Julian Hunt
Non-exective director Exchange for Change
Julian Hunt is a non-executive Director of Exchange for Change, the industry-led organisation responsible for delivering the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme, launching in October 2027. He supports the development of a national system designed to improve recycling rates and reduce packaging waste across the drinks sector. Julian brings over 30 years of experience in the grocery industry, spanning journalism, trade representation, and corporate leadership. He previously served as a director at the Food and Drink Federation and most recently led corporate affairs across Great Britain and Northern Europe for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.
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Oct. 8, 2026
115. Inside the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme with Julian Hunt
After four episodes digging into deposit return schemes, we sit down with Julian Hunt from Exchange for Change to put some of our biggest questions directly to the organisation delivering the UK’s DRS. We discuss why drinks containers were chosen, whether DRS really reduces litter, how the 20p deposit was set, what happens to reverse vending machines at end of life, who is actually paying to get the scheme off the ground, and whether local authorities could lose out as valuable cans and bottles ...
Guest: Julian Hunt