Your obligations
Deposit return scheme: what your shop must do
If you're a "groceries retailer" (a supermarket of any size, grocery store, convenience store, or a newsagent selling groceries) and you're not exempt, these are your duties from 1 October 2027. Last checked: 12 Oct 2026
In short: From 1 October 2027, a groceries retailer that isn't exempt must register with Exchange for Change, charge a 20p deposit on every in-scope drink, take back every in-scope empty a customer returns (wherever it was bought), refund the 20p, store the empties for collection and display information about the scheme. You're paid a handling fee for each empty: 3p by hand, or 5p by machine for the first 225,000 a year, then 1.3p. Phase 1 registration has been open since 29 September 2026; Phase 2 opens in January 2027.
The 4-page store manager pack comes with the paid DRS Ready Pack. Free now: the one-page explainer (PDF).
The nine duties, in plain English
From Exchange for Change's summary of the regulations. E4C criteria, section 1.3, p.4
1. Register
Register with Exchange for Change, unless you're an urban shop under 100 sq m (automatically exempt).
2. Sell registered drinks
Only sell in-scope drinks from producers registered with the scheme.
3. Check the logo
Make sure the drinks you sell carry the scheme logo and return code (barcode).
4. Charge the deposit
20p on every in-scope container, including 20p for each can in a multipack. E4C FAQ
5. Take back every empty
Take back every in-scope container a customer returns, not just ones you sold.
6. Refund the deposit
Pay back 20p per accepted container: at the till, or by machine voucher redeemed at the till.
7. Store for collection
Keep returned containers safe for Exchange for Change to collect.
8. Explain the scheme
Display information about how the scheme works.
9. Complaints & contact
Tell customers how to complain and how to contact Exchange for Change.
Exempt shops have display duties too. See notices. Hospitality, online retailers and vending machines don't have to run public return points. E4C criteria, p.12-13
Registering with Exchange for Change
- Phase 1: open now. It opened 29 September 2026. You give basic details, can save and come back, and get a reference number by email. E4C
- Phase 2: January 2027. More detail about your role in the scheme. You must complete both phases. E4C FAQ
- Keep it up to date. If your details change, you must tell Exchange for Change. E4C FAQ
Register on Exchange for Change's portal as a "Groceries Retailer / Return Point Operator". Exchange for Change's step-by-step guide (PDF) walks through each screen. CheersEmpties never registers for you or asks for your login.
Have these ready
- Company registration number (if you have one) and registered address
- Business name and trading name
- Business address and mailing address
- Main contact: name, email and job role
- VAT number (if any)
- For each shop: name, address, contact, opening hours, manual or machine return point, and whether you intend to apply for an exemption
- For a machine: model and serial number
Several shops? You can upload them in one go with a CSV, or add them after you submit. E4C guide, p.2, p.12-16, E4C FAQ
Not sure whether you need to register? Exchange for Change can't advise on individual businesses; its FAQ points you to your regulator: the Environment Agency, SEPA, DAERA or Natural Resources Wales.
Taking empties back: by hand or by machine
Both count as a return point. The handling fee differs. E4C FAQ
By hand (manual)
- Staff accept containers over the counter.
- The refund is given at the till.
- Containers are checked, bagged, tagged and stored, ready for collection.
- Handling fee: 3p per container.
Machine (reverse vending machine)
- The customer feeds in containers; the machine scans, checks and crushes them.
- It prints a voucher the customer redeems at your till, so it must link to your EPOS. RVM spec, p.6
- You provide power and internet.
- Handling fee: 5p per container up to 225,000 a year, then 1.3p.
What staff should accept or refuse is covered in Staff training.
Storage and collections
Exchange for Change arranges collection; you don't hire your own collector. Five firms were appointed on 30 September 2026. E4C Last checked: 12 Oct 2026
| Area | Collection and processing partner |
|---|---|
| North-East, North-West, West-Central and South West England | SUEZ |
| East Central, South and South East England | CIRQLR |
| London | Bywaters |
| Scotland | Re.Group (with Hargreaves Services) |
| Northern Ireland | Re-Gen |
| Wales | Not announced yet |
Only hand bags to official collectors. How often collections happen, and how to book them, isn't published yet. unconfirmed Plan space for full bags, especially around bank holidays.
Handling fees: what you're paid
| Return point | Fee per container |
|---|---|
| By hand (manual) | 3p |
| Machine, first 225,000 a year (Tier 1) | 5p |
| Machine, above 225,000 a year (Tier 2) | 1.3p |
The fee is meant to cover equipment for collecting and storing containers, staff training, and the rental value of the space used. It will be reviewed in early 2027 before launch, then every year. E4C, 2 Jun 2026 Last checked: 12 Oct 2026
How the deposit money flows
- Your wholesaler or supplier charges you 20p per container. E4C FAQ
- You charge your customer 20p per container.
- Customers bring empties back; you refund 20p each.
- The scheme pays you back the deposits you refunded, plus the handling fee. When and how isn't published yet. unconfirmed
Deposits should cancel out, but it's real cash going through your till. See how much for your shop.
Old stock around launch day
- Drinks filled before 1 October 2027 are outside the scheme. You can still sell them after launch with no deposit and no logo.
- Exchange for Change encourages selling them through by April 2028, but that's not a legal requirement.
- Containers bought before launch carry no deposit, so customers can't redeem them.
E4C transition update, 30 Sep 2026, E4C FAQ. Wales arrangements will follow.
Not published yet as of 12 Oct 2026
- How and when to apply for an exemption
- The exact wording of the notices for exempt shops (due early 2027)
- Who supplies bags and tags, and what they cost
- How often collections happen
- When retailers are paid deposits and fees, and how to dispute a count
- The list of certified machines (due October 2026)
- Full grant terms; Welsh exemption and transition rules
We'll update this page as Exchange for Change publishes. News & dates
Common questions
Do I have to register?
Yes, unless your shop is urban and has under 100 sq m of sales floor, which makes it exempt automatically. Shops planning to apply for an exemption must still register. Phase 1 opened on 29 September 2026 and Phase 2 opens in January 2027; you need to complete both.
Sources: E4C, registration opens, How to register
Can I refuse to take back some containers?
Yes, on set grounds: the container is dirty, not empty, damaged, or can't be identified as part of the scheme, or the customer brings an unusually large amount. A shop that doesn't sell alcohol for reasons of faith or belief can refuse alcoholic-drink containers.
Sources: reg. 10 (England and NI), E4C criteria, section 4.4, Staff training
What notice does an exempt shop have to display?
Exempt shops must tell customers that they don't take empties back and why, and where the nearest return point is so customers can get their deposit back. A shop that's been granted an exemption in England or Northern Ireland must also say how to find out about it. Exchange for Change will issue the notice in early 2027.
Sources: E4C criteria, sections 2.4 and 2.5, reg. 36 (England and NI)
Can I keep selling old stock after 1 October 2027?
Yes. Drinks filled before 1 October 2027 are outside the scheme and can still be sold, with no deposit and no logo. Exchange for Change suggests selling them through by April 2028, but that isn't a legal requirement.
Sources: E4C transition update