Reloop published the analysis ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, with the conclusions based on International Coastal Cleanup data from more than 80 countries.
Entitled ‘Littered with evidence’, the report found that the proportion of drinks items in the litter stream was 54% lower in countries with a DRS.
Among DRS-enforcing countries in Europe, plastic bottles accounted for an average of 0.5% of total litter in 2023, compared to 3.2% for those without a scheme.
A DRS is set to launch in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in October 2027 and will see a small additional cost placed on drinks bottles and cans to incentivise their return for recycling. Wales is also working on its own scheme separately, after withdrawing from the UK-wide process.
Similar schemes are already active in countries such as Germany, Norway and Finland where plastic bottle recycling rates of over 90%. Meanwhile, bottle recycling rates in the UK currently sit at around 70%.
Commenting on the findings, UK and Ireland director at Reloop Sarah Horner said: “This new global analysis provides clear and compelling evidence that well-designed deposit return schemes can play a vital role in reducing plastic pollution at source by helping to keep plastic bottles from reaching our seas.
“As world leaders meet in Nice to discuss policies on addressing marine pollution, it is important that they recognise the advantage of deposit return schemes as a vital tool for securing these environmental benefits.”
Catherine Gemmell, policy and advocacy manager at the Marine Conservation Society, lauded Reloop for producing one of the “most comprehensive international analyses to date” which confirmed the relationship between DRS and drinks litter.
“We know that deposit return schemes work in tackling litter. The scheme stops items like bottles and cans ending up in our seas and posing a threat to precious marine life like seals and seabirds,” Gemmell said.
“We are delighted that the scheme is progressing in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland ahead of the 2027 launch date – with Wales yet to confirm plans. We’re looking forward to seeing a reduction in this kind of litter on our beaches, which can’t come soon enough.”
