Guide
Training your staff for the DRS
Staff need to know four things: what is in scope, the 20p deposit, how to accept and refund, and how to store empties. Last checked: 12 Oct 2026
In short: Staff need to know four things: what is in scope, the 20p deposit, how to accept and refund, and how to store empties. Staff should recognise in-scope containers: PET bottles and steel or aluminium cans, 150ml to 3 litres. They charge 20p per container and refund it on return. Accepted containers are checked, bagged, tagged and stored.
No official training course
The official guidance sets out what retailers must do. It does not prescribe a staff training course, so the points below are taken from those duties.
Source: GOV.UK: DRS retailer responsibilities
What to recognise
Single-use PET plastic bottles and steel or aluminium cans from 150ml to 3 litres. HDPE containers are excluded.
Source: GOV.UK: DRS retailer responsibilities
At the till
- Charge the 20p deposit per container, including each container in a multipack.
- Refund by voucher, card or cash.
Sources: Exchange for Change: flat 20p deposit; Exchange for Change FAQs; GOV.UK: DRS retailer responsibilities
Accepting empties
At a manual return point, staff check, bag, tag and store containers until collection.
Source: Exchange for Change FAQs
Telling customers
Retailers must display information about the scheme to customers.
Questions
Is staff training required by law?
The guidance sets out retailer duties but does not prescribe a training course.
What should staff check when taking an empty?
That it is an in-scope container, then bag, tag and store it.
Sources: GOV.UK: DRS retailer responsibilities; Exchange for Change FAQs
Do staff charge 20p on each can in a pack?
Yes. The deposit is per container.
Source: Exchange for Change FAQs