Scottish Deposit Return Scheme delayed until at least 2025
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The Scottish Government has announced that the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will be delayed until at least October 2025.
This comes after a the UK Government imposed a number of conditions on the scheme, including the removal of glass and the requirement to align aspects of the scheme with schemes across the UK – none of which exist at the moment or have regulations in place.
Addressing the Scottish Parliament, Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “As of today, it is now clear that we have been left with no other option than to delay the launch of Scotland’s DRS, until October 2025 at the earliest based on the UK Government’s current stated aspirations.
“I remain committed to interoperable DRS schemes across the UK provided that we can work in a spirit of collaboration not imposition. I wrote again last night to the UK Government, to urge ministers to reset a climate of trust and good faith to galvanise and retain the knowledge that has been built in Circularity Scotland and DRS partners in Scotland.
“This Parliament voted for a Deposit Return Scheme. I am committed to a Deposit Return Scheme. Scotland will have a Deposit Return Scheme. It will come later than need be. It will be more limited than it should be. More limited than Parliament voted for.
“These delays and dilutions lie squarely in the hands of UK Government that has sadly seemed so far more intent on sabotaging this parliament than protecting our environment.”
The DRS has been beset by criticism almost from the first with the government and Ms Slater in particular singled out for scorn for rebuffing warnings from industry and forging ahead with plans many said would damage Scotland’s vital drinks trade.
The Federation of Small Businesses’ Highlands & Islands Development Manager, David Richardson, said: "It is clear from the many discussions that I have had with Highlands and Islands members that the importance of recycling is well-understood and supported, as is the road to Net Zero. However, while very well-intentioned, the way the Scottish Government went about implementing DRS was fundamentally flawed.
“In particular, FSB Scotland spent five years questioning the cost, space and time involved, but there seemed to be no real attempt to address our concerns. And as time passed it became increasingly obvious that DRS would damage small producers and retailers.
“Today’s announcement is the final admission that Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme has hit a brick wall and the delay until a UK-wide scheme takes shape will give small producers and retailers, who have been through a very stressful time, a much-needed breathing space.
“What matters now is that we do not rush headlong into a new version of the scheme. Instead, the Scottish and UK Governments should work with each other and with all interested parties, including small businesses, to ensure the successful rollout of a sustainable scheme that works for businesses, consumers and, of course, the environment.”
However, Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has said that the UK Government has undermined devolution by interfering with Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme - delaying the scheme’s launch.
Reacting to the news that the scheme will now launch no earlier than 2025, rather than March next year as planned, Ms Roddick said that the UK Government’s intervention was unacceptable and undemocratic.
She said: “So much time and effort has been put into Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme, and to see it now delayed again until 2025 is bitterly disappointing
“The Scottish Government listened to criticism and acted upon it, and we were on track for a successful launch next year which took into account concerns from small businesses and wider industry.
“For the UK Government to come in and interfere at this stage, causing the scheme a further delay, is sadly just another example of its disregard for devolution and all those who are trying to tackle climate change, including many businesses who have already invested in the things they need to take part in Scotland’s scheme.
“Just like the UK Government’s use of a section 35 order to block the Gender Recognition Bill, this isn’t just about the Deposit Return Scheme, it’s about democracy and decisions made in Scotland being undermined by a government elsewhere.
“It is simply unacceptable and folk across Scotland should be outraged.”
