitable causes with donated deposits.	Support charitable causes with donated deposits. Yes	Support charitable causes with donated deposits. No
Others	Others Yes	Others No
A greener society
Maximise the range of containers in scope for recycling and reuse.	Maximise the range of containers in scope for recycling and reuse. Yes	Maximise the range of containers in scope for recycling and reuse. No
Communicate the environmental benefits to incentivise consumer participation: e.g. reduced harm from lower levels of littering.	Communicate the environmental benefits to incentivise consumer participation: e.g. reduced harm from lower levels of littering. Yes	Communicate the environmental benefits to incentivise consumer participation: e.g. reduced harm from lower levels of littering. No
Set minimum environmental and/or operating emissions targets for the DRS.	Set minimum environmental and/or operating emissions targets for the DRS. Yes	Set minimum environmental and/or operating emissions targets for the DRS. No
Others	Others Yes	Others No
A more prosperous society
Incentives for producers to transition from single-use to reusable containers.	Incentives for producers to transition from single-use to reusable containers. Yes	Incentives for producers to transition from single-use to reusable containers. No
Incentives to locate infrastructure in geographical locations that will maximise economic development in Wales.	Incentives to locate infrastructure in geographical locations that will maximise economic development in Wales. Yes	Incentives to locate infrastructure in geographical locations that will maximise economic development in Wales. No
Support local industry/suppliers to access any tender opportunities that are made available by a DMO (e.g. sub-contractor opportunities).	Support local industry/suppliers to access any tender opportunities that are made available by a DMO (e.g. sub-contractor opportunities). Yes	Support local industry/suppliers to access any tender opportunities that are made available by a DMO (e.g. sub-contractor opportunities). No
Maximise employment and career development opportunities associated with DRS infrastructure.	Maximise employment and career development opportunities associated with DRS infrastructure. Yes	Maximise employment and career development opportunities associated with DRS infrastructure. No
Integrate with wider circular economy initiatives.	Integrate with wider circular economy initiatives. Yes	Integrate with wider circular economy initiatives. No
Others	Others Yes	Others No

Delivering a Best for Wales Deposit Return Scheme

Exemptions for low-volume producers – glass in DRS Question 1. Do you agree with the proposed approach to exempt glass product lines from the DRS for producers who meet the low-volume exemption threshold under pEPR?

The road to reuse Question 2: Do you agree that the drinks industry should develop the reuse roadmap, coordinated by a DMO?

Question 3a: continued

Question 5: What should the target level be set at beyond 2030 in order to ensure the scheme delivers a collection for recycling rate that is in line with the world's best? Please provide details for your response:

Question 6: When reusable containers are introduced, should the total number of containers (single-use and reusable) contribute to the same collection target?

Question 7. When reusable containers are introduced to the DRS, should their collection target increase over the first few years?

Transitioning from single-use to reusable glass bottles Question 8: Would gradually expanding of the range of drinks packaged in glass bottles to the DRS make it easier for industry move to reusable packaging? Type of drink packaged in glass

Question 9: To support higher reuse targets, should the DRS in Wales be expanded in future to include:

Other levers to support the transition to reusables Question 10: Which of these (or other) measures would be best to encourage and support producers to use reusable drinks containers in Wales? Measures

Number of uses of a reusable container Question 11: Which of the following best describes your view on the targets for the number of uses of reusable containers within the DRS as described:

Bottle standardisation Question 12. Do you agree that a DMO should be required to incentivise the use of standardised bottles and managed bottled pools (rather than the Welsh Government setting mandatory minimum targets for their use)?

Other minimum standards Question 13: Are there any other minimum standards that could be introduced to ensure that the reuse system delivers the aims of a circular economy, including the transition to zero waste and net zero carbon? If yes, please describe below.

Receptacles for handling reusable drinks containers Question 14: Do you agree that industry should decide whether to provide crates, bags or boxes for returned reusable bottles?

Question 15: Do you agree that the proposed approach will ensure that the extra cost of managing reusable drinks containers as the scheme transitions to widespread reuse, is reflected in the return point operator handling fee?

Processing containers for reuse Question 16: How can businesses, local government and the third sector in Wales support a DMO with collecting, transporting and processing reusable drinks containers? Organisation type

Question 17: How do you think the deposit level for reusable drinks container should compare to single-use containers?

Technology and innovation Question 18. What processes, technology and/or innovation do you think could be used to make sure Wales’s DRS works well with other schemes? Please provide details/examples where available. Area of innovation/technology

The benefits of the Best for Wales DRS Question 19: How can the Welsh Government and a DMO maximise the benefits to Wales from a DRS for single-use and reusable drinks containers? Measures to maximise the benefits to Wales

Question 20. How can we ensure that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Wales are supported, represented and can benefit from a reuse system for drinks containers? Support to SMEs

Question 21: How can we make sure that communities in Wales benefit from a DRS for reusable drinks containers? Benefits to communities in Wales

Economic development opportunities Question 22. Do you agree with these opportunities to maximise economic development? Opportunity

Exemptions for low-volume producers – glass in DRS

Question 1. Do you agree with the proposed approach to exempt glass product lines from the DRS for producers who meet the low-volume exemption threshold under pEPR?

The road to reuse

Question 2: Do you agree that the drinks industry should develop the reuse roadmap, coordinated by a DMO?

Question 5: What should the target level be set at beyond 2030 in order to ensure the scheme delivers a collection for recycling rate that is in line with the world's best?

Please provide details for your response:

Transitioning from single-use to reusable glass bottles

Question 8: Would gradually expanding of the range of drinks packaged in glass bottles to the DRS make it easier for industry move to reusable packaging?

Type of drink packaged in glass

Other levers to support the transition to reusables

Question 10: Which of these (or other) measures would be best to encourage and support producers to use reusable drinks containers in Wales?

Measures

Number of uses of a reusable container

Question 11: Which of the following best describes your view on the targets for the number of uses of reusable containers within the DRS as described:

Bottle standardisation

Question 12. Do you agree that a DMO should be required to incentivise the use of standardised bottles and managed bottled pools (rather than the Welsh Government setting mandatory minimum targets for their use)?

Other minimum standards

Question 13: Are there any other minimum standards that could be introduced to ensure that the reuse system delivers the aims of a circular economy, including the transition to zero waste and net zero carbon? If yes, please describe below.

Receptacles for handling reusable drinks containers

Question 14: Do you agree that industry should decide whether to provide crates, bags or boxes for returned reusable bottles?

Processing containers for reuse

Question 16: How can businesses, local government and the third sector in Wales support a DMO with collecting, transporting and processing reusable drinks containers?

Organisation type

Technology and innovation

Question 18. What processes, technology and/or innovation do you think could be used to make sure Wales’s DRS works well with other schemes? Please provide details/examples where available.

Area of innovation/technology

The benefits of the Best for Wales DRS

Question 19: How can the Welsh Government and a DMO maximise the benefits to Wales from a DRS for single-use and reusable drinks containers?

Measures to maximise the benefits to Wales

Question 20. How can we ensure that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Wales are supported, represented and can benefit from a reuse system for drinks containers?

Support to SMEs

Question 21: How can we make sure that communities in Wales benefit from a DRS for reusable drinks containers?

Benefits to communities in Wales

Economic development opportunities

Question 22. Do you agree with these opportunities to maximise economic development?

Opportunity