\n<\/p>\n
Gruffydd said: “The scheme will include plastic (PET), metal and glass drinks containers from day one, but in line with the Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026, a four-year transition period will apply to glass drinks containers, during which glass drinks containers will be exempt from labelling requirements and carry a zero pence deposit.”<\/p>\n
He added the DRS would “tackle litter while supporting the collection of high-quality recycled materials” and would “help provide a pathway towards the roll-out of reuseable drinks containers” in Wales.<\/p>\n
The drinks industry welcomed the appointment of Exchange for Change, which was “a crucial milestone in delivering a successful DRS by October 2027” according to British Soft Drinks Association director general Andy Bagnall.<\/p>\n
Bagnall warned that preparations were “already well advanced for launching the DRS in October 2027 for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland”, and “delivering the scheme in Wales within such a short timeframe means there can be no further delays”.<\/p>\n
He said the Welsh government’s decision “to include glass from day one also creates significant additional operational complexity” and called on ministers to be “realistic about what’s possible” before launching.<\/p>\n
Exchange for Change called it an “important milestone” that would help deliver an “effective and efficient scheme”.<\/p>\n
The company said the DRS was a “transformational opportunity to change how we manage waste in the UK”, adding it was “looking forward to working closely with the Welsh government to take the scheme forward”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n