A Scottish minister has accused the UK authorities of "sabotage" after it dominated Scotland's deposit return scheme (DRS) might solely go forward if glass bottles have been faraway from the environmental initiative. 

Lorna Slater, who's co-leader of the Scottish Greens, stated ministers at Holyrood must "look very seriously at where this leaves the viability" of the plan, which goals to extend recycling of single-use drinks containers.

It would see 20p added to the worth of such bottles and cans, to be refunded to individuals who return them to a store or enterprise that provide them.

First Minister Humza Yousaf has stated it could be a "democratic outrage" for the federal government to solely permit DRS to go forward with out glass.

He criticised Conservative ministers on Twitter for "demanding" glass be dropped from the Scottish scheme, regardless of laws handed by Holyrood particularly together with this.

The scheme, which begins in March 2024, can now solely embrace PET plastic bottles and aluminium and metal cans.

With comparable schemes in the remainder of the UK not because of come into impact till 2025, Scottish ministers had been compelled to seek an exemption from the Internal Market Act, amid considerations commerce between the 4 nations might be impacted.

Ms Slater stated: "Once again the UK government has shown utter disregard for devolution.

"Scottish ministers acquired the UK authorities's choice letter at 10pm on a Friday night time, greater than 12 hours after its contents [were] briefed to press. This is treating the Scottish parliament with contempt.

"Despite discussions over the last two years, this is an eleventh-hour attempt by the UK government to sabotage Scotland's deposit return scheme by forcing us to remove glass bottles.

"This is at odds with all of the proof that claims the largest advantages, economically, financially and environmentally, are from together with glass."

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A UK authorities spokesperson stated: "The drinks business has raised considerations concerning the Scottish authorities's deposit return scheme differing from plans in the remainder of the UK, ensuing within the Scottish authorities reviewing and pausing their scheme earlier this yr.

"We have listened to these concerns and that is why we have accepted the Scottish government's request for a UK Internal Market (UKIM) exclusion on a temporary and limited basis to ensure the Scottish government's scheme aligns with planned schemes for the rest of the UK."

The spokesperson added: "Deposit return schemes need to be consistent across the UK and this is the best way to provide a simple and effective system.

"A system with the identical guidelines for the entire UK will improve recycling assortment charges and scale back litter - in addition to minimise disruption to the drinks business and guarantee simplicity for customers."