Retailers across the UK will soon find it easier to install reverse vending machines (RVMs) in preparation for the UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Amendments to planning legislation are expected to come into force on 9 April 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.
The new Class CA provisions allow RVMs to be placed within a shop’s curtilage, including inside the store, immediately outside, or under canopies and other enclosures, without the need for full planning permission in many cases. There are still limits to ensure installations are practical and safe: machines can cover no more than 80 square metres, reach a maximum height of 4 metres, and if installed into shop walls, must not project more than 2 metres.
Travis Way, Managing Director at EcoVend, the RVM experts and a brand by international circular economy specialists Reconomy, said: “We welcome the decision to allow retailers to install RVMs without requiring full planning permission. This is a positive step forward, making the journey toward preparing for the UK DRS more straightforward and accessible. This approach particularly supports smaller retailers by reducing the administrative burden associated with installation. That said, it remains essential that retailers have clear guidance on the steps needed to be fully prepared for the UK DRS, which comes into effect in October 2027.”
With these planning reforms, the focus now shifts from policy development to practical implementation, giving businesses more flexibility to invest in infrastructure and prepare for the new recycling system.
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