The long-mooted deposit return scheme (DRS) for single-use drinks containers in Scotland has been delayed again – until at least October 2025.
Run by the Scottish Government, the DRS was originally supposed to roll out this summer and was then delayed until March 2024 but the latest postponement has been caused by the UK Government requesting that glass be excluded – to bring it in line with nationwide proposals.
Designed to boost recycling, the scheme would see a refundable-on-return 20p charge on drinks bottles and cans.
If you’re a producer, retailer, wholesaler or work in hospitality, there is an “at a glance” info sheet available on the DRS’s website: depositreturnscheme.zerowastescotland.org.uk
This article first appeared in the July 2023 edition of Fine Food Digest.
