The Welsh government has announced a 12-week consultation which aims to provide information about the new deposit return scheme (DRS) that prioritises glass drink containers.

The DRS aims to promote recycling and reuse of bottles, and Wales decided to include glass, separate from the UK’s plans.

Wales aims to prioritise reuse over traditional recycling methods, and the scheme is set to launch at a later date than the rest of the UK.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “Wales has always led by example on environmental action, and the deposit return scheme represents our next bold step forward.

“By putting reuse at the centre of our approach, we’re not just tackling waste – we’re creating a model that other nations can follow. This scheme will drive innovation, create green jobs, and help tackle both the climate and nature crises simultaneously.”

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However, the British Retail Consortium expressed its concern towards the new scheme, arguing that additional costs will impact retailers.

Andrew Opie, Director of Food and Sustainability at the BRC, said: “We (retailers) welcome the decision to align a scheme for metal and plastic containers, which makes it far more likely a four-nation system can be delivered and represents real progress towards a circular economy. However, we are not convinced by the current proposals for single-use glass. They risk adding unnecessary costs without delivering clear benefits for consumers or the environment.

“It would make far more sense to skip past this slightly antiquated approach and separately explore how we can expand the use of reusable glass containers, with industry already proposing a large-scale trial as an alternative.”