The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has raised serious concerns in response to the Welsh Government’s decision to create its own Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) specifically for Wales, instead of delivering a UK-wide scheme.
The announcement from the Welsh Government means there will be two separate schemes in the UK, working on different timelines and management systems. Under the Welsh scheme, there will be a greater focus on the reuse of materials.
The ACS said it is extremely concerned the Welsh Government is doubly down on insisting on a different approach to a DRS than the rest of UK.
“A unified approach across the UK is best for consumers, retailers and producers, and has the best chance of achieving meaningful change in recycling rates. The Welsh Government’s separate approach will be confusing for everyone involved and disruptive to the delivery of DRS across the rest of UK,” said James Lowman, ACS CEO.
The Welsh Government have not set out its intended timescales for the introduction of its own Deposit Return Scheme, meaning that it is possible that the rest of the UK will have a scheme in place before Wales, the ACS added.
Moreover, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has expressed surprise and some concerns at the Welsh government’s decision to press ahead with its own deposit return scheme for bottles and cans and not to join a UK-wide DRS.
The Fed’s National President Mo Razzaq has further warned that this decision by Wales - coupled with its intention to include glass in its scheme - would cause unnecessary confusion.
He commented: “While we applaud Wales’s desire to make its deposit return scheme a success, we would prefer to see one single scheme for the UK. Interoperability across the UK is vital, so that anyone buying a drinks can in England will have the confidence that they can return it in Wales.”
Jenni Hume, UK and Ireland Director at Reloop, a company working to support the introduction of deposit systems for beverage containers across the UK and Ireland, hopes to see clarity and tight timelines from the Welsh Government imminently.
“Reloop has long supported the Welsh Government’s ambition for a deposit return scheme that includes glass and reuse as that has the most environmental benefits. We understand the complexities facing the Welsh Government and frustrations that the UK Government would not work with the Welsh Government to achieve this.
“It is now up to Defra, Daera, Scottish Government and industry to ensure that the deposit return scheme moves along at pace for England, Northern Ireland and Scotland with no further delays.”
Reacting to the announcement, The British Retail Consortium, The Food and Drink Federation, The Association of Convenience Stores and The Industry Council for Packaging and Environment have issued the following statement:
The decision today by the Welsh Government to step away from the four nation approach to the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is extremely disappointing. With industry preparing to invest billions in a UK wide DRS system, on top of new costs arising from the Chancellor’s budget, it is essential that any approach to DRS is aligned across all four nations and delivers improved recycling rates and a reduction in litter across the UK.
Today’s announcement will only increase uncertainty for the scheme and cause confusion among consumers, who may feel cheated by their inability to redeem a deposit and perplexed by the inconsistent approaches just a few miles across the border. Industry will need time to understand the full implications and will need to see the full detail of Welsh Government’s approach. However, it seems highly likely this announcement and the uncertainty it brings will make the already very challenging 2027 implementation deadline even harder to deliver for England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
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