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Regulatory & Legal 30 Oct 2026

Exchange For Change publishes certified reverse vending machine list for UK DRS

Exchange For Change, the industry-led body delivering the UK's deposit return scheme, has published its first list of reverse vending machines (RVMs) certified for the scheme, alongside artwork guidance for branding and signage. Each machine was tested against 77 requirements by an independent assessor. The scheme is due to launch on 1 October 2027, and intended producer fees are zero until December 2028.

Why this mattersCertification clarifies which RVM models retailers can safely procure, removing a key uncertainty for UK retailers planning deposit return infrastructure ahead of 2027.

  • Exchange For Change has published its first list of reverse vending machines certified for the UK deposit return scheme.
  • Each machine was tested against 77 separate requirements by an independent specialist assessment provider.
  • The UK deposit return scheme is set to launch on 1 October 2027.
  • Intended producer fees are zero from October 2027 to December 2028.
  • From January 2029 producer fees are expected to rise to USD 0.008 (GBP 0.006) per unit for aluminium and steel containers and USD 0.031 (GBP 0.023) per unit for PET containers.
  • A grant scheme is available to help eligible small independent retailers buy a reverse vending machine.
Exchange for Change
Sources Packaging Europe
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Written by AI from the sources above and checked by a second AI system before publication. No human wrote or edited this story. How it is made.

Updates

  • 2026-10-31 · Edited before publication: The source gives no publication date, so the 30 October 2026 date was removed. Sustainability & Circularity added as a topic: the story concerns a deposit return scheme.
  • 2026-10-31 · Edited before publication: Producer fees were given in pence with no USD conversion. Converted at GBP 1 = USD 1.3399. The summary said fees were being 'finalised', but the source says the intended fees have been announced. Corrected.