Chief Operating Officer at DRS International
Gordon McGuigan is DRS International’s Chief Operating Officer and a specialist in the operational delivery of deposit return schemes (DRS). His work focuses on translating DRS policy and scheme design into practical, functioning operations across complex national environments. Gordon brings insights grounded in direct delivery experience across multiple markets, including Scotland, Romania, and Ireland.
Gordon’s work gives him a practical view of how DRS operations perform before, during, and after go-live. Since moving into the DRS sector in 2022, Gordon has worked across:
- Scheme implementation
- Operational design
- Supplier management
- Organisational structure
- Stakeholder coordination
- Post-launch optimisation
His work covers both pre-launch mobilisation and live-scheme business-as-usual (BAU) environments, giving him a detailed understanding of what it takes to move a deposit return scheme from concept to operational reality.
Scheme Implementation Experience
Gordon’s DRS experience began in Scotland, where he spent a year working within a scheme operations team. In July 2023, he was appointed interim COO for RetuRO in Romania, supporting the scheme through an exceptionally challenging five-month window to reach go-live. His role involved helping to drive operational strategy, delivery planning, and implementation during one of the most demanding phases of scheme development.
Post-Launch Operational Leadership
In July 2024, Gordon was appointed interim COO for Re-turn in Ireland, where he helped develop the foundations of the organisation’s operational department in the post-go-live BAU environment. His work included supporting stakeholder management, strengthening operational structures, and leading strategic business projects.
Since May 2025, he has continued to support Re-turn’s operations team, helping design and implement specialist DRS projects focused on increasing participation and improving redemption rates.
European DRS Alliance Role
In early 2025, Gordon was appointed as a working group lead for the Operations Forum of the European DRS Alliance (EDRSA), which brings together national DRS operators for beverage packaging from the EU, EEA/EFTA, and international markets.
Through this role, he contributes to cross-market operational knowledge sharing and the development of best practices across the DRS sector.
Waste and Recycling Sector Background
Before specialising in deposit return schemes, Gordon spent around a decade in the waste sector, progressing from trainee operations manager to senior management roles across waste recovery, landfill, and recycling sites.
This background gives him a strong grounding in the practical realities of resource management, infrastructure, logistics, and operational delivery.
Expertise at DRS International
At DRS International, Gordon brings together scheme-level experience, operational leadership, and waste-sector expertise to help businesses and scheme stakeholders understand what DRS implementation requires in practice.
With an impressive track record of helping deliver schemes across Ireland, Romania, and Scotland, Gordon has become a trusted advisor and industry expert in DRS.