Sheffield – 13/03/2026: 

Glass industry calls for pause for clarity, consistency and consultation on Welsh DRS

British Glass has called for urgent clarification before the Welsh Government progresses with its proposal to include glass beverage packaging in a Wales-only Deposit Return Scheme from October 2027.

While the glass industry strongly supports high performing recycling and reuse systems, the current approach risks unintended consequences for consumers, businesses and the environment and is therefore asking for a pause in the legislative process.

The regulations leave key questions unanswered about how Producers will be charged between 2027 and 2031 for glass beverage container collections, particularly during the extended 0p deposit period up to October 2031 when no revenue from unredeemed deposits will be available. British Glass warns this could create substantial cost burdens and risks Producers paying twice if DRS and kerbside systems are not aligned. Since all financial drivers for glass remelt recycling and reuse are contained within the pEPR regulations, the Welsh Government risks deteriorated circularity outcomes with glass without introducing specific interventions to replace them.

Clarity is needed on how the Welsh scheme will interact with packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR), when Welsh glass producers continue to pay pEPR fees (until 2027) while other nations provide exemption for equivalent materials (plastic and aluminium) that are within scope of the DRS as soon as the regulations are passed into law. Clarity is also needed on how the ambitious 80% return target for 2030 will be enforced, as there will be no deposit to incentivise consumers to return glass beverage packaging to returns points.

British Glass is also concerned that last year’s consultation focused heavily on reuse and did not meaningfully seek views on the specific implications of Wales acting alone on glass from the other UK nations DRSs. Consultation responses and the Welsh Government’s response have also not yet been published.

Given the scale of change and proximity to the Senedd election, British Glass recommends a short pause to provide proper scrutiny, ensure a complete and transparent UK Internal Market Act (UKIMA) exclusion process, and establish a clearer assessment of costs, risks and system interactions.

Dr Nick Kirk, British Glass Federation Director said, “We fully support Wales’ ambition to improve recycling and reuse. But differing from the rest of the UK on glass without clear obligations or full consultation risks higher costs, reduced consumer choice and disruption to successful recycling systems.

“Stakeholders were never directly asked whether Wales should diverge from the rest of the UK by including glass, especially after the UK-wide approach was withdrawn in November 2024.

“A short, constructive pause would ensure the scheme is robust and fair, while delivering the environmental benefits Wales is aiming for.”

British Glass has set out these concerns to the Senedd Climate Change, Environment & Infrastructure Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, and is ready to work with the Welsh Government to achieve an effective solution.