Deposit return schemes: EAC to hear from packaging sector and experts on how the scheme could be rolled out

The Environmental Audit Committee will be holding the first of its two evidence sessions considering the introduction of deposit return schemes.

A deposit return scheme (DRS) places a small deposit on certain drinks containers which is refunded to the customer when the container is returned at a collection point. The Government has announced that through the Environment Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, they would seek a general power to introduce DRS’. The EAC’s work on this issue comes ahead of a further Government consultation later in the Spring on DRS’.

In this first session on Wednesday, members will be hearing from witnesses across two panels. The first of the two will comprise representatives from packaging materials sectors, including aluminium, plastic and glass. On the second, experts in the waste sector on the scheme’s practicalities.

Witnesses from 14:30

Rick Hindley, Executive Director, Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro)
Barry Turner, Director of Plastic and Flexible Packaging, British Plastics Federation
Dr Nicholas Kirk, Technical Director, British Glass

Witnesses from 15:30

Samantha Harding, Executive Director, Reloop
Lee Marshall, CEO, Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC)
Martin Curtois, External Affairs Director, Veolia