Proposed changes to the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) have been announced by the government, following the decision to delay the scheme until March 2024.
Earlier this week, First Minister Humza Yousaf announced a delay to the scheme to allow businesses more time to get ready.
Although the changes mostly benefit suppliers and the hospitality sector, one change that will impact retailers is a proposed simplified application process to be made exempt from having to provide a return point.
The proposed changes announced are:
· drinks containers of under 100ml will be excluded, removing miniatures and other smaller containers from the scheme
· products that sell fewer than 5,000 units per year will be excluded, which will particularly benefit craft producers
· all hospitality premises that sell the large majority of their drinks products for consumption on the premises will be exempt from acting as a return point
· the online application process for retailers to apply for an exemption from providing a return point has been simplified
These changes to DRS are subject to approval of the Scottish Parliament.
Announcing the planned changes, Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “Scotland’s deposit return scheme will reduce litter on our streets, massively increase the recycling of drinks containers and help meet our net zero ambitions.
“However, to realise these benefits DRS needs to be delivered in a way that works for businesses, especially for small drinks producers. The changes I have set out will make the scheme easier for industry to deliver – especially for craft producers – while still making sure the vast majority of drinks containers are captured for recycling.”
Slater repeated the call on the UK government to issue an exclusion for the scheme from the Internal Market Act
“To move forward with certainty, the UK Government must stop delaying the long overdue exclusion from the Internal Market Act. This damaging Act was imposed on the Scottish Parliament after Brexit without its consent and creates confusion and uncertainty for businesses.
“After that Act was passed, we engaged in good faith, following the agreed process, and have done so for nearly two years now to agree an exclusion. The UK Government needs to at long last issue an exclusion, and recognise the right of the Scottish Parliament to enact legislation in devolved areas without interference.”
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