A troubled deposit return scheme (DRS) in Scotland for plastic drinks bottles and cans stands in danger of collapse after the British government said it can only be implemented if it excludes glass containers – a stipulation that, if agreed to, would render the scheme substantially less viable.
The UK and Scottish governments appear to be in deadlock over the issue. The first minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, has written to the British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, saying that the UK government’s decision effectively to remove glass containers from the scheme has put the whole plan in “grave danger”.
If it goes live as planned in March 2024, the deposit return scheme will see a 20p charge incorporated in the price of certain drinks, which would be refunded to consumers on the return of the bottle or can in a bid to increase recycling. It was originally due to be introduced in July 2022.
Why has the UK government made this decision?
Cynics might say it was sheer bloody-mindedness backed by a brutal determination to further embarrass the SNP, after the recent resignation and revelations about former first minister Nicola Sturgeon. Indeed, Yousaf has said that the UK secretary of state for Scotland, Alister Jack, “simply wants to sink” the deposit return scheme.
This story is from the June 06, 2023 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the June 06, 2023 edition of The Independent.
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