Exchange for Change Publishes First Certified Reverse Vending Machine List

Exchange for Change, the industry-led organisation delivering the UK's Deposit Return Scheme, has published its first list of certified reverse vending machines, giving retailers a clear view of which machines are approved to operate within the scheme ahead of its 1 October 2027 launch. Each machine on the list is assessed against 77 separate requirements, covering container identification and acceptance, fraud prevention, connectivity with scheme systems, accessibility and secure transaction data handling. Certification is being carried out by an independent specialist assessment provider, and Exchange for Change said the list will be updated as additional machines are certified. Alongside the list, the organisation published new RVM Artwork Guidance setting out approved branding, signage and consumer instructions, intended to create a consistent experience across return points and help consumers identify where they can return containers and redeem the 20p deposit. "Publishing the first list of certified RVMs is an important step in helping retailers prepare for the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme in October 2027," said Russell Davies, chief executive officer of Exchange for Change. He added that the list is "designed to help retailers of all sizes make informed decisions ahead of the scheme launch, while the new Artwork Guidance provides retailers with approved branding that can be adopted alongside their own." Travis Way, managing director at RVM specialist EcoVend, part of Reconomy, said retailers should now be assessing their store footprint, how returns will fit into day-to-day operations and whether staff are trained and ready. For vending and unattended retail operators, certification turns the DRS from a policy question into an equipment decision: machines outside the approved list cannot serve as return points, so operators weighing RVM placements, service contracts or retail partnerships now have a defined starting point. Source: Refreshment (FoodBev Media) — https://www.refreshmentmag.com/post/exchange-for-change-publishes-first-certified-reverse-vending-machine-list