With the UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) set to launch nationwide in October 2027, and the UK DMO (Deposit Management Organisation) named as scheme operator, the challenge for retailers and the government is clear: the DRS can only succeed if the public, supermarkets, and operators trust the system. Central to that trust is the fight against fraud.
For supermarkets—where most returns will occur—selecting reverse vending machines (RVMs) with the most advanced anti-fraud technology is not an option, but a necessity. The credibility and financial health of the DRS depend on it.
Why Robust Anti-Fraud Is Essential
The logic behind the DRS is simple: a deposit is paid at the point of purchase, and refunded only when the correct, eligible container is returned. If fraudsters find ways to game the system—returning more containers than are sold, or using fake or ineligible items—the entire DRS is put at risk. Financial losses, public distrust, and negative headlines could undermine the scheme’s environmental and economic benefits.
That’s why anti-fraud protection can’t be an afterthought. It’s the first line of defence for the DRS operator and every participating retailer.
How Recyclever Sets a New Standard
At Recyclever, we’ve developed and engineered a multi-layered, cutting-edge anti-fraud system for all our RVMs, making us the DRS scheme operator's best ally. Here’s how our technology stands out:
Swap Prevention
We eliminate the loophole that allows an eligible container to be swapped for a non-eligible one—stopping attempts to multiply refunds for a single deposit. Our system ensures that only the original, eligible item is processed.
Material Verification
Barcodes alone are not enough. Our sensors check that every returned container is actually made of PET plastic or aluminium. This stops attempts to claim refunds for ineligible items with copied or fake barcodes.
Movement Detection
Ultra-fast sensors monitor container movement, blocking tricks like using a string to retrieve and re-insert the same item, or quickly reversing the insertion to fool the system. Only genuine, one-way insertions are accepted.
Size Matching
Each container’s length and diameter are measured and compared to the barcode’s reference. If there’s a mismatch, the return is rejected—preventing fraud from items that don’t match the registered product.
Silhouette Recognition
We scan the shape of every container, stopping attempts to re-process already-compacted contents or use lookalike objects such as dummy bottles or cans.
Weight Control
Only empty containers are accepted. Our machines can detect if a product is unopened or still contains liquid, which directly blocks fraudsters from grabbing unpaid products in-store and returning them for cash.
What’s at Stake: Retailer Reputation and Scheme Integrity
No other difference between reverse vending machines is as critical as the strength and completeness of their anti-fraud systems. For supermarkets, the risks are tangible: financial losses, extra administration, and—most importantly—damage to reputation if fraud becomes widespread.
The DRS’s reputation, and ultimately its environmental impact, depend on robust security. By choosing Recyclever’s anti-fraud technology, retailers and the UK DMO can be confident that deposit integrity is protected at every stage.
The Path to a Trusted and Successful DRS Rollout
As October 2027 approaches, the decisions supermarkets make now will shape the future of the UK’s DRS. Investing in advanced anti-fraud RVMs is the most important step toward securing the scheme’s success, winning public trust, and achieving the recycling and sustainability goals the DRS was designed to deliver.
Ready to Secure Your DRS Operations?
If you want to ensure your supermarket is ready for the DRS, and protected against fraud from day one, contact Recyclever for a full demonstration of our anti-fraud innovations. Trust, security, and sustainability—make them the foundation of your DRS strategy.
