The launch of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will be delayed
until at least October 2025 as a consequence of the UK
Government’s refusal to agree a full exclusion from the Internal
Market Act, Circular Economy Minister has told Parliament.
Last week the UK Government imposed a number of highly
significant 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.
Following consultations with key businesses including producers,
Ministers have concluded that certainty on critical elements of
the scheme cannot be provided to businesses until the UK
Government publishes more detail and therefore Scotland’s deposit
return scheme will not go live until October 2025 at the
earliest.
Addressing Parliament, Circular Economy Minister 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.”
Background
The Scottish Parliament legislated to create a deposit return
scheme including glass in May 2020. The Internal Market Act was
passed in December 2020.
Of the 51 territories and countries operating deposit return
schemes, 45 include glass.
Following correspondence from
the First Minister to the Prime Minister, the UK Government
confirmed on 5 June it would not reconsider the conditions
attached to the Internal Market Act exclusion.
The First Minister and Circular Economy Minister met with
businesses on 7 June to discuss the implications of the UK
Government’s decision.
The conditions for an exclusion include a maximum cap on deposit
levels agreed across all nations, one administration fee to cover
all schemes across the UK, one barcode for use across all parts
of the UK and one logo for all schemes.
