Responding to the Welsh Government's decision to include
glass in a separate DRS, the British Retail Consortium, British
Soft Drinks Association, British Beer and Pub Association and
Natural Source Water Association said:
“We welcome confirmation from the Welsh Government on its
intention to align the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme in
Wales for plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans on the same
timeline as England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as
indicating a change in its initial approach to glass.
“However, we are disappointed that despite productive engagement
over recent weeks, the Welsh Government is still committed to
forging its own path by including single-use glass drinks bottles
from October 2027, a move which will significantly increase the
cost and complexity of developing such a scheme while failing to
deliver the environmental benefits a well-run DRS should
deliver.
"We remain committed to identifying more effective and
proportionate solutions and are open to exploring an
industry-led, large-scale reuse trial in Wales that has the
potential to deliver greater long-term sustainability outcomes
while not undermining the UK-wide DRS.
“Although we have concerns about the small amount of detail
developed so far and the tight timelines to which industry to is
required to work, we remain committed to developing an approach
with the Welsh Government which delivers for industry and the
people of Wales.”
