Scotland delays DRS introduction

Packaging Solutions

In his first key Holyrood speech (18 April), Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf announced that – just four months ahead of its planned implementation date – Scotland’s deposit return scheme would be delayed until March 2024. He went on to say that the additional ten months would be used to work with businesses and Circularity Scotland to address widespread concerns with the scheme.

In comment, Tom Giddings, executive director of Alupro, said: ‘We have continued to voice the views of the aluminium packaging supply chain and shared the expertise of our members when it comes to the intricacies and implementation of Scotland’s deposit return scheme. It is safe to say that the agreed delay will give the government the opportunity to address industry concerns and fix the clear issues with its design.

‘This includes, but isn’t limited to, the scheme’s deposit structure, which must change from the current flat 20p per container to a deposit that varies by container size if we are to minimise collateral economic damage to the aluminium can sector and stop incentivising more plastic bottles on our shelves.

‘To outline the industry’s views on what other critical changes are needed, we recently wrote to ministers detailing the essential elements that must be adopted within a highly functioning DRS. A copy of this letter can be found on our website.’