Scottish Deposit Return Scheme

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation still believe questions need to be answered despite the letter that Lorna Slater MSP, Minister of the Circular Economy, sent to the Convener of the Scottish Parliament Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee about the deposit return scheme, which is due for introduction in August 2023.

SGF chief executive Dr Pete Cheema OBE said:

“The letter issued yesterday by the Minister for the Circular Economy to the Convener of the Scottish Parliament Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee is symptomatic of the problems that are being encountered, those being that with just 8 months to go, there are a range of issues either crucially still outstanding or belatedly, ill-thought-out moves being made to start resolving them.

The Deposit Return Scheme Gateway Review: Final Report - which was submitted to the Senior Responsible Owner on 1st June with recommendations for future action - stipulated that within three weeks of the final report, for the need to provide intended actions for addressing each recommendation. Why has it taken until December for the Scottish Government to publish this report when we are so close to go-live? That is not good enough. The operational risks are still outstanding and have not been dealt with.

We have spent significant time with the Government proposing changes and improvements to the scheme that we are still waiting to see enacted by Parliament. Along with this, the convenience industry despite significant efforts to engage are still not being given critical answers in relation to binding commitments on store scheme uplifts, community points, financing and cross over period that is impacting our members ability to plan effectively.

SGF has been and remains fully committed to a fit for purpose, world leading, deposit return scheme.”

Scottish Grocers’ Federation represents the largest number of return point operators in Scotland and are on the board of Circularity Scotland Limited, as well as being the sector lead for over three years in all DRS discussions.