Written questions

Deposit Return Schemes: Rural Areas

Commons · Question 116666 · Tabled 27 Feb 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 5 Mar 2026

Question

Asked by John Milne

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that exemption arrangements under the Deposit Return Scheme are accessible to rural retailers.

Answer

Answered by Mary Creagh, 5 Mar 2026

The regulations set out rules requiring all grocery retailers that sell drinks that are included in the scheme to host a return point, unless they qualify for an exemption. Retailers, including those in rural communities, will be able to apply to the depo...