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★Mark us as a preferred sourceThe UK Deposit Return Scheme launches in October 2027, and a new YouGov study shows that most British shoppers are ready to take part, even though many have never heard of it. According to the survey published on 23 October 2026, 71% of supermarket shoppers say they would be likely to return empty drinks containers to reclaim the 20p deposit. The detailed figures, however, also show that intention alone is not enough: distance to return points, queues and lost time could quickly erode that willingness. Below we summarise the key findings and compare them with the experience of deposit return systems already running across Europe.
In short: Willingness to use the UK Deposit Return Scheme is high, with 71% of British shoppers saying they would return drinks containers, even though 61% have never heard of the scheme. Convenience will be the key to success: 84% would use a collection service alongside household recycling, while distance to return points is the biggest deterrent.
UK Deposit Return Scheme: low awareness, high willingness to take part
According to YouGov, awareness of the scheme is still surprisingly low. 61% of UK supermarket shoppers have never heard of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), another 24% know little about how it works, and only 13% describe themselves as very or fairly familiar with it.
Willingness to participate, by contrast, is strong. 71% of respondents say they would be likely to return empty drinks containers to get their 20p deposit back, and only 13% say they would be unlikely to take part. Willingness is high across every age group, ranging from 67% among 35–44-year-olds to 76% among 18–24-year-olds.
The results suggest that Britons are open to the new system, but the communication task still lies ahead: over the coming months, most consumers will need to learn what can be returned, where, and how.
Outside the store, inside the store, or from home?
One of the most interesting questions in the research was where shoppers would prefer to hand back their empty bottles and cans. Most would tie returns to supermarkets, with 57% in total favouring machines located at stores. Of these, 35% would choose machines outside supermarkets or grocery shops and 22% machines inside. Local convenience stores appeal to 11%, and dedicated recycling points to 8%.
Even more popular, however, are options that require no separate trip at all. 84% of respondents say they would be likely to use a collection service alongside regular household recycling. Dedicated home collection appeals to 75%, and collection via grocery deliveries to 61%. For the latter, the age gap is significant: 73% of 25–34-year-olds would use it, compared with 51% of those aged 55 and over.
Easy returns as a competitive edge for retailers
The survey suggests the Deposit Return Scheme could also influence where people shop. 64% of respondents say they would be more likely to shop at a retailer that makes it easy to return drinks containers and reclaim their deposit.
The effect is strongest among younger shoppers: convenient return facilities would attract 77% of 18–24-year-olds. Among those aged 55 and over the figure is 55%, while 35% of this group say such facilities would make no difference to their shopping decisions.
This is an important message for retailers: a reverse vending machine is not only mandatory infrastructure, it can also be a tool for winning customers, particularly younger ones.
Card or cash: how shoppers want their deposit back
When it comes to refunds, Britons clearly prefer direct payouts over retailer-specific rewards. 43% would like the money returned to their payment card or digital wallet, and 25% would prefer cash. Retailer vouchers appeal to only 10% and loyalty points to 9%, while just 4% would donate their deposit to charity.
Digital refunds are especially popular among younger shoppers: 54% of 25–34-year-olds and 52% of 18–24-year-olds prefer this option, compared with 34% of those aged 55 and over.
European examples show that digital solutions are indeed spreading quickly: Lidl Portugal has integrated container returns into its Lidl Plus app, while at Hungary’s REpont machines users can choose between a store voucher, an instant bank transfer and a charitable donation. There is a striking contrast here: only 4% of British shoppers would donate, yet in Hungary more than HUF 482 million has been raised for charity since the system launched, as we reported in our article on MOHU REpont donations in the first half of 2026.
Distance, queues and lost time: the biggest barriers
Despite strong stated willingness, practical barriers pose a real risk. The most frequently cited deterrent, mentioned by 61%, is return points being too far away. Queues would put off 49%, and the time involved in making returns 42%.
Uncertainty also plays a role: 36% would be deterred by not knowing where or how to return containers. Storing empties at home would bother 30%, and carrying them to a return point 29%.
These concerns are broadly similar across age groups, with one exception: people aged 55 and over are more likely to be put off by queues than 18–24-year-olds (52% vs. 39%). Only 7% say nothing would stop them from returning containers.
What can the UK learn from Europe’s working schemes?
The YouGov data align closely with what we see in schemes already in operation: where returning containers becomes part of everyday routines, high return rates follow quickly. Romania’s deposit return system reached an 82% return rate in the first half of 2026, with its collection network covering 92% of settlements with more than 1,500 inhabitants, tackling precisely the distance barrier that British shoppers see as the biggest problem.
In Portugal, the scheme launched in April 2026 passed 10 million returned containers in its first two months, with returns typically made on Sundays, combined with regular shopping trips. Hungary, meanwhile, offers a technological answer to queues: bulk-feed reverse vending machines that can process up to a hundred bottles in a single go.
The lesson is clear: the success of the UK Deposit Return Scheme will not depend on consumer attitudes, which are already favourable. It will depend far more on whether, by October 2027, a dense, fast and clearly communicated return network is in place, one that fits existing shopping and waste collection habits.
Survey methodology
YouGov’s online survey was conducted on 28–29 September 2026 among a nationally representative sample of 2,048 adults aged 18+ in the United Kingdom who do their grocery shopping at a supermarket. Figures were weighted by age, gender, education, region and social grade, based on the latest ONS population estimates.
UK Deposit Return Scheme – frequently asked questions
When does the UK Deposit Return Scheme start, and how much is the deposit?
The UK Deposit Return Scheme launches in October 2027 and introduces a refundable 20p deposit on eligible drinks containers. Shoppers pay the deposit at purchase and get it back when they return the empty bottle or can. According to YouGov’s autumn 2026 survey, 71% of UK supermarket shoppers say they would be likely to do so.
How aware are British shoppers of the Deposit Return Scheme?
Awareness is still low: according to YouGov, 61% of UK supermarket shoppers have never heard of the scheme, and another 24% know little about how it works. Only 13% describe themselves as very or fairly familiar with it. Despite this, willingness to take part is high in every age group, ranging from 67% to 76%.
Where would British shoppers prefer to return bottles and cans?
Most would prefer supermarkets: 35% favour machines outside stores and 22% machines inside. Collection alongside regular household recycling is even more popular, with 84% saying they would be likely to use it. Dedicated home collection appeals to 75% of respondents, and collection via grocery deliveries to 61%, especially among 25–34-year-olds.
What could stop British shoppers from returning containers?
Distance is the biggest barrier: 61% say return points being too far away would put them off. Queues would deter 49% and the time involved 42%, while 36% would be discouraged by uncertainty about where or how to return containers. Storing empties at home would bother 30%, and carrying them 29%.
How do British shoppers want to receive their deposit refunds?
Most want direct refunds: 43% prefer money paid to their card or digital wallet, and 25% prefer cash. Retailer vouchers appeal to just 10% and loyalty points to 9%, while only 4% would donate their deposit to charity. Digital refunds are most popular with younger shoppers, chosen by 54% of 25–34-year-olds.
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