Month: February 2026

The Natural Source Waters Association and its members have long supported a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers, and we have dedicated significant time and resource to making it a reality. The decision of the UK Governments on Wales’s application for an exemption for aspects of their scheme under UKIMA gives much needed clarity on what we, alongside others across industry are working hard to launch in October 2027. We urge all of the UK Governments to continue to work with us to deliver this important step as part of creating a low‑carbon, circular future across the UK.

You can find the Welsh Government statement on the decision below:

Written Statement: The Deposit Return Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026

The UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO), the not-for-profit body established by industry to design and deliver the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, has unveiled its trading name – Exchange for Change.

This announcement marks another important milestone in the delivery of the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme, which will go live in October 2027. Exchange for Change reflects the scheme’s core purpose: a simple exchange where people return their empty drinks containers to reclaim their deposit, and the wider impact that simple action has in reducing litter and keeping communities clean. It’s a straightforward transaction that leads to meaningful environmental change.

As part of this next phase of development, Exchange for Change has unveiled a new brand icon that will appear on all in-scope bottles, cans and return points associated with the Deposit Return Scheme. The icon has been designed to become the single, recognisable identifier of the scheme – making it easy for people to spot participating containers and return locations at a glance. This consistent visual marker will support correct participation at point of return and enable clear, unified messaging across packaging and infrastructure. The icon visually represents the deposit return process and works consistently across the full range of drinks containers covered by the scheme.

The DMO worked with Uncommon Creative Studio, a global creative agency with experience in major brand projects, on the development of the brand and logo.

Supporting businesses

Exchange for Change will work closely with drinks producers, retailers, wholesalers and hospitality to support the adoption of the scheme logo on labels and packaging. Formal issuance of the scheme logo and detailed guidance on how and when to apply it – including placement, sizing and approved formats – will be shared in the coming weeks, giving businesses time to prepare artwork updates ahead of the scheme’s introduction.

Under the regulations, the logo will be a required part of container design for drinks included in the scheme (PET plastic, aluminium and steel, 150ml-3l), helping customers recognise in-scope items and understand how to return them

Russell Davies, CEO Exchange for Change, said: “Our new name reflects what this scheme is about: making a simple change that has the power to transform streets, communities and recycling habits across the UK. The brand icon is intended to become synonymous with the scheme itself, providing a consistent visual cue that supports participation and helps drive cleaner streets and communities.

“We’re excited to take this next step and will keep working closely with partners across the UK, supporting them in preparing for the launch of the scheme and making sure that together we deliver real change and a scheme that works for everyone.”

Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK celebrated the halfway mark of its 10-year dedicated land stewardship programme with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust by hosting an event for volunteers at its bottling site in Buxton this week.

Spanning across 190 acres of land in Derbyshire, the partnership has focused on protecting and regenerating the former Lightwood Reservoir and former Cowdale Quarry, where some of the site’s water sources are based. Its objective is to help enhance biodiversity on the land, safeguard the quality of water underneath, and create lasting benefits for the local community.

The work could not have been achieved without the help of local volunteers working with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. To celebrate them and recognise their great effort, the volunteers were invited to an exclusive guided tour of the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust’s Visitor Experience to learn more about the history of Buxton town and its waters. They then enjoyed a tour of the BUXTON and NESTLÉ PURE LIFE waters bottling site and of the on-site wildflower meadow and community garden.

It was also an opportunity to learn more about Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK sustainability strategy and projects. In particular, the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust volunteers were the very first to see the new report summarising the brilliant land management work that has taken place over the past five years and spotlighting some of the people involved.

Kyle Winney, Living Landscape Officer, White Peak at the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “This partnership has delivered important impacts over the last five years. Lightwood and Cowdale are being restored making significant contributions to landscape-scale nature recovery and are important spaces that inspire and connect local communities to wildlife. With support from our incredible volunteers, we’re really proud of the progress we’ve made and excited to see these spaces deliver even more for nature and local people.”

Hannah Phillips, Factory Manager at Nestlé Waters Buxton, said: “Celebrating five years of partnership with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is a proud moment for us. Their expertise has helped us restore two incredible sites at Cowdale and Lightwood, which is supporting biodiversity, engaging our community, and safeguarding the quality of water for future generations. A huge thank you to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust team and all the dedicated volunteers that make all of this possible.”