The UK’s deposit return scheme (DRS) launches in October 2027, aiming to push recycling rates above 90%. But there’s a problem: without the right infrastructure for small retailers, the system risks creating a “postcode lottery” where some communities have easy access while others don’t.
CMB RVM Solutions – a partnership between CMbE, Returmatic Solutions, and Pure Recycle – launched on 7 October 2024 to solve this: make reverse vending accessible for every shop, big or small.
The small shop challenge
The DRS will place a small, refundable deposit on empty plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans. Consumers will be able to reclaim their money by returning the containers for recycling.
Large retailers can easily accommodate traditional reverse vending machines (RVMs). But what about corner shops, independent grocers, or small-town convenience stores? An open letter signed by environmental advocates, parliamentarians (including Baroness Margaret Ritchie and Joanna Ruxton MBE) warns: “Local shops are the backbone of many communities. But under the current framework, large sections of the population could be left without a practical way to return their bottles putting convenience, and the environment, at a disadvantage.”
The solution: compact, mobile, accessible
Andrew Truelove, senior vice president at CMBE, said: “Our Made in Britain RVMs will help shops play their full part in the DRS. Independent retailers are ready to help tackle the packaging crisis, but they need the right support.
The coalition is calling on the UK’s Deposit Management Organisation to prioritize small retailer support, including funding for compact RVMs and strategic placement in transport hubs, stadiums, festivals, and pubs.
Why inclusivity matters
“If the DRS is to succeed, it must be inclusive. This is our chance to build a truly circular system, but only if all retailers, big and small, are empowered to play their part”, says Andrew Truelove.
European systems prove this works. Finland achieved nearly 100% return rates for aluminum cans in 2024, with 99% overall system efficiency. These results come from ubiquitous return points and reliable machines designed for actual consumer behavior.
