Reverse vending machines UK shoppers will soon use every week take back empty bottles and cans and pay you for them. Instead of selling a product, the machine accepts one and returns a deposit.

They are about to become far more common. The UK’s deposit return scheme is due to launch in October 2027, and supermarkets across the country are preparing to install machines. This guide explains how they work, where to find them, what the scheme involves and what it means for businesses.

What are reverse vending machines?

Reverse vending machines UK retailers use are self-service machines that collect empty drinks containers for recycling. You feed in a bottle or can, the machine checks it and you receive a voucher, a payment or a credit.

Reverse vending machines UK shoppers use work the opposite way to a normal vending machine. A regular machine takes your money and gives you a product, while a reverse machine takes the empty container and gives you money back.

Countries such as Germany, Norway and Lithuania have used them for years as part of national deposit schemes. The UK is now following, and reverse vending machines UK-wide will be central to its scheme.

How reverse vending machines UK stores install will work

Reverse vending machines UK retailers install will use the same basic steps as machines abroad. The process takes a few seconds per container.

1. Insert the container: place the empty bottle or can into the opening, usually one at a time.
2. Scan and check: the machine reads the barcode and deposit marking, and checks the shape and material.
3. Accept or reject: containers that are in scope are accepted, while others are returned to you.
4. Compact and store: many machines crush cans and bottles to save space inside.
5. Get your deposit back: the machine prints a voucher to spend in store or pays the refund another way.

For reverse vending machines UK stores install, containers usually need to be empty and reasonably intact, with a readable barcode. Badly crushed or damaged containers may be rejected because the machine can’t identify them.

Types of reverse vending machines UK retailers can choose

Not every store needs the same machine. Reverse vending machines UK retailers install come in several formats, depending on space and volume.

Single-feed machines

The most common type takes one container at a time through a front opening. They suit most supermarkets and larger convenience stores.

Bulk-feed machines

Bulk machines let shoppers tip a bag of containers in at once. They are faster for big returns and suit large stores with heavy footfall.

Compact machines

Smaller machines are designed for convenience stores with limited floor space. They hold fewer containers, so they need emptying more often.

Outdoor and through-the-wall machines

Some reverse vending machines UK stores install will sit outside or be built into a wall, with storage behind. This keeps returns away from the shop floor.

The UK deposit return scheme explained

The deposit return scheme, often shortened to DRS, adds a small refundable deposit to the price of drinks in single-use containers. You get the deposit back when you return the empty container.

The UK’s four governments set out the plan in a joint policy statement. These are the key facts confirmed so far:

Detail	What has been confirmed
Launch date	October 2027
Deposit	Flat 20p per container (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland)
Materials	PET plastic bottles, steel cans and aluminium cans
Sizes	150ml to 3 litres
Glass	Included in Wales only
Administrator	Exchange for Change (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland)

There are three legally separate schemes: one for England and Northern Ireland, one for Scotland and one for Wales. They are designed to work together so shoppers see a consistent system.

Exchange for Change chose a 20p deposit after research suggested lower amounts would not motivate enough returns. Higher amounts were judged to add too much to the price of a drink.

Where to find reverse vending machines in the UK

Until the scheme launches, reverse vending machines UK shoppers can use are limited to trials and pilots. From October 2027, they will be much easier to find.

Supermarkets and convenience stores

Under the policy statement, supermarkets and convenience stores that sell in-scope drinks must act as return points from day one. Larger stores are expected to use reverse vending machines UK suppliers provide, while some smaller shops may take containers back by hand.

Exempt shops

Urban shops of 100 square metres or less are exempt from hosting a return point. Stores can also apply for an exemption on health and safety grounds, or if another return point is nearby.

Voluntary return points

Hospitality venues, food-to-go shops, schools, gyms, community centres and mobile caterers don’t have to host a return point. They can apply to host a voluntary one if they want to.

Once the scheme is live, Exchange for Change and the major retailers are expected to publish details of return points. Check their websites closer to launch for reverse vending machines UK locations near you.

What retailers get paid for reverse vending machines UK sites host

Retailers that host return points or reverse vending machines UK-wide receive a handling fee for every container they take back. Exchange for Change confirmed the starting fees in June 2026.

Return method	Handling fee per container
Reverse vending machine (up to 225,000 containers a year)	5p
Reverse vending machine (above 225,000 containers a year)	1.3p
Manual return point	3p

The fees for reverse vending machines UK retailers host are meant to cover the cost of space, equipment and staff time. Exchange for Change has said it will review them before launch and on an ongoing basis.

How much do reverse vending machines cost?

Prices for reverse vending machines UK retailers buy vary widely with size, capacity and features. Many retailers lease or rent machines rather than buy them outright, and service contracts usually cover maintenance and collection.

Handling fees from Exchange for Change are designed to help cover these costs. A grant has also been reported to help small retailers install machines, so check what support is available before you commit.

Ask suppliers about the total cost over several years, including servicing, emptying and repairs. Compare that with the handling fees you expect to earn from your likely return volumes.

Reverse vending machines UK timeline

The UK scheme has been delayed more than once. The four governments originally aimed for October 2025, then agreed a revised timeline to launch in October 2027.

• Earlier plans: a UK-wide launch was first targeted for October 2025.
• Revised timeline: the governments agreed to launch in October 2027.
• April 2026: Exchange for Change confirmed a flat 20p deposit.
• June 2026: handling fees for reverse vending machines UK retailers host were confirmed.
• October 2027: the scheme is due to go live.

Dates can still move, so check the latest government and Exchange for Change updates before making investment decisions.

Wales and glass

Wales is running its own scheme on the same October 2027 timeline, but it includes glass bottles. That means reverse vending machines UK retailers install in Wales may need to handle glass as well as plastic and cans.

Industry groups have raised concerns about the extra complexity for businesses that trade on both sides of the border. Retailers in Wales should check which containers their machines must accept.

Tips for using reverse vending machines UK stores install

Once the scheme is live, a few simple habits will make returns quicker.

• Keep containers whole: don’t crush them, so the barcode stays readable.
• Empty them first: leftover liquid can cause the machine to reject a container.
• Leave caps on if asked: follow the instructions on the machine.
• Look for the deposit mark: only containers sold under the scheme carry a refundable deposit.
• Use your voucher: many machines print a voucher to spend in store, so check how the refund is paid.

Should your site host reverse vending machines UK shoppers can use?

If you run a supermarket or convenience store that sells in-scope drinks and isn’t exempt, you will need a return point. The question is whether to use a machine or take containers back by hand.

• Space: machines need floor space, power and room for collected containers.
• Volume: busy stores will find a machine much faster than manual returns.
• Staff time: machines reduce the time staff spend counting and storing containers.
• Hygiene: returned containers can be sticky, so plan for cleaning and bin collection.
• Footfall: people returning containers often buy something while they are in store.

Gyms, leisure centres, schools and offices can volunteer to host a return point. It can be a useful service for members and staff, but check the space, cost and collection arrangements first.

Reverse vending machines UK workplaces and leisure sites could host

Offices, gyms, schools and leisure centres don’t have to host a return point, but some will choose to. Voluntary reverse vending machines UK workplaces host can make recycling easier for staff and visitors.

A large office or warehouse with its own drinks machines could collect containers on site, so staff don’t need to carry empties home. Our guides to vending machines for offices and vending machines for warehouses cover the drinks side of these sites.

Before applying, think about who will empty the machine, where collected containers will be stored and how often they will be picked up. For many smaller sites, a well-placed recycling bin next to the drinks machine will be enough until reverse vending machines UK stores host are widespread nearby.

Reverse vending machines UK vs regular vending machines

Reverse vending machines UK sites host and regular vending machines do very different jobs. Here is how they compare:

The two can work side by side. A gym or leisure centre could sell drinks from a regular machine and host a voluntary return point for the empties.

What the deposit return scheme means for vending operators

Many vending machines sell drinks in plastic bottles and cans that fall within the scheme. Operators should plan ahead so the change doesn’t catch them out.

• Pricing: in-scope drinks are expected to carry the 20p deposit, so plan how this will show in your prices. Check the final Exchange for Change guidance for vending sales.
• Price points: adding 20p may push some drinks to new price levels, which is easy on a card-ready machine.
• Product mix: some operators may review the balance between cans, bottles and other drinks.
• Customer questions: expect customers to ask where they can return empties, so know your nearest return point.
• Labelling: in-scope containers will carry deposit markings, so stock should be bought from suppliers ready for the scheme.

Card payment makes price changes much simpler. With Irelley, card payment with telemetry costs £10 a month plus 2% per transaction, and our vending machine contactless payment UK guide explains how it works.

For other rule changes affecting operators, see our guide to vending machine regulations in the UK. England also plans to stop high-caffeine energy drinks being sold from vending machines from April 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval.

Recycling tips for vending machine sites

You don’t need reverse vending machines UK supermarkets use to help customers recycle. A few simple steps make a difference at any vending site.

• Place a recycling bin next to the machine: clearly labelled for cans and plastic bottles.
• Empty it regularly: overflowing bins look untidy and attract pests.
• Choose recyclable packaging: cans and PET bottles are widely recycled.
• Keep the area clean: sticky spills and litter put customers off buying.

Our guide on how to clean a vending machine covers keeping the machine and its surroundings tidy.

The future of reverse vending machines UK

The deposit return scheme is one of the biggest changes to UK drinks packaging in decades. Thousands of return points and reverse vending machines UK-wide are expected once it launches.

Makers of reverse vending machines UK retailers will use are already taking large orders, and a grant has been reported to help smaller shops install machines. Expect reverse vending machines UK shoppers can use to appear in most large supermarkets within the first year.

For wider changes in the sector, read our guide to vending machine industry trends in the UK.

Common questions about returning containers

Do containers need to be clean?

They should be empty, but you don’t need to wash them. Keep them in good shape so the barcode can be read.

Can I return containers bought elsewhere?

Yes. Under a deposit return scheme, you can usually return in-scope containers to any return point, not just the shop where you bought them.

What if a machine rejects my container?

It may be out of scope, too damaged or missing a readable barcode. Containers bought before the scheme starts won’t carry a deposit, so they can’t be refunded.

Choosing regular vending machines from Irelley

Irelley doesn’t supply reverse vending machines UK retailers will install, but we do supply the machines that sell drinks and snacks at the same sites. Our range includes drinks machines such as the Crane water bottle machine, Coca-Cola modern bottle machine and cold drinks can machine.

Browse our vending machines for sale, with prices from £695 and free delivery and installation anywhere in the UK, usually within 24 hours. Our vending machine payment plans start with a 25% deposit, with the balance over up to 12 months at 0%.

Every machine comes with a 12-month warranty covering parts and remote support. Contact our team to find the right machine for your site, or read our guide to vending machine locations in the UK.