The Scottish Deposit Return System (DRS) has become the target of political differences, according to Circularity Scotland, which was appointed by the Scottish government in 2021 to administer the first scheme of its kind in the UK. The UK government recently announced that it would allow the Scottish DRS to take place next year, though only for metal drinks cans and plastic drinks bottles. In response, Yousaf wrote to Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him to reinstate the scheme in its original form, while three cabinet ministers said in a letter to Yousaf that there was “nothing to prevent” it being launched in March 2022 without glass.
Interoperability of DRS schemes across the UK is necessary to ensure manufacturers have equal access to sell products across all regions. The exclusion of glass also guarantees consumer choice is not restricted, thereby enabling Scottish companies to avoid a competitive disadvantage. Nonetheless, the omission of glass from the scheme alters the economic model and the environmental benefits it could offer, warn some advocates.
“This scheme and its environmental and business benefits have become the target of negativity and misinformation,” says Circularity Scotland. “Launching in Scotland is an essential vanguard… adopting this approach and avoiding a ‘big bang’ launch makes a lot of sense and is achievable.”
The Scottish government is said to be meeting soon to discuss its next move with regards to the DRS. Not going ahead with the scheme in Scotland could hamper the success of similar schemes elsewhere, according to proponents: “Scotland is a valuable opportunity to prove the concept of a self-funding Deposit Return Scheme, accessible to all producers”, warns Circularity Scotland.
