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Deposit Return Schemes: Disability

Asked by James NaishLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 29 June 2026UIN 12462

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her department are taking to ensure that the Deposit Return Scheme will be accessible for those with disabilities and limited mobility.

Answered by Mary Creagh

Defra has published an Equality Impact Assessment of the Deposit Return Scheme. Officials have worked with the Cabinet Office Disability Unit and the Government Equalities Office and with disability groups, including Disability Rights UK to learn from their experiences.

We are working with the UK Deposit Management Organisation, Exchange for Change, to share recommendations to inform the design of the scheme, including a widespread and accessible return point network making it as easy as possible for people to return their containers. The regulations enable home takeback services. We will work with industry to monitor implementation of this.

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