DRS – Return to Value

Byline: Jason Galley, MPMA director and chief executive 

UKPackaging Expo 2025, the first dedicated conference for industry leaders in the north of the UK was held recently in Manchester and saw stakeholders from across the value chain come together to explore the critical issues that are driving the future of the packaging industry. 

Among the keynote speakers which included more than 20 industry experts from a variety of sectors within the industry, Jason Galley, MPMA director and chief executive took centre stage to examine the superior circularity credentials of metal packaging, and showcase the potential steel and aluminium offers for brands as a versatile and innovative packaging canvass.  

Exciting, bold graphics and the clever use of finishes to create strong shelf impact and encourage sales are just some of the ways in which brands today are leveraging the opportunities that metal packaging provides and are testament to the versatility of metal packaging to support brands’ commercial goals in an increasingly competitive and challenging marketplace. 

At the same time, using resources more efficiently, avoiding spoilage and improving the recovery of materials has always been key to the metal packaging industry’s continuing success. The sustainability of the metal packaging industry is driven by recycling and day two of the conference saw Jason leading a panel discussion: DRS – Return to Value. 

Among the panel were key industry figures including Helen Bingham from Keep Britain Tidy, Alexandra Williams of Novelis UK, Alex Proudfoot from the UK Deposit Management Organisation and Norman Lett from the Ardagh Group, also representing Can Makers UK. 

The UK Government’s stated commitment to launch the Deposit Return Scheme in October 2027 marked a pivotal step towards a circular economy and the panel explored how DRS has the potential to be a ‘hero win’, as well as a defining moment in how we rethink packaging in addition to how, collectively, we can turn waste into value and ensure recycling behaviours become second nature.  

Through extensive consultation, collaboration, and drawing on valuable insights from European counterparts, we now have a considered scheme that will capitalise on the circularity and permanent material status of metal packaging to deliver increased recycling rates and further decarbonisation. The next priority is to ensure interoperability across the devolved administrations of the UK. Indeed, it was greatly encouraging to see the Welsh Government actively exploring other options to achieve the measures set out in its ambitious Beyond Recycling circular economy strategy following the launch of its consultation on the development of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) including reuse, in August this year. 

MPMA remains confident that the same spirit of co-operation, innovation and shared ambition to achieve a more circular economy will lead to a successful outcome and a more sustainable future for all. 

Ends.