British Glass warns First Minister: Diverging Welsh deposit return scheme could hit consumers and disrupt UK market
British Glass has written directly to Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan warning that Wales risks creating serious disruption for consumers, businesses and recycling systems if glass beverage packaging is included in the Welsh deposit return scheme (DRS) while the other UK nations exclude glass beverage packaging.
In a letter sent today, British Glass, writing alongside Welsh businesses, businesses that supply glass beverage packaging into Wales, and trade associations, set out “significant concerns” about the proposed Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026, which would make Wales the only UK nation to include glass beverage containers in its DRS.
The organisation warned that such divergence from the rest of the UK could fragment supply chains, increase costs for Welsh consumers and potentially lead to products disappearing from Welsh shelves.
Dr Nick Kirk, Federation Director of British Glass, said the proposals risk creating a two-tier system that could damage the Welsh market.
“Wales is on the brink of becoming the only nation in the UK with a completely different approach to collecting glass by including glass beverage packaging in a deposit return scheme,” said Nick Kirk.
“This risks creating major disruption for producers supplying drinks across the UK. In practical terms, businesses may be forced to introduce Wales-only packaging or labels, increasing costs and complexity across the entire supply chain.”
Dr Kirk warned that the additional costs and operational barriers created by a separate system would ultimately be felt by consumers.
“The reality is that Welsh consumers could end up paying more for products or seeing certain glass-packaged drinks disappear from the market altogether,” he said.
“Even more concerning is the risk that producers shift away from glass into other packaging materials simply to avoid the complexity. That would be a backwards step environmentally.”
British Glass also raised concerns that the proposed regulations leave critical questions unanswered at a time when companies are making long-term investment decisions.
Uncertainties remain around how producers would fund glass collection during the transition period, whether glass producers would still face packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) fees while other materials in the DRS are exempt, and how kerbside collections would interact with a deposit-managed system.
The organisation also warned that the proposals could undermine Wales’ existing glass recycling success. Glass recycling in Wales currently operates an effective strong closed-loop remelt system, but the proposed DRS including glass, could remove key incentives that support high-quality recycling in Wales.
Dr Kirk said the industry supports deposit return schemes in principle but warned that alignment across the UK is essential.
“We support the introduction of a deposit return scheme for plastic, steel and aluminium drinks containers from 2027,” he said.
“But introducing a separate Welsh approach for glass beverage packaging risks creating confusion, unnecessary costs and serious unintended consequences for businesses and consumers alike.”
Today’s letter to the First Minister follows an earlier intervention from British Glass raising similar concerns with Senedd committees scrutinising the regulations.
Dr Kirk said the industry is seeking urgent engagement with the Welsh Government.
“We want to work constructively with the Welsh Government to deliver a deposit return scheme that supports environmental ambition without damaging supply chains, distorting packaging choices or putting Welsh consumers at a disadvantage.”
