The Scottish government’s plan to implement a scheme for the recycling of drinks containers has been delayed until October 2025. This is due to the UK government ruling that it should not include glass. According to the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), the delay will provide hospitality businesses with the “breathing space they need to concentrate on the more pressing issues.” However, the SLTA has also warned that the appropriate next steps must be taken without being influenced by politics.
The Managing Director of SLTA, Colin Wilkinson, expressed support for a deposit return scheme (DRS) that is practical and feasible for both businesses and consumers. Wilkinson stated that over five years ago, the SLTA and other hospitality and retail groups had advised the Scottish government that any DRS should be UK-wide and exclude glass. Additionally, Wilkinson highlighted that a standardised deposit charge, bar codes, and labeling should be implemented across the entire country.
Although the current change and delay were considered a victory for common sense, Wilkinson admitted that it was “quite staggering” how much money businesses had invested in preparing for a scheme that was ultimately altered and delayed. He emphasized that DRS should be a force for good and a useful tool for businesses. Unfortunately, it has been reduced to a “tawdry political battle.”
Wilkinson concluded that the Scottish and UK governments, along with the industry, need to take a grown-up approach to ensure that the next steps are based on what is best for businesses and consumers. Politics should not play a role in making these decisions, he added. Businesses deserve better than this and must be appropriately supported when implementing new measures and policies.
