New guidance hailed as ‘significant intervention’ on deposit return scheme

A “significant intervention” from the Scottish Government will reduce the costs involved with the deposit return scheme, the organisation implementing the initiative has insisted.

Circularity Scotland chief executive David Harris also said minister Lorna Salter is “considering industry’s concerns” about the scheme – which is due to come into force next August.

It will see shoppers pay a 20p deposit any time they buy a drink in a can or bottle – however industry leaders warned charges associated with the scheme could mean consumers having to pay as much as 30p more.

Blair Bowman, the whisky consultant and broker responsible for the letter, warned some smaller drinks firms might stop selling their products in Scotland because of the additional costs and paperwork.

He said: “I’ve already had phone calls with producers here who are heartbroken that they are actually considering stopping selling their products in Scotland, their home market, because of this system.”

But Circularity Scotland has now said new guidance will “significantly reduce the cost of the scheme for industry and consumers”.

More information is to be provided to producers in the coming weeks, but Mr Harris said: “We warmly welcome this significant intervention from the Scottish Government.

“We have been working closely with the minister and her team, as well as Zero Waste Scotland, to agree an approach and this new guidance will help industry to establish an accessible and inclusive network of return points across Scotland in the most effective and cost-efficient way.

“We also welcome the minister’s indication that she is considering industry’s concerns around online takeback and her commitment to provide further detail on this in the coming weeks.

“With just under a year to go until DRS (deposit return scheme) is introduced, these developments are just one element of how we are actively working with industry, government and all stakeholders to deliver a scheme that will work for Scotland, will transform how we recycle in this country and will help preserve our environment for generations to come.”