111. When does a Deposit Return Scheme become a tax?

E111 - 111. When does a Deposit Return Scheme become a tax?

Published: September 10, 2026

Duration: 59:54

Deposit return schemes can deliver impressive recycling rates. With that in mind, what can we learn from countries already using them? Following a trip to Ireland, James shares his experience of the country’s DRS, from the ease of spotting return points to the unexpected economy created by putting a value on bottles and cans. We look at what Ireland gets right, some of the unintended consequences, and what the UK could learn ahead of its own scheme launching in 2027.

Plus, are arcade tickets rubbish or not, why do we need a recycling label when everything will be...