Ahead of the October 2027 launch of the UK’s DRS, the scheme administrator has announced ‘Exchange for Change’ as its new trading name.
Alongside the new trading name, Exchange for Change also has a new brand icon that will appear on every bottle, can and return point associated with the scheme.
The icon shows bottles and cans turning into coins and, the UK’s Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) says, is designed to reflect the full range of eligible containers within the scheme.
The UK’s DMO is the not-for-profit body established to design and deliver the scheme across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wales withdrew from a UK-wide scheme in 2024 due to time constraints that prevented the UK Government from considering a request for an exclusion from the Internal Market Act.
The administrator plans to formally share the scheme logo and detailed guidance on how and when to apply it, including placement, sizing and approved formats and colours, with businesses ‘in the coming weeks’.
Russell Davies, CEO of Exchange for Change, said: “Our new name reflects what this scheme is all about, and that’s making a simple change that has the power to transform streets, communities and recycling habits across the UK.”
“The scheme remains on track to go live in October 2027, and we look forward to working closely with partners across the UK as we move into the next phase.”
Industry reactions
Commenting on the announcement, Travis Way, Managing Director at EcoVend, said: “Public engagement will be one of the defining factors in whether the UK’s DRS succeeds, so giving it a clear, consumer-friendly identity is a significant and welcome step.”
“A scheme like DRS only works when consumers, producers and retailers are all aligned, and consistency in naming, branding and messaging will be critical to driving participation at scale.”
“With the October 2027 deadline approaching, 2026 will be the key preparation year for businesses, giving them a narrow but vital window to get systems, infrastructure and communications in place ahead of launch.”
Elise Seibold, Chief Operating Officer at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, commented: “We welcome this new identity for the UK Deposit Management Organisation, communicating the simple act of returning drinks containers for a deposit to help drive real environmental change.”
“Ahead of the October 2027 launch date, we are committed to working collaboratively to deliver a UK scheme that works for everyone – drinks producers, consumers, retailers and wholesalers alike.”
“Together, we can create a scheme that reduces litter, bolsters recycling efforts and shapes a more circular economy for our drinks containers.”
Louisa Goodfellow, Policy Manager at Ecosurety, said: “Early clarity for producers is absolutely essential, and the introduction of the new trading name and brand identity is an important step toward giving businesses the certainty they need to prepare for compliance.”
“We now look forward to further detail on key elements of the scheme, particularly around cost structures, reporting arrangements and retailer obligations. However, another important area where clarity is still needed is the extent to which Wales will align with the scheme being implemented across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.”
“The Welsh Government has been clear in its intention to include glass within its DRS and has sought an exemption from the UK Internal Market Act to proceed on that basis. Understanding how this will be resolved, and what it will mean for producers operating across the UK, remains a key question.”