Scottish Government's Deposit Return Scheme Delayed Amid Concerns and UK Exemption Demand
The Scottish government's deposit return scheme (DRS) for single-use drinks containers, which was set to start in March, has been delayed due to concerns from the drinks industry and UK government's demand that glass be exempt from the scheme.
The UK government agreed for the Scottish DRS to go ahead on a temporary and limited basis, with the exemption from internal market rules lasting until other planned schemes are in place in the rest of the UK.
The Scottish government wants to include glass in the scheme, but the UK government says it wants to ensure the scheme "aligns" with plans in other nations.
Humza Yousaf, the first minister of Scotland, has accused the UK government of sabotaging the scheme and undermining devolution.
The Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater has said the Scottish Parliament has been "treated with contempt" by the decision to exclude glass.
The UK government said the scheme needs to be consistent across the UK to increase recycling collection rates and reduce litter.
The Scottish deposit return scheme needs an exemption from the rules of the UK internal market act in order to work effectively.
The Scottish government has asked for this exemption and it has been granted by the UK government, but with strings attached.
The conditions include the exclusion of glass and the Scottish government is wondering whether their proposals are still viable.
The UK government is acting on a practical basis, to ensure any Scottish scheme aligns with future developments in other parts of the UK.
Some businesses welcome this intervention, while others may have an axe to grind against the government.
The Scottish government sees this as a power play by the UK government and an outrageous interference in devolved decision making.
The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) has said the "only viable option now" was for a UK-wide initiative to be launched across all four nations in 2025.
However, brewer Dougal Sharp of Innis and Gunn says the uncertainty over the scheme makes things "brutal and impossible to plan" and that businesses have faced enough uncertainty in recent years.