UK Government must match Scotland’s ambition on Deposit Return Scheme
It is time for Downing Street to match the ambition of the Scottish Government’s deposit return scheme by including glass, say the Scottish Greens.
The issue was raised by Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell during a Scottish Parliament debate on the scheme, held by the Scottish Conservatives.
Speaking after the debate, the Scottish Greens environment spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP said:
“First the Tories backed a delay to Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme, then they wanted it sped up, now today they are calling for it to be stopped. What a reckless message this sends out to the hundreds of business who have quietly invested millions in the scheme.
“Reverse vending machines are being ordered, product packaging is being re-configured, staff training programmes rolled out, new jobs are being created.
“We are being told to wait for the UK Gov to make a decision on an English scheme which is being kicked down the road to October 2025 at the earliest and won’t include glass. This is despite glass having the biggest carbon impact and causing injuries to people, pets and wildlife as litter. It is time for them to match Scotland’s plans and ambitions.
“I welcome the pragmatic approach that the Scottish Government has taken to address the concerns of small independent retailers and producers. The announcement by Circularity Scotland yesterday addresses the cashflow issues and provides a simple labelling solution for those producing less than 25,000 units a year.
“Registration fees have been waved for those with less than £85k turnover, producer fees have been reduced by 40% and handling fees payable to retailers have been increased to help them adapt to the scheme.
“It is time to reject the Tory scaremongering and join dozens of countries around the world who are helping to save their environment through deposit return schemes. I’m proud it will be Scottish Greens in government delivering Scotland’s first DRS."
