DRS administrator welcomes ‘cost-cutting guidance’

07-Nov-2022 - Last updated on 07-Nov-2022 at 12:40 GMT

Thumbs up: government guidance on the deposit return scheme for single-use drinks containers in Scotland has been welcomed by its administer Circularity Scotland (credit: getty/bunhill)

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Circularity Scotland (CS), the scheme administrator for the deposit return scheme (DPS) in Scotland, has welcomed new guidance from the Scottish government that will “significantly reduce the cost of the scheme for industry and consumers”.

The planned DRS demands all drinks producers and any business selling single-use drinks containers in Scotland be required recycle drinks containers, such as bottles and cans. The scheme aims to ensure at least 90% of drinks containers are captured and prevented from becoming waste.

Although the Society for Independent Brewers (SIBA) has urged the government to rethink its latest guidance, CS claimed it will make the process of applying for exemptions clearer, easier and quicker for retailers and will significantly reduce the operational burden of the scheme for a large number of hard-pressed smaller retail outlets in these particularly challenging times.

Vehicle miles reduction

It added the likely change in the number and profile of return points across Scotland is also expected to reduce vehicle miles for collection and contribute to a significantly more environmentally efficient scheme.

The administrator also hailed the introduction of a new Return Point Mapping and Exemption Support service to help retailers identify alternative return points without having to share commercially sensitive information with other retailers. In addition, CS said the guidance clarifies the criteria for environmental health exemptions and the introduction of streamlined evidence and assessment processes to better take into account the challenges facing specialist, foodservice and hospitality retailers.

Accessible and inclusive

Circularity Scotland chief executive David Harris said: “We warmly welcome this significant intervention from the Scottish government. This new guidance will help industry to establish an accessible and inclusive network of return points across Scotland in the most effective and cost-efficient way.

“With just under a year to go until DRS is introduced, these developments are just one element of how we are actively working with industry, government and all stakeholders to deliver a scheme that will work for Scotland, will transform how we recycle in this country and will help preserve our environment for generations to come.”