Suez awarded contract for UK’s deposit return scheme

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 1, 2026

French utility company Suez has been selected as one of five firms to manage the UK’s deposit return scheme launching in October 2027, which introduces a 20 pence refundable deposit on single-use beverage containers. This contract, Suez’s largest in the UK, will support the creation of 700 jobs and six new recycling facilities, boosting the country’s waste management infrastructure and recycling efforts.

The French utility company Suez has been chosen as one of five waste management and recycling firms to implement the United Kingdom’s upcoming deposit return scheme. The program, overseen by the independent, industry-led organisation Exchange for Change, is set to launch in October 2027. It will introduce a 20 pence deposit on single-use plastic, aluminium, and steel beverage containers.

According to Exchange for Change, the contracts awarded to the selected companies will unlock significant investment in the waste management sector across the UK. The initiative is expected to create approximately 700 new jobs and establish six new processing facilities nationwide. Suez described the agreement as its largest contract in the UK to date.

The deposit return scheme aims to encourage recycling by requiring consumers to pay a small deposit on certain drink containers, which is refunded when the containers are returned. The programme is part of a broader effort to reduce plastic pollution and improve recycling rates in the UK. The companies involved will be responsible for the collection, processing, and recycling infrastructure necessary to support the scheme’s implementation and long-term operation.

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