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Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Litter Survey

Tender Overview

LOCATION

United Kingdom, United Kingdom

VALUE

£240,000

DEADLINE

February 06, 2026 at 00:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

73210000

REFERENCE

005818-2026

Project Timeline

Contact Information

View Original

Original Tender Description

The UK Government is introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers, launching in October 2027. Under the scheme, consumers will pay a small, refundable deposit on single use PET and metal drinks containers, which is returned when the container is brought back to a return point. The aim is to reduce litter, increase recycling rates, and generate high quality recycled materials. The latest published policy statement from May 2025 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/deposit-return-scheme-for-drinks-containers-policy-statement/deposit-return-scheme-for-drinks-containers-policy-statement?utm_source=copilot.com Defra is commissioning a national litter composition study for 2027 to update the 2020 study. This new evidence is needed to set a pre-launch baseline to evaluate the impact of the DRS and to support wider Circular Economy policy areas including plastics, vapes, litter, and packaging reforms. The study will provide a robust, statistically valid picture of what is being littered across England and Northern Ireland and in what quantities, forming the foundation for future policy assessment. he commissioned service will replicate the 2020 methodology while expanding the scope to include new item classifications - particularly detailed categorisation of DRS in scope and out-of-scope drinks containers by size and material, and additional categories for vapes, plastics, and other priority items. Suppliers will design and deliver a national fieldwork programme, collect and sort litter samples, and produce a full dataset and analytical report. Key outputs include national estimates of litter composition and specific breakdowns of DRS eligible container litter by count and volume, establishing a clear pre DRS baseline.
⚠️

MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • No specific mandatory exclusion grounds are detailed in this preliminary market engagement notice.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Possess expertise in research consultancy services (as per CPV category 73210000).
  • Be capable of conducting a national litter composition study across England and Northern Ireland.
🔧

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to replicate the methodology of the 2020 national litter composition study.
  • Capability to expand the scope of item classifications to include:
  • Detailed categorization of Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in-scope drinks containers by size and material.
  • Detailed categorization of DRS out-of-scope drinks containers by size and material.
  • Additional categories for vapes.
  • Additional categories for plastics.
  • Additional categories for other priority items.
  • Ability to design and deliver a national fieldwork programme.
  • Capability to collect litter samples.
  • Capability to sort litter samples.
  • Ability to produce a full dataset from the collected data.
  • Ability to produce a comprehensive analytical report.
  • Capability to provide national estimates of litter composition.
  • Capability to provide specific breakdowns of DRS eligible container litter by count.
  • Capability to provide specific breakdowns of DRS eligible container litter by volume.
  • Ability to establish a clear pre-DRS baseline.
  • Capacity to deliver the commissioned service within a 12-month contract duration.
💰

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to deliver the service within an estimated contract value of 240,000 EUR.
📋

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Submit any required preliminary market engagement responses by the deadline: 2026-02-06T00:00:00.
  • Participate in the preliminary market engagement event as invited by Defra.

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HTM
Planning Notice
Administrative Documents005818-2026.html
Summary:
Defra is seeking suppliers to conduct a national litter composition study in England and Northern Ireland by 2027, replicating the 2020 methodology with expanded scope for DRS containers, vapes, and plastics, to establish a pre-launch baseline for the Deposit Return Scheme.
DOC
OCDS Record
OCDS Data005818-2026_ocds_record.json
Summary:
This tender seeks a supplier to conduct a national litter composition study in England and Northern Ireland by 2027, replicating the 2020 methodology with expanded scope for DRS-related items, vapes, and plastics, to establish a pre-launch baseline for the Deposit Return Scheme and inform wider Circular Economy policies.
DOC
OCDS Release Package
OCDS Data005818-2026_ocds_release.json
Summary:
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs seeks a supplier to conduct a national litter composition study in England and Northern Ireland, establishing a pre-launch baseline for the 2027 Deposit Return Scheme and supporting broader Circular Economy policies through fieldwork, data collection, and analytical reporting.
PDF
Official PDF Version
Administrative Documents005818-2026_official.pdf
Summary:
This preliminary market engagement notice invites suppliers to an event for a national litter composition study in England and Northern Ireland, aiming to establish a pre-launch baseline for the UK's Deposit Return Scheme by replicating a 2020 methodology with expanded scope.

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65
Good

Tender Quality Score

This tender, currently in planning as a preliminary market engagement, provides a clear project description and requirements but suffers from critical omissions regarding evaluation criteria, procedure type, and electronic submission capabilities.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance60/100

Legal compliance is moderate due to the absence of a clearly defined procedure type and the tender's reveal date. While CPV codes are appropriate and no disputes are noted, these fundamental omissions are significant, even for a preliminary notice.

Missing procedure type
Missing reveal date
Clarity70/100

The tender's description and AI-extracted requirements are commendably clear and detailed, outlining the study's purpose, methodology, and outputs. However, the complete absence of specified evaluation criteria significantly detracts from overall clarity.

Missing evaluation criteria
Completeness65/100

While basic information, financial details, timeline, and documents are provided, the tender is incomplete due to the critical absence of evaluation criteria and a defined procedure type. Key fields like 'Liable Person' are also empty.

Missing evaluation criteria
Missing procedure type
Fairness55/100

Fairness is significantly impacted by the lack of specified evaluation criteria, which is crucial for transparent and objective assessment. The absence of an e-submission option also creates a barrier to equal access for potential bidders.

Missing evaluation criteria
No e-submission option
Practicality60/100

Practicality is hampered by the lack of electronic submission, which is a standard expectation in modern procurement. While contract dates and duration are clear, the absence of a direct URL for tender documents is also a minor drawback.

No e-submission option
No direct URL for tender documents
Data Consistency85/100

Data consistency is generally good, with logical dates and no noted disputes or suspensions. Minor inconsistencies exist with empty 'Type', 'Procedure', and 'Liable Person' fields, but core data is sound.

'Type', 'Procedure', and 'Liable Person' fields are empty/None
Sustainability75/100

The tender scores well on sustainability due to its core objective of supporting the Deposit Return Scheme and wider Circular Economy policies, inherently promoting environmental goals. However, it lacks explicit social or innovation criteria within the procurement process itself.

No explicit social criteria
No explicit innovation focus

Strengths

Clear and detailed description of the project and requirements.
Estimated value, contract duration, and start date are clearly specified.
Relevant CPV code assigned, indicating the service type.
Strong inherent focus on environmental sustainability through the DRS initiative.
Documents are available and summarized, providing context.

Concerns

Critical absence of evaluation criteria, hindering transparency and fairness.
Missing formal procedure type and tender reveal date.
Lack of electronic submission capability, a significant practical drawback.
No explicit social or innovation criteria integrated into the tender process.
The requirement to 'replicate the 2020 methodology' could potentially limit competition.

Recommendations

1. Clearly define and publish comprehensive evaluation criteria to ensure transparency and fairness.
2. Specify the formal procurement procedure type and the tender's reveal date for full legal compliance.
3. Implement an electronic submission platform to facilitate broader and more equitable participation.

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B
Tender Quality Score
65/ 100 · Good

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