Deposit Return Systems in Asia: A Circular Economy Handbook for Policymakers and Practitioners

Deposit Return Systems in Asia: A Circular Economy Handbook for Policymakers and Practitioners is a practical, Asia-focused guide to designing and scaling beverage container deposit schemes that actually work. Blending global best practice with regional realities, it explains how DRS complements EPR, what deposit levels and container scopes drive high return rates, and how to finance systems through unclaimed deposits, material revenues, and fair producer fees. Through case studies (e.g., Singapore and Vietnam), it shows governance models, retailer roles, RVM and manual collection options, and ways to integrate the informal recycling sector without disrupting livelihoods. Clear policy templates, KPIs, and communication strategies help governments and industry measure impact—litter reduction, rPET supply growth, CO₂ savings—and adapt over time. The result is a step-by-step playbook to move Asian cities from plastic leakage to circular, climate-aligned resource recovery.