The UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO), the body that will manage the new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use plastic and metal drinks containers in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England, has appointed John Bason as chair.
The UK DMO is a business-led and not-for-profit organisation tasked with designing, delivering and operating the new scheme.
Bason has experience working with stakeholders across food and drink and retail supply chains. As chair of FareShare, he oversaw its expansion into the UK’s leading charity tackling food waste by redirecting surplus food from retailers and producers to frontline charities.
Bason was the finance director of Associated British Foods for more than 20 years and also held senior roles at United Biscuits, the global distribution company Bunzl, and the global foodservice business Compass Group. He is currently the chair of the strategic advisory board of Primark, chair of Bloomberg Publishing, and non-executive director of SSE.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “The Deposit Return Scheme is an opportunity to deliver a transformational change in the UK’s circular economy for these drinks containers. Having worked in markets across the world, I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that such schemes can have. However, it is also a complex and challenging undertaking that will only be effective if it is easy for consumers to use, fair for retailers and producers of every size, and trusted by the public. That’s why I will be focused on ensuring that the views and insights of as many people as possible inform how we build the scheme.
“I’ve been impressed by the commitment and deep experience of my colleagues who have already been appointed at UK DMO, and I share their determination to build a scheme that works for everyone. Our goal is clear: bring business and consumers together to prevent billions of bottles and cans from littering our streets, seas and countryside, whilst cutting carbon emissions in the process.”
Bason’s appointment marks another milestone in the establishment of the DMO and in its progress towards the scheme going live in October 2027. Since being appointed by the governments of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland just over three months ago, the DMO has been engaging closely with businesses, trade associations, consumer groups, environmental groups and an array of other stakeholders as it develops the operational blueprint for the scheme.
