Drinks Litter on Beaches Drops by 54% in DRS Regions
Deposit Return Schemes Cut Beach Litter by Over Half, Global Study Shows
New global research has confirmed what environmental experts have long suspected – deposit return schemes (DRS) significantly reduce litter on coastlines. According to a comprehensive analysis by circular economy NGO Reloop, areas that have introduced DRS have seen an average 54% decrease in drinks-related litter on beaches.
The study draws on data collected by the International Coastal Cleanup initiative, covering more than 80 countries worldwide.
Clear Drop in Litter from Bottles and Cans
Reloop’s report, titled Littered with Evidence, shows a stark contrast in drinks packaging waste between regions with and without deposit return systems.
In countries where DRS has been implemented:
- Plastic drinks bottles made up 63% less of the litter stream
- Beverage cans were found 40% less frequently
- Glass bottles appeared 41% less often
Within Europe, the difference is especially striking. In 2023, plastic bottles accounted for just 0.5% of litter in countries with DRS, compared to 3.2% in those without.
Ireland’s Results One Year In
Ireland introduced its own deposit return scheme in February 2024, and the impact has been swift. A national litter survey carried out in June 2024 recorded a 30% reduction in drinks can litter and a 20% fall in plastic bottle litter.
According to Coastwatch Ireland’s annual survey, the country is now seeing the lowest number of bottles and cans on its shores in 25 years – dropping from over 100 per kilometre in 2010 to fewer than eight in 2024.
What This Means for the UK
The UK is preparing to roll out its own DRS in October 2027, across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Countries like Germany, Norway, and Finland, where DRS has been active for years, already boast recycling rates of over 90% for plastic bottles. In contrast, the UK’s current rate sits at around 70%.
Environmental advocates are now pointing to this growing body of global evidence as a compelling reason to ensure the UK’s upcoming system is both comprehensive and efficient.
A Proven Solution for Plastic Pollution
Sarah Horner, UK & Ireland Director at Reloop, commented:
“This report clearly shows that when deposit return schemes are properly designed, they’re highly effective in keeping plastic out of our oceans and off our beaches.”
Catherine Gemmell from the Marine Conservation Society added:
“We’ve seen first-hand how DRS helps protect marine life. This report is one of the strongest international cases yet for introducing these schemes everywhere.”
As the UK moves toward the launch of its own DRS, the evidence is undeniable: countries already using the system have dramatically cleaner coastlines and higher recycling rates. If rolled out effectively, deposit return schemes could be a major step toward tackling plastic pollution at its source.