Scotland’s deposit return scheme: Recycling initiative ‘cannot go forward as deliberate’, minister says

Scotland’s bottles and cans deposit return scheme “cannot go ahead as currently planned”, the minister in command of the recycling initiative has mentioned.

Lorna Slater, the Scottish authorities’s round economic system minister, is now searching for an “urgent discussion” with the UK authorities in an try and discover a manner ahead.

The Scottish Greens co-leader mentioned Westminster’s “11th hour intervention” to alter the parameters of the DRS – which included the removing of glass – had added uncertainty to sure components of the scheme.

Speaking on the Scottish Parliament, Ms Slater mentioned: “It is clear that Scotland’s deposit return scheme, in the scope and form passed by this parliament, cannot go ahead as currently planned.

“Over the final 10 days, and proper now, we’re urgently establishing to what extent there’s a manner ahead for a modified scheme, its scope, phrases and timescales.

“That crucially depends on whether the UK government can provide timely, stable and reliable assurances on basic operational matters, such as trading standards, the 20p deposit and producer fees.

“It additionally is determined by to what extent there’s business assist for an alternate scheme.”

The controversial scheme – the primary of its variety within the UK – was as a consequence of begin in August however was pushed again to March 2024 after Humza Yousaf was installed as first minister.

The scheme will see customers north of the border pay an additional 20p when buying drinks in a can or a bottle, with the deposit returned when the empty container is introduced again for recycling.

Industry figures have argued it’ll impose probably deadly prices on their companies and create a commerce barrier between Scotland and the remainder of the UK. But environmental campaigners say it’ll lower carbon emissions and cut back litter.

With comparable schemes in the remainder of the UK not as a consequence of come into impact till 2025, the Scottish authorities sought an exemption from the Internal Market Act – which regulates commerce within the totally different components of the UK following Brexit.

Westminster granted a limited exemption last month, however stipulated glass couldn’t be a part of it.

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First Minister Mr Yousaf warned that scheme was in “grave danger” and wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, calling for glass to be included. The request was knocked again to make sure “simplicity and interoperability”.

Environmental campaigners have known as on the primary minister to “hold his nerve” and proceed with the scheme with cans and plastic bottles.

Ms Slater, the MSP for Lothian, beforehand admitted that the business has “invested hundreds of millions of pounds” in direction of the scheme however has dodged questions over who would be liable for compensation if it fails to come to fruition.

Circularity Scotland – the corporate set as much as run the DRS north of the border – has already made clear it might “absolutely” go forward with the scheme with out glass bottles being included.

Ms Slater mentioned each she and Mr Yousaf can be assembly with business representatives on Wednesday to debate “whether it is feasible” to go forward with an alternate scheme with out glass.

Ms Slater added: “The UK is not acting with good faith here to support Scotland’s scheme going forward and is in fact doing everything possible to undermine it.

“Now, myself and Circularity Scotland are how we are able to take an alternate scheme ahead in Scotland, as a result of the one which this parliament handed has been shot down by Westminster.

“We are looking at an alternative scheme and I will report back to parliament as soon as I possibly can on what that alternative may be.”